USA OLYMPIC TABLE TENNIS TEAM TO COMPETE IN US OPEN

On June 30-July 4 the USA Table Tennis 2012 US Open will feature members of Team USA competing in the 2012 London Olympics. Highlighting the US Open field will be members of the USA Olympic Team, Ariel Hsing, Lily Zhang, Timothy Wang, and Erica Wu.

In 2011, Ariel Hsing won five titles including the Women’s Singles, Mixed Doubles, and the 21 & Under Women’s Singles titles at the 2011 US National Championships.

Lily Zhang saw much of her success in 2011 at the Junior and Cadet level, taking home five Junior and Cadet titles before winning the 2011 Qatar Peace & Sports Cup Women’s Doubles Championship.

Erica Wu first made the US National Junior Girls team in 2009 and has since been a part of the US National Junior and Women’s teams the last two years. Wu picked up her first title at the 2011 US National as a member of the Women’s Doubles Championship team.

Timothy Wang qualified for the US Olympic team as a single. Wang, who is also a member of the 2012 World team, owns titles in Men’s and Mixed Doubles at the 2011 US Nationals as well as a pair of singles titles. Wang placed 2nd in the U/21 Men’s singles event at last year’s US Open.

“In addition to the US Olympians, there will be top players from Europe and Asia attending the2012 event,” says Local Organizing Committee Chair, Dell Sweeris. “Having the Junior International Circuit event in conjunction with the Open will help bring the up and coming players from around the world as well.”

 “This is the second time that we will host this major international tournament for USA Table Tennis,” said Mike Guswiler, Executive Director of the West Michigan Sports Commission. “2012 being an Olympic year and having US Olympic Team members here competing in the US Open will only add to the level of excitement and competitive play. I encourage the community to come out and see ‘ping-pong’ being played at this fast-paced Olympic level.”

Many other notable players including Jianxu Liu, Michael Landers, Jiaqi Zheng, and Yue Wu are currently registered to compete.

Tickets are now on sale for the 2012 USA Table Tennis US Open. The five day tournament will run from June 30-July 4 at the DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Tickets are available at the Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place box offices. Tickets may also be purchased through Ticketmaster, either online (www.ticketmaster.com), by phone (1.800.745.300), or in person at a Ticketmaster outlet, including D&W stores and select Family Fare and Walmart locations.

 Ticket prices are $10 (daily pass), $20 (semi-final and finals pass), and $25 (all-session pass).Kids ages 12 and under will receive free admission. For information on group discounts contact Rebecca Chesnut at 1.616.742.6185 or visit www.vanandelarena.com/groupsales.

In 2010 Grand Rapids, Michigan won the bid to host the US Open, which was previously held in Las Vegas. During that event the prize money was up to $70,000 and 22 countries were represented with over 700 participants.