Venue:
Cal Poly Pomona Kellogg Gym 3801 W Temple Ave, Pomona, CA
LA Open Academy
COACHES /
PLAYERS
(COMING SOON)
Meet Some of Our
top Players
Koki Niwa (JP)
Japanese Table Tennis Prodigy – Known for creativity, flair, and unpredictability on the world stage.
Rating 2800
🥇 2010 Youth Olympic Champion – Rose to fame early with international success.
🏓 2012 Olympic Team Silver Medalist – Key player in Japan’s historic podium finish in London.
🎩 Master of Spin & Touch – Left-handed with unique shot selection and dazzling wrist control.
🌍 Top 10 ITTF Career High Ranking – Former World No. 5; consistent threat in Pro Tours and World Championships.
✨ Fan Favorite Worldwide – Celebrated for entertaining style and bold playmaking.
Yuya Oshima (JP)
Japanese Doubles Specialist – Renowned for elite men’s and mixed doubles performance on the world stage.
Rating 2800
🥇 2017 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals Doubles Champion (with Masataka Morizono).
🥈 2015 & 2017 World Championships Silver Medalist – Men’s Doubles runner-up with Morizono.
🚀 Fast, Explosive Play – Known for aggressive forehand topspins and lightning footwork.
🏓 ITTF Top 20 Career Ranking – Maintained strong international presence across Pro Tour events.
👊 Team Japan Mainstay – Key figure in Japan’s national team across multiple global events.
Ma JinBao
Team USA Star – Currently ranked #64 in the WTT World Rankings.
🏆 3× LA Open Champion – Dominated in 2022,2024 & 2025 Open Singles.
🥇 2023 US Open Champion | 🥈 2024 Runner-Up.
⚔️ Defeated World #16 Anton Källberg – At 2024 WTT Star Contender Ljubljana.
🥉 2023 Pan Am Bronze (Team) | 🥇 2021 888 Team Champs Gold.
🚀 Explosive Forehand & Fearless Style – A crowd favorite and rising international force.
📈 USATT Rating: 2777
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Zhou Xin
Head Coach
Zhou Xin is a professional table tennis player and full-time coach with a distinguished international and domestic career. He was a member of the Chinese National Team (2005–2008) and represented Team USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Zhou has competed in professional leagues across China, Sweden, and Turkey. In recognition of his coaching excellence, he was named USATT Coach of the Year in 2012.
🏆 Notable Achievements
2022 US Open Men’s Singles – Silver
2022 US National Championships Men’s Doubles – Bronze
2022 Butterfly Puerto Rico Open Teams – Gold
2022 LA Open Singles – Bronze
2021 US National Men’s Singles – Gold
2021 888 Teams Championships – Gold.
Dimitrij Ovtcharov
Dimitrij Ovtcharov, born September 2, 1988, in Kyiv, is a Ukrainian-born German table tennis star. Known for his explosive backhand and signature serves, he moved to Germany in 1992. A 6-time Olympic medalist (Silver: 2008, 2020; Bronze: 2012, 2016, 2020), he reached World No. 1 in early 2018.
He won the 2017 World Cup and 10 European Championship golds. International wins include Indian, Korean, and German Opens. A 5-time Europe Top-16 champion and 5x Champions League winner. Style: Right-handed, aggressive backhand, using Butterfly gear.
He now lives in Düsseldorf with wife Jenny Mellström and their two children. Blade: Innerforce ALC.
Tao WenZhang
Tao Wengzhang is a nationally recognized table tennis coach and elite player with over a decade of experience. Known for developing top U.S. athletes—including Olympian Nikhil Kumar—he has served as a USA National Team Coach and earned USA Table Tennis’s top coaching awards twice.
Tao combines technical expertise with a passion for youth development, coaching over 20 national team players and mentoring juniors at international camps.
2020 USA Table Tennis National Coach of the Year2016 Mark Nordby Development Coach of the Year, Personal coach of Olympian Nikhil Kumar, Victor Xie (U19 Top 2), and Austin Lo (U15 National Team) 2016 US Open Doubles Champion2014 US Open Men’s Singles Champion2013 US Open U21 Men’s Singles Champion
Kou Lei
Kou Lei (born 1987, Beijing → Ukraine → now based in Mountain View, CA)
Playing Style: Right-handed, shakehand-grip attacker.
