and Pickleball Equipment

New York, NY – PingPod, the radically fun new 24/7 ping pong concept, has announced a multi-year deal with JOOLA to be its exclusive table tennis equipment and performance apparel supplier. As part of the deal, JOOLA will become a Title Sponsor for PingPod Leagues and PingPod and JOOLA will collaborate on co-branded apparel and accessories.

Tom Nguyen, JOOLA Chief Marketing Officer, says “This partnership marks our biggest investment in ping pong in the US, but more than that, it creates a deeper relationship between two innovative, tech-forward partners.” The two companies will celebrate the deal at an activation event February 15 at PingPod’s newly opened Downtown Brooklyn location.

PingPod has been a smash since its 2020 launch in New York City on the Lower East Side, quickly meeting customer demand by adding additional NYC locations on West 37th Street; Williamsburg; Astoria; East 86th Street; and the newest location in Downtown Brooklyn. The company recently opened a location in Philadelphia and a private pod at The Strand in Chatham NJ. More NYC locations and expansion to other cities are coming, with more than 20 Pod locations expected by year end 2023. “We believe JOOLA is the perfect partner for our expansion across multiple disciplines,” said PingPod CEO Max Kogler. “This deal will be able to keep pace with our rapid growth. We are thrilled to have a partner aligned with our mission to make ping pong accessible to everyone.”

JOOLA is a storied brand in table tennis and has recently added a leading position in the fast-growing sport of Pickleball. For table tennis, the company provides next generation equipment including tables, rackets, blades, rubbers, balls, apparel, nets, and robots. “The PingPod concept – Ping Pong for Everyone – is aligned with JOOLA’s core values: Inclusion, Innovation, and Inspiration,” said JOOLA USA CEO Richard Lee. “We are thrilled to partner with PingPod and, together, elevate the sport of table tennis.”

The PingPod business model is unique – a network of the world’s first tech-enabled autonomous (no onsite employees) table tennis “pods,” open 24/7. Pods are typically highly visible street-level retail spaces with one to six tables, available to rent in 30-minute increments through PingPod’s app.

The PingPod formula has proven popular for everyone from casual players seeking fun date nights and expert players training for their next table tennis tournament, to those seeking afterschool classes for kids and fun spots for private parties. Since opening, PingPod has registered more than 36,000 people to play, with new customer sign-ups closing in on 3,500 per month.

How PingPod Works: Using the PingPod app, you register online with your credit card and reserve a table 24/7 at the street-level storefront “pods”. Entrance to the light and airy space comes via digital access on your phone. At your table, you’re provided with a full basket of high-quality balls and free paddles to use, if you don’t already have your own. Want to capture a great rally for posterity? Push a button alongside the table and you’ll get the “instant replay” by email. Looking for partners? Join PingPod’s #OpenMatching Slack channel and you’ll find community. Seeking competition? Join PingPod’s leagues and compete in divisions organized by skill. Winners compete for prizes and bragging rights in the robust PingPod community. Safety and security are handled through proprietary 24/7 security video monitoring.

PR Contact: Carol Klenfner, carol@klenfner.com

Hi-Res Images available

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“The minute we discovered we loved playing pickleball, the business ideas came straight away. After seeing how our table tennis skills crossed over on the pickleball court, we knew our brand and tech know-how could make us a great pickleball company,” said JOOLA President Richard Lee.

It was only a matter of time before JOOLA and Ben were connected, and a serious interest in tech and innovation paved the way for plenty of engaging discussion about what would make the perfect pickleball paddle.

“What really struck us about Ben was how involved he became in the process of creating our line. He just has an incredible mind for creating products that produce better play,” said Lee. The result is a full line of equipment that is highlighted by the Ben Johns Hyperion Series.

A strong focus on building community relationships and focusing on the needs of athletes has been paramount in the story of JOOLA, a story which Ben Johns is excited to be a part of.

“The sport is growing, the competition is getting better, and the visibility has never been higher. What I needed was a team, and that’s exactly what we are building together at JOOLA,” says Johns.

With a global reach and decades of product development experience in the sport of table tennis, JOOLA hopes it can bring new technology and promotion of pickleball around the world. With such an exceptional player partnership the future is one step closer.  

The post Table Tennis Brand JOOLA Goes All in on Pickleball, Signs #1 Player in the World Ben Johns appeared first on JOOLA Global.

