Hugo Calderano with two gold medals at the Pan American Games

The Pan American Games 2023 took place in Santiago, Chile, from 20/10/2023 to 05/11/2023. At this American equivalent of the European Games, the titles in 60 different sports were contested over 16 days. One player shone in table tennis: Hugo Calderano. The professional from TTBL club TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen secured the title both in the singles and with the team.

In the singles, the Brazilian started as the clear favourite and he clearly underlined this role from start to finish. Having lost just two sets, he progressed from the last 32 to the final, where he gave Cuba's Andy Pereira no chance with a 4:0 win.

In the team competition, the Brazilians were also expected to be among the front runners. After two successes in the group stage, they progressed through the quarter-finals (3:0 against Puerto Rico) to the semi-finals, where they defeated Argentina, one of their biggest rivals, 3:2. The final match was then clearer again. Hugo Calderano (8:0 record), Vitor Ishiy and Eric Jouti celebrated the title with a 3:1 win over Canada.

TTF Liebherr Ochsenhausen's top player only just missed out on triple gold. He and his training partner and friend from Ochsenhausen, Vitor Ishiy, had to settle for silver in the doubles. They were beaten 2:4 in the final by the Cubans Jorge Campos and Andy Pereira.

The haul of three medals once again demonstrates Hugo Calderano's exceptional status and high level. The TTF player is currently number four in the world rankings.

All results of the Pan American Games can be found here: https://results-santiago2023.org/#/discipline/TTE/schedule/by-event/

Photo: Nicolai Schaal