The 2014 Commonwealth Games were held in Glasgow from July 23 to August 3 with 71 nations competing in 18 different sports, table tennis among them. If you’ve never watched table tennis before, then you might be forgiven for thinking that it’s not particularly exciting. Think again.
Table tennis, or ping-pong (or whiff-whaff if you’re Boris Johnson), has been an Olympic sport since 1988, and has been approved for the Commonwealth Games since 2002. If you think about it, it’s quite an appropriate sport for the Commonwealth Games considering its origin as a British parlour game, possibly first created by British military officers in India or South Africa.
This amazing men’s singles table tennis match was between Nigeria’s Segun Toriola and Singapore’s Ning Gao. Both are ranked as the top player in their home countries, so this third round match was bound to be a tense and exciting one.
The ball flies across the table almost too fast to see, and Toriola pulls off some incredible lunges as they go for an unbelievable 41-shot rally. The Nigerian player is on the defensive while the Chinese player returns surely and confidently, until he eventually hits the ball long, no doubt frustrated by how much time it’s taking to finish his opponent. Watch the video below to see a clip of the action and check out the screenshots, which were pretty difficult to capture given how fast everything was moving.
Gao ultimately won the match 4-0, and went on to the finals only to lose to fellow Singaporean Jian Zhan. However, despite losing the match overall, it was Toriolo’s epic stamina in this rally that really got the crowds going, and showed just how exhilarating ping-pong can be.
▼ Gao serves.
▼ Toriolo finds himself in a defensive position, lunging left and right.
▼ Gao begins to get frustrated at his opponent’s tenacity.
▼ The moment Toriola wins the point.
Source: Commonwealth Games on YouTube, Commonwealth Games Official Site
This table tennis comedy video isn’t “boring.” It may be the best video ever!
TIL: Table tennis tables are blue because of a Japanese comedian’s random comment
Table tennis rally between Japanese and Chinese players raises cheers from all countries【Video】
Sales of Jun Mizutani Curry skyrocket, show why it pays to back your Olympic hopefuls
Chinese table tennis champ stripped of $45k prize after emotional outburst【Video】
Studio Ghibli adds new Jiji’s baby plush toy to its anime merchandise range in Japan
Beautiful off-the-beaten-path spot near samurai castle in rural Japan looks like a Monet painting
Tokyo sweets store has a “350% Pudding Soft Serve”, and people are going wild for it
Japanese figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu and Winne-the-Pooh announce crossover merch line [Pics]
Wagyu ramen for foreign tourists appears in Kabukicho, with a very high price tag
Shinto shrine in downtown Tokyo announces cosplay ban
This awesome Japanese arcade chain has crane game coaches to help you win prizes
Studio Ghibli releases new Kiki’s Delivery Service Jiji music box for anime fans
McDonald’s Japan’s new Chiikawa Happy Meal figures are here![Photos]
Stray cats almost became classified as an invasive species in Japan but the change was overturned
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Anime fan in Japan arrested for ordering and cancelling over 4.3 billion yen in anime merch
Starbucks Japan teams up with Traveler’s Company for new stationery and goods collection
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Beautiful Totoro bonsai figure needs no watering, makes soothing rain showers whenever you want
Japan’s new beer glass is designed to force you to drink…water [Video]
End of a manga era as Weekly Shonen Jump’s circulation drops under one million
Kochia calling: Right now is a great off-season season to visit this beautiful Japanese park
This beautiful rural Japan river is a great alternative to touristy summer retreats [Photos]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japanese Olympics table tennis player has uncanny flair for mimicking anime characters on court
Absolutely insane Wii Sports tennis video shows it may be the greatest action game ever made