The 2024 JOOLA North American Team Championships proved to be another hit with the table tennis community, as 226 teams and over 900 players dedicated their Thanksgiving weekend to the sport we love.

The Gaylord National Convention and Resort again solidified it’s reputation as an excellent host for one of the biggest team table tennis competitions in the world as games kicked off on Friday.

Eyes were on the top three teams in the A division, with other teams vying to cement their spot in the top division of the tournament on day 1.

The A division featured players of the highest international caliber, including European Championship gold medalists Joao Gerlado and Joao Monteiro, Finish Olympian Benedek Olah, Cho Seungmin of the Korean National Team, JOOLA Legend Chen Weixing, and a host of other top names.

While the attention was on those top stars, it was the combination team of Matchpoint TTC and Rising Stars Table Tennis Academy who were quietly making moves.

The third seeded team hosted top Chinese players, including Xi Sheng a Super League competitor and Liu Jialiang, as well as Japan’s Yu Kayama and US-based Zhu Chao and Tian Ye.

As the draws narrowed down, Center Court witnessed a change in the wind as Matchpoint/RSWTTA took down the top seeds in the semifinal. A spirited effort saw Kayama battle his way past Cho Seungmin, Xi Sheng take down Benedek Olah 11-9 in the 5^th, and Liu Jialiang seal the deal with a convincing win over Koyo Kanamitsu. With a 3-0 sweep, MLTT and Friends were out of the competition and Matchpoint TTC + RSWTTA were into the final over the top seeds!

The final showdown was a crazy spectacle as packed stands witnessed an exceptional comeback story unfold. Host Ryan Willard started with a solemn tribute to our dearest friend Mossa Barandao, remembering his passion for the sport and his love for the game, a touching moment shared by the table tennis community gathered for the biggest match of the tournament.

Nison’s TTC were the favourites on paper, having swept their semifinal 3-0 over MDTTC to reach their finals berth – and they started off in imposing fashion. Joao Monteiro wasted no time in putting his team off to the best start possible, sweeping Jialiang Liu in the first two games.

Liu stirred into action and went on the offensive, it was like watching a completely different player as he came back to force a deciding fifth game. Liu held the lead, but Monteiro’s fierce combinations of reverse pendulum serves and step-around powerful forehands made the difference when it counted the most. Receiving Liu’s serve at 10-9, Monteiro got the job done and put the first point on the board for Nison’s TTC.

In the second match Joao Geraldo took down Xi Sheng in style. While Xi played some exceptional forehand’s out to Gerlado’s forehand corner, it was Geraldo whose athleticism and power off both wings which proved dominant. Xi held game points in the opener, but Geraldo tied things up and closed it out. It was clear that in the open rallies, Geraldo had the advantage.

Geraldo took the second in comfortable fashion, but in the third Xi started to make up some ground in the match. He went on a run, scoring four points in a row to hold an 8-4 lead. Exceptional short game and sweeping forehands were the big weapons for Xi and he was looking to tip the scales as he trailed 2-0.

Xi held 3 game points again at 10-7, but Geraldo brought his best with a fine balance of control and blistering attacks. He set up his first match point and blitzed a backhand winner to seal the deal, 3-0.

Nison’s now led 2-0 in matches, the pressure was all on Yu Kayama to keep his team alive. A battle of contrasts ensued, with Nordberg combining masterful topspin combinations at the mid-distance, while Yu packed a punch with some high octane power plays.

Nordberg won the first, and held game point at 10-9 in the second. Nison’s were in the power seat for the final, but Yu had other ideas. He stole the moment away and won the second game.

Yu stepped up in the third, controlling his position close to the table with excellent backhand control and placement, with explosive forehands. Even far from the table he played some outstanding defensive chops out of position.

Nordberg upped the pressure on Yu’s backhand in the fourth and it paid off. There were many twists and turns in the fifth, but disaster struck for the Swede when he missed his serve at 9-9 in the fifth. There was no coming back and Yu clinched the match.

Liu Jialiang seized the opportunity to continue his late momentum in his first match, with no slow beginning against Geraldo in the fourth match of the tie. Liu was solid, avenging his teammate Xi to claim the match in four games.

It all came down to one final faceoff. Could Matchpoint TTC and RSWTTA complete the comeback to win the championship?

What ensued was a dramatic rollercoaster of intensity, altercations and high level table tennis.

In a point for point first game, Monteiro snuck ahead to lock in game one. While there were so many distractions in the court and beyond, Monteiro held a stone cold focus, never wavering from his mission.

He held the lead in the third, tied at 1-1 in games, and never blinked during a heated exchange between teams and officials over a point penalty against Xi.

With a 2-1 lead, Monteiro was just one game away from taking the gold. Xi had to refocus and he did so in dominant fashion, taking the fourth game 11-4.

It was a deadlock. Xi stormed into a lead, one which you may think was almost unassailable at this point of the team final. He was 10-4, at least 6 match points in hand.

Monteiro remained composed and calm, reeling off a multitude of points in a row. The audience were on the edge of their seats as the Portugese star claimed back 5 points in a row. Monteiro held the serve in his hand with one more opposition match point in his way.

The serve drifted half long and Xi picked it up with his forehand.

Matchpoint TTC and Rising Stars Table Tennis Academy were crowned the champions of the 2024 JOOLA North American Team Championships. They took down the top seeds, and defied the odds to bring down the second seeds to claim the ultimate prize!