Peak Ranking: ITTF World No. 20 (Apr 2017); No. 54 (Dec 2020).
National Titles: 14-time Ukrainian champion.
Club Success: Multiple European league titles in Spain, Belgium, and Poland.
Major Medals:
Bronze – 2014 European Championships, 2015 European Games
Silver – 2017 World Team Championships
Champion – 2018 Oman Open
U.S. Open Record: Men’s Singles champion (2021, 2022); Men’s Doubles champion (2022).
USATT Rating: Peaked at 2864; ~2810 as of mid-2025.
League Play: Competes in Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) in the United States.
Current Role: Head coach, Kou Lei Table Tennis Club, Mountain View, CA.
Jishan Liang
Born in Tianjin, China | 🇺🇸 Resides in Cary, NC, USA
🏓 Left-handed, shakehand grip | Coach & Player at NC International Table Tennis (NCITT)
🥇 2024 Pan Am Championships – Gold (Men’s Team), 🥉 Bronze (Mixed Doubles)
🥉 2023 Pan Am Games – Bronze (Men’s Team) | 🥈 2022 Pan Am Champs – Silver (Men’s Team)
🌍 2024 Mixed Team World Cup (Chengdu) – 8th Place
🏆 Multiple Titles – US Open (Doubles, Team), US Nationals (Singles & Doubles), WTT Feeder Doubles (Fort Lauderdale, Amman, Corpus Christi)
🏅 Hall of Fame Cup & National Team Trial Champion
🎓 2× College National Champion – Singles, Doubles, and Team
🔥 4× Westchester Open Champion (Consecutive)
📈 USATT Rating: 2763 | 🌐 ITTF Peak Rank: #130, WTT Mixed Doubles Peak: Top 50
👨🏫 Elite Coach – Trains U11–U19 National Champs & Olympians
Kanamitsu Koyo
Koyo Kanamitsu (born 6 May 2000, Okayama, Japan)
Playing Style: Right-handed, shakehand-grip attacker.
Peak ITTF Ranking: World No. 149 (Oct 2019).
Major International Win:
Under-21 Men’s Singles Champion – 2017 Zagreb ITTF Challenge Series.
2024 U.S. Open Mixed Doubles Champion (with Minami Ando).
U.S. Achievements:
2024 JOOLA LA Open – Open Doubles Champion (with Taehyun Kim).
League Play: Active competitor in Major League Table Tennis (MLTT).
Tournament Participation: Regular competitor in LA Open and other U.S. national tournaments.
USATT Rating: Current ~2728 (peak 2739).
Playing Background: Originally from Okayama, Japan, Kanamitsu rose through Japan’s junior ranks before competing internationally, bringing a dynamic attacking style to both singles and doubles events.
Nikhil Kumar
Nikhil Kumar (born Jan 1, 2003 – San Jose, CA, USA)
Style: Left-handed attacker
USATT Rating: Current ~2723 | Peak 2779
Major Titles:
2022 U.S. National Men’s Singles Champion
2023 U.S. Open Singles & Mixed Doubles Champion
2025 U.S. National Mixed Doubles Champion (w/ Sally Moyland)
2019 Pan American Games Team Gold
International Play: Competed at Tokyo 2020 Olympics; 2019 Pan America Cup quarterfinalist
League: Active in Major League Table Tennis (MLTT)
World Ranking: Around #429 (Feb 2025)
A UC Berkeley student and USA Table Tennis board member, he’s known for his left-handed, attacking style and leadership. He continues to train and represent the U.S. globally.
Kai Zhang
Kai Zhang (Originally from Beijing; now based in Westchester, NY)
Playing Style: Right-handed, two‑winged attacker
USATT Rating: Current ~2718 | Peak ~2721
Major Achievements:
Winner of multiple Westchester Open titles during 2015–2018
Consistent high finisher in regional Northeast and May Open tournaments
WTT/ITTF Ranking: Around #741 as of June 2025
Professional League Play:
Active player in Major League Table Tennis (MLTT), representing the Carolina Gold Rush franchise
Known as “Cobra” Kai Zhang, celebrated for his aggressive and dynamic play; he helped lead his team to the 2025 MLTT ChampionshipHe also led his team at the 2025 USATT Northeast Regional Championships. Using a Butterfly Viscaria blade, his combination of power and precision makes him a respected figure nationally and internationally.