“We are delighted to welcome such a high-caliber player to Team JOOLA and to have him put his trust in our products as he continues his journey to becoming one of the world’s best table tennis players,” said JOOLA President Richard Lee. “Zhou Qihao is on the path to accomplishing great things. We strongly believe in him and are humbled to be by his side, supporting him as he builds his legacy.”

Zhou was most notably the 2021 Champion of the All-Star Chinese WTT and Olympic Simulation Trials, where he defeated Grand Slam Champion Ma Long in the semifinals and went on to defeat current World Champion Fan Zhendong in the finals match. Zhou has been able to go toe-to-toe with the absolute best Chinese players in the world and is now venturing into the international table tennis scene.

“I am incredibly happy to join Team JOOLA. After trying JOOLA’s products and meeting their team, I believe this partnership will help me take the next step in pursuing my goals to win the highest-level tournaments in the world,” said Zhou, after the signing in Houston.

As JOOLA continues to innovate and further establish itself in the table tennis community, the team is ecstatic to be collaborating with an athlete from the Chinese National Team and looks forward to seeing Zhou Qihao’s progress on the world stage. The JOOLA team hopes the new partnership and support will have a positive impact on Zhou’s career and help him advance in his goals.

The post Team JOOLA Thrilled to Sign Chinese National Team Star Zhou Qihao appeared first on JOOLA Global.

This year’s Teams features a 3-day long live stream of all the matches. This is one of the first table tennis events to feature remote production combined with Mixed Reality. The event is to be streamed on JOOLA Global’s YouTube channel and all-new JOOLA Infinity app. Real-time Mixed Reality allows JOOLA to step outside of the traditional sponsorship toolkit and activate its sponsorship in an innovative and contextual way.

Richard Lee, President of JOOLA, stated, “We are committed to the sport of table table tennis and to delivering the best-in-class table tennis equipment and experiences to our customers. Working with OSAI on the Mixed Reality live stream of Teams helps us to take table tennis viewing to the next level. Real-time Mixed Reality allows us to engage table tennis fans with live exclusive insights and attract new audiences with immersive, digitally-native content that explains the game and gets them excited about the sport. Crucially, we are able to produce the event remotely.”

OSAI powers the entire remote production of JOOLA Teams streaming, delivering an end-to-end solution that includes broadcast-quality video, commentary, Mixed Reality, and analytics. OSAI aims to turn every match of the JOOLA North American Teams Championships into an immersive and engaging experience for both the viewers and the players.

“We are thrilled to partner with JOOLA and deliver cutting-edge viewing experiences to all Teams followers. OSAI Mixed Reality enters the USA market with a strong case of remote virtual production of one of the leading table tennis events in the country. OSAI uses Computer Vision and AI to collect & analyze performance data that is then transformed into immersive animations. Combing live data with sports entertainment means that OSAI live streaming engages all segments of fans and unlocks new digital assets for sponsorship activations,” said Nish Sehgal, Global Managing Director of OSAI.

Real-time Mixed Reality by OSAI engages viewers with dynamic on-screen animations and deep game insights, otherwise unavailable to fans. The Teams live stream will include ball tracking, player positions, zones occupied, and ball speed – to name a few. 

About Teams:

The 23rd annual JOOLA North American Teams Championships is a USATT sanctioned 4-star event and will be held at the Gaylord National Resort in Washington, DC for the 6th year in a row. The always highly anticipated three-day competition boasts players from all over the US as well as entrants from around the world, giving players a chance to mingle and learn new techniques from a broader table tennis community. The tournament features a team component in an otherwise individual-focused sport in the US.

About JOOLA:

JOOLA has been a leader in table tennis since 1952. The global company offers a selection of premium quality table tennis equipment from tables to blades. JOOLA is also a proud sponsor of several major table tennis tournaments, including the JOOLA North American Teams Championships.

About OSAI:

OSAI is an AI-powered technology that unlocks real-time Mixed Reality video streaming for live sporting events. OSAI analyses the video feed to gather the performance data, analyze it and overlay the video with on-screen animations in real-time. Mixed Reality enhances the viewer experience with game insights, explanations and gamification. OSAI transforms the live streaming of sports, connecting the traditional broadcast with digital on-demand culture.

The post JOOLA North American Teams Championships 2021 to live stream table tennis in Mixed Reality powered by OSAI appeared first on JOOLA Global.

