The 12th NCKU Table Tennis Championship Begins on August 6, with the New Mixed Doubles Event Drawing Attention-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

The 12th NCKU Table Tennis Championship kicked off today (the 6th) at the newly constructed swimming pool and sports venue on the third floor of the NCKU Sheng-Li Campus. The six-day event has attracted enthusiastic participants from across Taiwan, including several national players. This year, the tournament has introduced a new mixed doubles category, providing players with more opportunities to showcase their skills. Despite facing the challenge of relocating the venue due to construction issues three weeks before the event, the tournament, renowned for its strong reputation, has drawn over 1,300 participants and scheduled a total of 985 matches.


You-Zhen Lu, the head of the NCKU Table Tennis Team and a sophomore in the Department of Materials Science, noted that the registration for this year’s tournament was exceptionally active. Many players from northern Taiwan traveled south to participate in the elementary school category, and the social category was fully booked within five minutes of opening registration. The college division included almost all of the top eight teams from previous college tournaments, with a substantial number of adult and junior national players involved, promising a highly competitive event.


The deputy head of the tournament, Chun-You Shi, a freshman in the Department of Earth Sciences, mentioned that the original venue, Chung Cheng Hall, was not only traditional but could accommodate more participants and matches in a short period. However, due to construction work at Chung Cheng Gym three weeks before the event, the venue had to be changed, and the schedule and format were adjusted accordingly. Although this unexpected challenge was significant, the team extended the event from four to six days and made some modifications to the format. Despite the difficulties, the team hopes that all participants will have a great experience. Wang Yiran, the public relations officer of the table tennis team and a junior in the Department of Materials Science, added that seniors always share their experiences and solutions before the event, helping the new team understand the operational model of the NCKU Cup and ensuring smooth succession. “Although there are always unforeseen challenges, these experiences teach us how to face and solve problems, and strengthen the cohesion among team members.”


Jun-Yang Chen, the captain of the men's team and a junior in the Department of Materials Science, shared that he started playing table tennis due to poor vision as a child. His family and neighbors suggested that table tennis could help maintain eye health and prevent myopia, which sparked his interest. He enjoys the challenge and sense of achievement from each shot and score. In addition to basic and technical training, he also watches match videos, such as the Olympics, and analyzes high-level players’ techniques to continually improve his game. The coach also emphasizes attention to detail in every movement to enhance overall ability. “As the captain of the men's team, I hope to perform at my best during the tournament. Although I may not be the most outstanding player on the team, I believe my greatest opponent is myself. As long as I perform well and improve from last year, that is enough!”


Shi-Han Wu, the captain of the women’s team and a second-year student in the Department of Physics, reminisced about starting table tennis in kindergarten with friends. Encouragement from her coach helped build her confidence and interest. She enjoys meeting like-minded friends through table tennis and hopes to perform well in the tournament, stay positive against strong opponents, and ultimately achieve a good result in the college cup.


The NCKU Table Tennis Championship aims to promote table tennis among higher education institutions, facilitate inter-school interactions, and foster friendships through the sport. It has become one of NCKU's traditional annual sports events. Except for the 2021 event, which was canceled due to the pandemic, the tournament attracts numerous participants from various universities, colleges, and community groups each year, including elite players and strong teams. Participants use the tournament to refine their skills and share experiences.


The NCKU Table Tennis Team hopes that all participants will have a great experience, participate with enthusiasm, and perform well. They also remind players to stay hydrated in the hot Tainan weather and make the most of their time at the tournament. The events on the 6th and 7th include individual and team competitions for elementary school students, with some matches available for online streaming. Interested individuals are welcome to attend the matches in person or watch online.

12th NCKU Table Tennis Championship