Sean Zhang
Sean (Xiang Jing) Zhang
Playing Style: Right-handed attacker
USATT Rating: Current 2649 | Peak 2762
Major Titles & Achievements:
2023 LA Open – Open Singles Champion (def. Eugene Wang in final)
2024 USATT Pacific Regional – Men’s Singles Champion (undefeated run)
Multiple regional open titles in California, including San Diego Open
Former U.S. Nationals medalist in team and doubles events
Consistent top finisher in high-level U.S. tournaments since 2021
International Play:
2025 ITTF Pan American Cup – advanced from prelims to main draw
Represented U.S. in ITTF/WTT events, with peak global ranking around #450 (2025)
League Play: Active competitor in Major League Table Tennis (MLTT)
Coaching: High-level coach at OCTTA and California Table Tennis Club
Taimu Arinobu
Nationality: Japan
Playing Style & Equipment: Shakehand offensive attacker; uses VISCARIA SUPER ALC blade with Dignics 09C on both forehand and backhand
USATT Rating: ~2770 (as of Aug 2025) – among the highest-rated players active in U.S. circuits
Peak World Ranking: No. 229 (Apr 2017)
League Play: Competes in Japan’s T-League with TT Saitama; key contributor to the team’s 2024–25 championship, winning 15 of 21 matches
Major Titles:
2017 U.S. Open (Las Vegas) – Singles Champion, defeating top-ranked opposition en route to the title
International Performance: Reached R64 at 2019 World Championships; strong results at Austrian Open and other ITTF World Tour events
2025 LA Open (JOOLA LA Open):
Open Singles – 3rd Place (Semifinalist)
Open Doubles – Runner-up (with Ryohei Kanoya)
Candy Tang
Liying (Candy) Tang – Player & Coach Profile
Nationality: China | Former Shanghai Provincial Team (2002–2007)
Playing Career: Elite competitor with success in China and internationally; competed in the China Super League (2010) for East China University of Science and Technology.
Major Titles:
LA Open Women’s Singles Champion – 2014 & 2015
Berkeley Open Champion – 2013
2009 World University Games – Gold in Team & Women’s Singles
China University Championships – Multiple Team Titles (2009, 2011) & Doubles Champion (2009)
Coaching Career:
National-level coach at California Table Tennis Center in Rosemead, CA
Developed elite juniors including USA National Team member Sally Moyland
Served as coach at the 2024 U.S. Open
Impact: Known for blending world-class Chinese training methods with individualized coaching, elevating both elite and developing American players.
Ye Tian
Ye Tian – Player & Coach Profile
Nationality: Born in China; based in the U.S., active in club coaching and competition
Early Career & Playing Style: Began playing at age 8; rose to a professional level with China's Bayi Team; National First-Level Athlete by early teens
USATT Rating: Current ~ 2530; Career High ~ 2652
League & Team Play: Competed in domestic U.S. club leagues; represented NJTTC at North America Team Championships—helped place first in 2017
Coaching Role: Club-level coach at organizations including Swan Warrior Table Tennis Center; mentors emerging U.S. talent
Major Titles & Highlights:
2022 U.S. Open – Men’s Doubles Champion
Reached quarterfinals in Men’s Singles at both 2021 and 2017 U.S. Open
2020 Aurora Cup Open Doubles – Champion (4-star event)
Active compete in LA Open's Tournaments
Tiago Apolónia
Tiago Apolónia – Player Profile
Nationality: Portugal
Playing Style & Equipment: Right-handed shakehand attacker; Butterfly Tiago Apolónia ZLC blade with Tenergy 05 (FH) and Dignics 05 (BH)
Peak World Ranking: No. 13 (Nov 2014) | Current: ~No. 96 (2025)
Major Titles & Achievements:
2014 European Team Champion
2019 World Championships – Men’s Doubles Bronze (w/ João Monteiro)
2010 Austrian Open Singles Champion (def. Timo Boll)
Multiple European Championship medals in singles, doubles, and team events
European Junior Doubles Champion (2004); World Junior Doubles Runner-Up (2003)
Olympics: 5-time Olympian (2008–2024); best result – 4th place in Team (London 2012)