1. Players From Around the World
2. Win Big $$
3. Events Galore
4. Fun for All Ages
5. The NATT Experience
6. Best of the Best Equipment
7. Fun for the Whole Crew
8. World-Class Theme Parks Nearby
9. Exclusive Discounts
10. Entertainment & Events
11. Luxury Outlets

1. Players From Around the World

The JOOLA Global Championships is an international event that’s expected to draw more than a thousand entrants from around the world. High-level professional players will be in attendance too, so expect some exciting matches, or even the chance to meet a player you follow!

2. Win Big $$$

More than bragging rights will be up for grabs as JOOLA Global Championships will be handing out US$100,000 in prize money. In addition to cementing their place in JOOLA history as the champion of the first ever JOOLA Global Championships tournament, the winner of the Open Singles event will receive a whopping US$25,000 grand prize. More than 80 cash prizes will be handed out to event winners, so there are plenty of opportunities to win some green!

3. Events Galore

With over 65 tournament events to choose from, there is an event for every style and level of play. Players are given the flexibility to choose up to 8 events. Those set on having a lot of playing time can sign up for a full schedule. Those wanting to have a more relaxed experience can choose fewer events and spend more time enjoying Orlando’s many leisure offerings. The tournament will be whatever you want to make of it!

4. Fun for All Ages

JOOLA is partnering with the American Youth Table Tennis Organization (AYTTO) and the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA) to include age events for elementary through high school students, as well as collegiate-level events. Men and women age events, including senior events are also offered.

5. The NATT Experience

North American Table Tennis (NATT), which has decades of experience running large scale tournaments, will be running the JOOLA Global Championships. NATT has run one of the U.S.’ largest tournaments, the JOOLA North American Teams Championships in Washington, DC, for over 20 years. The organization also ran the U.S. Open and U.S. Nationals in the past. Attendees can expect an experienced staff and a smooth tournament experience.

6. Best of the Best Equipment

The tournament will feature over 150 ITTF-approved JOOLA competition tables surrounded by JOOLA court barriers. Players will be competing using white, 3-star JOOLA Prime ABS table tennis balls. JOOLA will also have a sales booth at the tournament, offering its latest products, special discounts, and consults with knowledgeable equipment specialists.

7. Fun for the Whole Crew

In addition to the tournament, its location in Orlando offers something fun for everyone. Choose an action-packed trip to nearby theme parks and water parks, relax next to one of Gaylord Palms’ many pools, or eat your way through Orlando’s diverse selection of award-winning restaurants.

Whether you are coming with family or friends who are table tennis people too or are just tagging along, the JOOLA Global Championships will make for an exciting group holiday and a memorable way to wrap up your summer.

8. World-Class Theme Parks Nearby

Orlando, Florida is home to some of the world’s most famous theme parks. This includes Walt Disney World® – home to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom. Scheduled shuttle service to Walt Disney World® theme parks and Disney Springs® is an included amenity for guests at the Gaylord Palms Resort.

There is also Universal Studios Florida, which features 2 theme parks, a water park, and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Other nearby attractions include SeaWorld® and LEGOLAND®.  If theme parks aren’t your thing, Orlando also has over 100 standalone attractions beyond the parks.

For those who don’t want to venture far from the tournament venue, the Gaylord Palms Resort offers an onsite water park that is exclusive to and complementary for its resort guests. The Cypress Springs Water Park features multiple water slides, a FlowRider surfing attraction, and an immersive Crystal River Rapids experience.

9. Exclusive Discounts

JOOLA is partnering with local businesses to offer tournament attendees exclusive discounts to a plethora of Orlando’s exciting attractions, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida. JOOLA doesn’t want its Global Championships to be just another tournament. They want to provide attendees with a vacation experience and to help guests make the most of their time in Orlando. Discounts are posted on the JOOLA Global Championships event page.

10. Entertainment & Events

There is always something fun happening in Orlando! Here are some exciting events that are happening in the city during the end of August and start of September*.

• Electric Ocean at SeaWorld® Orlando – With fireworks shows, glowing sea creatures, and world-class DJs, Electric Ocean is sure to light up your SeaWorld® experience.
• Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival – Visit international marketplaces, watch live entertainment, and eat and drink your way around the world at Epcot’s World Showcase.
• Disney® After Hours Boo Bash at Magic Kingdom – Trick or treat your way through the park and get swept up in the Halloween spirit with spooky décor and Boo Bash-exclusive food and drinks.
• Busch Gardens Summer Nights – From block parties and live performances to seasonal food and drink, enjoy all that Busch Gardens has to offer with extended summer park hours.
• Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining® – Orlando’s restaurant month! Explore the Orlando food scene and enjoy specially priced three-course, prix fixed dinners at over 50 participating restaurants.

