Ping pong ball games and table tennis have become popular sports and activities in their own rights in the United States. They have become nationally and internationally recognized competitive organizations, with championships – world championships – and titles awarded to the winning parties. Though there are those that may challenge of validity of ping pong ball games or table tennis games as a legitimate sport, it is important to understand that there is more that goes on behind the scenes of such sports than many may originally realize – and more depth of important history as well.
For example, many people do not know that there are more than sixteen million ping pong ball and table tennis participants in the world, making it an incredibly popular sport and that it is even popular as a leisure activity. There are many important components to ping pong and table tennis, such as the skill brought to the game as well as the equipment that is used. A ping pong or professional table tennis player, when equipped with the right gear, such as the right paddles, can hit balls that easily exceed one hundred miles per hour (or one hundred and sixty miles per kilometer for those on the metric system). It has even been banned in a number of locations, such as the Soviet Union for a period of around twenty years, for fear that the game was dangerous to the players and even the onlookers. In the case of the Soviet Union, the fear revolved around the danger to the eyes of the players in the face of such small and dense ping pong balls traveling at such high speeds. There are more than ten million ping pong ball tournament competitors per year, traveling to compete in tournaments all around the country of the United States – and even all around the world. China is particularly adept and committed to professional table tennis and ping pong, and the country has hosted more than one hundred of the total one hundred and thirty one world ping pong and table tennis championships.
But if you are an elite table tennis player who can complete a table tennis or ping pong ball match in thirty minutes or less (as most elite level players are able to do), having the right equipment is necessary. Those in the upper levels of ping pong and table tennis are often recommended to visit a table tennis store, which will specialize in the gear that they are looking for. Table tennis stores will often have quality equipment such as table tennis rackets, table tennis balls, and table tennis cases. A ping pong ball and ping pong materials can also often be found at such a store, and only those of the highest quality and caliber.
Table tennis has become more and more popular since the finalization of the official rules of tennis, formed by the governing body of table tennis in the year of 1926. Table tennis has become a popular past time and way to relax after a long day of work or child rearing (and the other responsibilities of life) but it has become a professional opportunity for many people in its own right as well. Championships and competitions for ping pong and table tennis have become widespread not only throughout the United States but common in the world at large. In fact, China has held more table tennis world championships than any other country, showing a dedication and commitment to the sports of ping pong and table tennis.