Club Career: Key player in German Bundesliga; ETTU Cup winner (2014 with Saarbrücken)
Recent Form: Active on WTT circuit; competitive at Contender level events in 2025
Chuan Chih Yuan
Chuang Chih-Yuan – Player Profile
Nationality: Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)
Playing Style: Right-handed, shakehand attacker with powerful topspin and remarkable foot speed
Peak World Ranking: No. 3 (December 2003)
Signature Wins & Titles:
2002 ITTF Pro Tour Grand Finals – Men’s Singles Champion
2013 World Table Tennis Championships – Men’s Doubles Champion (with Chen Chien‑An), a first for Taiwan
Multiple ITTF World Tour Singles Titles: Brazil (2003), Chile (2011), Spain (2012), Hungary (2016)
Olympics & Major Events:
6-time Olympian (2004–2024) – best finish: 4th place in Men’s Singles at London 2012
World Cup: reached quarterfinals multiple times (e.g., 2006 & 2010)
League & Global Career:
Competed in top European leagues, including Germany’s Bundesliga (TTF Ochsenhausen, Werder Bremen), France’s Pro A, and championships in Poland, Russia, and China
Legacy & Retirement:
One of Taiwan’s most beloved table tennis icons; withdrew from ITTF rankings in early 2025 after an extraordinary 26-year career
Hou Yingchao (侯英超)
Nationality: China (registered under Canada since 2018)
Playing Style: Right-handed defensive chopper utilizing short pips—known for deceptive spin control and counterattack variations
Peak World Ranking: No. 10 (Jan 2007)
Notable National Titles:
Oldest-ever China National Champion in 2019 at age 39, defeating top junior players (e.g. Wang Chuqin)
International Success:
Gold in Men’s Team at 2003 Asian Championships
Runner-up in Men’s Singles at 2007 Summer Universiade
Key performer and Grand Finals semifinalist in early Pro Tour events
Domestic Titles:
China National Singles Champion (2000, 2019)
LA Open Men’s Singles Champion (2015), runner-up in 2016 & 2017, champion again in 2018
Club & League Play:
Competed across top European leagues (Russia, Austria, France, Poland) with frequent championships
Won the ETTU Cup with UMMC Ekaterinburg (2012/13) and with Weinviertel Niederösterreich (2015/16)
Legacy: A rare blend of longevity and elite performance, revered for extending a top-level career through disciplined fitness, defensive mastery, and international adaptability.
Ryu Seung-min
Ryu Seung-min – Olympic Champion & Global Sports Leader.Ryu Seung-min (born August 5, 1982, in Seoul, South Korea) is a legendary table tennis player best known for winning Olympic gold in men’s singles at Athens 2004.
Famous for his explosive forehand and penhold grip, Ryu also earned team medals at the 2008 (bronze) and 2012 (silver) Olympics. His accolades include World Championship silvers and bronzes, a World Cup silver, and Asian Games gold in 2002 (doubles).
Post-retirement, he served as an IOC Member (2016–2024), KTTA President (2019–2023), and was elected KSOC President in 2025. Ryu remains a powerful ambassador for table tennis and the Olympic movement worldwide.
Kim Taehyun
Korean Table Tennis Pro & 2024 Silicon Valley Champion.Kim Taehyun, born in Incheon, South Korea, is a rising international table tennis talent with a current ITTF world ranking of No. 138 and a USATT rating of 2823. Known for his right-handed shakehand grip and aggressive play, Kim won the 2024 Silicon Valley Championships and the LA Open Doubles title.
In 2025, he delivered a standout 3–0 victory over Deni Kozul at WTT Contender Doha and reached the Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals at WTT Feeder Havirov.
A TIBHAR Pro Team athlete, he plays with the Samsonov Force Pro blade and MX-S rubbers. He also coaches privately at 888 Table Tennis Center in California.
Vladimir Samsonov
Belarusian Table Tennis Legend & 3× World Cup Champion.Born April 17, 1976, in Minsk, Vladimir Samsonov is one of table tennis history’s most respected icons. A former World No. 1 (1999), he held a top-10 ITTF ranking for 15 consecutive years.