*Event schedules are subject to change. Stay up to date with Visit Orlando’s event calendar.

11. Luxury Outlets

Squeeze in some retail therapy while you’re in Orlando! The city is home to two Premium Outlets®, with the Vineland location just a short 10-minute drive away from the tournament venue at the Gaylord Palms Resort. The luxury outlet features more than 160 designer stores, including Adidas, Burberry, Lululemon, and more. You’ll want to come with extra luggage space!

The post Here’s Why JOOLA Global Championships is the Must-Attend Tournament of 2022 appeared first on JOOLA Global.

North American Table Tennis (NATT), which has run JOOLA’s North American Teams Championships in Washington, DC for over 20 years, as well as the U.S. Open and U.S. Nationals in the past, will be running the new four-day tournament.

JOOLA Global Championships is expected to attract more than a thousand entrants from around the world and will feature over sixty Singles and Doubles events. Players can enter in up to eight tournament events. More than bragging rights will be up for grabs as the tournament will be handing out one-hundred thousand dollars in prize money.

In partnership with the American Youth Table Tennis Organization (AYTTO) and the National Collegiate Table Tennis Association (NCTTA), there will be special age events for elementary through high school students, as well as collegiate U22 events.

The expansive tournament hall will boast more than one-hundred and fifty ITTF-approved JOOLA competition tables. Outside of the tournament hall, the Gaylord Palms Resort welcomes guests to a luxury experience. With its own water park and an exciting lineup of family-friendly activities and entertainment, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Players are encouraged to bring along friends and family members to enjoy everything that Orlando has to offer. From theme parks and water parks to award-winning restaurants and designer outlet stores, Orlando is guaranteed to have something for everyone.

The regular entry fee for JOOLA Global Championships is $499, but several tiers of limited early bird deals are available. $399 club pricing is also available to members of JOOLA-sponsored table tennis clubs. This is a tournament you won’t want to miss out on.

The post JOOLA Brings New Global Championships Tournament to Florida appeared first on JOOLA Global.

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We caught up with Team JOOLA’s Petrissa Solja to see how she spent the last year and to learn more about her experience at the ITTF bubble events in Weihai, China and Macau. Check out our interview with her below!

Tell us what you were up to during the first half of 2020.

When the Coronavirus first started and during Germany’s lockdown, I got the news that the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics was postponed. I had been training hard and was very much looking forward to it, so I decided to take some time off to recover and to rearrange my thoughts.

Because the facilities were closed during the lockdown, I often went to my parents’ house to practice with my dad in their basement and it felt just like when my career first started.

When the Coronavirus restrictions eased, I went to Düsseldorf for several weeks to practice with the German National Team. It was so nice to see all my friends again!

After 6 months without competition, the German league started back up in September. Even though I was so happy and really enjoyed the competitions, it was a strange feeling to finally be back. Normally, I’m used to competitions every week or at least every month because during the season – when I’m not practicing with the National Team – I practice at Grünwettersbach.

How did you feel when you learned that you would be participating in the ITTF #Restart bubble events in China?

When I heard that I qualified for all 3 events in China and Macau, I was very happy and proud. I was proud because only the world’s best players were invited by ITTF to play in these tournaments and I was one of them.

How was your experience traveling and dealing with all the new safety precautions and regulations surrounding COVID-19?

It was really hard work to get permission to travel to China. Without the German Federation, it would not have been possible. There were so many regulations, documents and tests. I got the confirmation that I was cleared to travel to China only one day before my flight.

In total I stayed almost 6 weeks in Asia, and I knew it will be very tough. It was a great experience, but the two weeks of quarantine, additional COVID measures and isolation, 14 PCR tests, daily health reporting, and time difference made it an exhausting trip. 

What was it like competing at the 3 bubble events?

I had tonsillitis at the World Cup, so I really had no power during my matches. Luckily, between the Women’s World Cup and the Finals, I had many days to recover and to practice. It was a great experience getting to practice with the best players all over the world. I even got the chance to practice with Sun Yingsha, which I was very excited about.

I am very satisfied with my performance at the ITTF Finals. I had a great victory against Feng Tianwei and was even leading 2:0 against the world-ranked number one.