Known as the “Tai Chi Master” for his fluid all-round style,
Playing Style: Right-handed, shakehand, all-round attacker with exceptional control and consistency
Peak World Ranking: No. 1 (1999) | Spent over 15 years in World Top 10
Major Titles & Achievements:
3× World Cup Champion (1999, 2001, 2009)
6× European Champion (Singles: 1998, 2003; Team and Doubles titles as well)
27 ITTF Pro Tour / World Tour Singles titles
World Championships: Silver (Singles 1997), Bronze (2003, 2007)
Olympic Games: 6 appearances (1996–2016), best finish – 4th in Singles (2016 Rio)
Club Career: Starred for top European clubs including Borussia Düsseldorf (Germany) and Fakel Gazprom Orenburg (Russia), winning multiple Champions League titles
Taimu Arinobu
– Japanese Table Tennis Pro & U.S. Open Champion.Taimu Arinobu, born in Fukuoka, Japan, is a dynamic table tennis athlete known for his aggressive shakehand attacking style. He captured the 2017 U.S. Open Men's Singles title and reached a career-high ITTF world ranking of No. 229. In the 2018 ITTF Australian Open, he upset world No. 40 Tiago Apolónia to reach the main draw.
Taimu has represented Ryukyu Asteeda and T.T Saitama in Japan’s T.League, earning recognition for his strong doubles play.
He uses a Butterfly Viscaria blade with Tenergy 05 on the forehand and Tenergy 64 on the backhand. Arinobu remains a key figure in global table tennis.
Sally Moyland
Team USA Table Tennis Star & LA Open Champion.Sally Moyland (陳伊依), born May 29, 2007, in Fremont, California, is a rising star in U.S. table tennis. Known for her aggressive shakehand style, she won the 2023 LA Open Women’s Singles title at just 16.
She also became the U.S. Olympic Team Trials Champion and was named the first alternate for the Paris 2024 Olympics. At the 2023 U.S. Nationals, she claimed titles in U19, U21, and mixed doubles.
Sally also won singles and team gold at the Pan Am Youth Championships. Trained in both the U.S. and Taiwan, she’s a leading prospect for the 2028 Olympics.
Lily Zhang
Four-Time Olympian & U.S. Table Tennis Icon.Lily Zhang, born June 16, 1996, in Redwood City, California, is a four-time Olympian and six-time U.S. National Champion in Women’s Singles. She joined the U.S. Cadet Team at 11 and became the youngest player ever on the U.S.
Women’s Team at age 12. Internationally, she won bronze at the 2011 Pan Am Games, Youth Olympics (2014), and the 2021 World Championships (Mixed Doubles).
In 2023, she led Team USA to gold at the Pan Am Games. Trained in China and Austria, and a UC Berkeley graduate, Lily remains one of the world’s top-ranked American table tennis players.
Discover Transformative Results
Discover Transformative Results
"My life changed forever"
"I am a fan of Table Tennis and running a business locally. LA Open's events allow me to not only meet so many like-minded people, became friends, practice at local club, also it expanded my business referral network when I advertise with LA Open, win win. Thank you LA Open" - Michael Green Contractor
"A Game-Changer for Me"
"LA Open Table Tennis has been fantastic in helping me reach the next level in my game. I was able to play and meet so many top players around the world. The community is incredibly welcoming. I’m confident I can continue to grow as a player and a person by continue investing in my future." - Emily Harris
"A Journey of Self-Improvement"
"At LA Open Table Tennis has been able to push myself past limits I thought I had. The coaches have not only helped me improve my skills but also instilled a mindset of continuous improvement. The progress I've made in such a short time is something I’m really proud of" - Jessica Lee
"Transformed My Game"
"Joining LA Open Table Tennis Academy has truly transformed my game. The coaches are knowledgeable, and the training environment is always supportive. I’ve improved my speed and consistency, and I feel ready to compete at the next level. Highly recommend this academy for anyone serious about improving their table tennis skills!" - Sarah Mitchell
"Highly Recommend "
"I joined LA Open Table Tennis as a sponsor over decade now. Just love how delectated each person in the committee. The tournaments are exciting and well organized. I was able to meet so many top TT players and the experience was unforgettable. I’m proud of being part of LA Open and building a vibrant community. " - Daniel Cruz Lender