I was not so satisified with my performance at WTT Macau. I wished I had done better and won some more matches there. Looking back, I think I couldn’t play my best in Macau because I couldn’t keep up the intensity for so many weeks at a time. I hope to learn from this experience, be able to cope better, and perform better next time. However, the players presentations at the tournaments were awesome. I have never seen such a big screen before. I enjoyed the new orange and black theme, and the light shows. It really felt like a special event.

How do you feel about ITTF’s recent format changes?

I don’t know what to think about the format changes. In the past there had been so many changes in attempts to make it more interesting for the spectators, but I don’t those efforts made more people pay attention to table tennis because there was a lack of accessibility. It really was a great show in Macau. So many people wrote to me saying that they woke up early and wanted to follow my match, but the matches were not streamed in Germany. This was very disappointing. I don’t believe German spectators will care about any of changes ITTF made because they can’t watch many of the matches anyways.

What did you enjoy most about your bubble experience?

The people. In the past at the competitions, there was rarely time to speak with each other. 
This time in China, we all stayed together in one place for many weeks. I’m happy for the time we spent together, getting to know each other better. I think this was the most special part for me. 

Petrissa Solja's Equipment

Forehand Rubber

JOOLA Dynaryz ACC

Backhand Rubber

JOOLA Dynaryz ACC

Blade

JOOLA Nobilis PBO-C

Where to Buy

The post Catching Up with Petrissa Solja appeared first on JOOLA Global.

JOOLA Sponsors China's Top Table Tennis Club

Shandong Luneng Table Tennis Club to use JOOLA competition tables, barriers, and balls

• November 11, 2020
• By: JOOLA Table Tennis

ROCKVILLE, MD – JOOLA and Shandong Luneng Table Tennis Club (Luneng TTC) have signed an agreement for JOOLA to become the official equipment sponsor of the club. Luneng TTC is known to be one of China’s best table tennis clubs and a pioneer of the sport in China.

In 2000, Luneng TTC’s parent company, Shandong Electric Power Corporation, transformed the Shandong Province Table Tennis Team to form the first professional table tennis club in China. The club later established the Qingdao Youth Academy where some of the world’s most notable table tennis athletes have trained. Luneng TTC has garnered multiple championship titles, including 3 Chinese Table Tennis Super League Men’s League Championships and 6 Chinese Table Tennis Super League Women’s League Championships.

“Luneng is known for producing some of the world’s best table tennis players,” said Richard Lee, President of JOOLA. “We are extremely honored to support this prestigious program that has had such an undeniable impact on the sport. With JOOLA’s innovative new products and Luneng’s world-class training, we’ll be able to create a whole new experience for the next generation.”

The signing ceremony, which took place in Shandong, China on October 16th, 2020 was attended by Luneng TTC Executive Deputy General Manager Sun Jian, Shandong Electric Power Corporation Executive Deputy General Manager Zeng-Shuai, Luneng TTC Team Head Coach Guo Keli, JOOLA Asia Representative Gui Lin, JOOLA Xiamen General Manager Huang Enpei, and Deputy General Manager Guo Kele.

Following the sponsorship deal, Luneng TTC will begin to use JOOLA equipment, including JOOLA competition tables, barriers, and balls. Players who are a part of the Qingdao Youth Academy will also be sponsored by JOOLA.

“It’s a win-win for both of us. We really appreciate the sponsorship of professional table tennis equipment from JOOLA. We will also do our best to support JOOLA on product research and development as well,” said Lu Jingqi, the coach of Luneng TTC.

Additionally, the sponsorship agreement establishes a Team JOOLA sister-club partnership between Luneng TTC and Germany’s Karlsruhe Institute of Table Tennis. Players from both clubs will have the opportunity to participate in exchange programs for high-level training. Other JOOLA-sponsored players will also be given the chance to participate in these exchange programs.

“We look forward to working together with JOOLA to further expand the table tennis community,” commented Zeng-Shuai, Executive Deputy General Manager of Shandong Electric Power Corporation.

“This is an exciting opportunity that will open new doors for our players,” added Jan Zibrat, Head Coach of Karlsruhe Institute of Table Tennis. “Luneng has a great reputation and I believe players from both of our clubs will learn a lot and benefit greatly from the sister-club partnership. This creates a well-rounded training experience that encourages the exchange of European and Chinese table tennis knowledge and playing styles.

For additional information, please contact Polina Tai, Marketing & Communications Coordinator, at ptai@joola.com.

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