12th "Confucius Cup" Table Tennis Open Tournament Concluded Successfully in Ireland

The 12th “Confucius Cup” Table Tennis Open, co-hosted by the UCD Confucius Institute and Loop Table Tennis Club, concluded successfully after eight days of intense competition. This year’s tournament welcomed over 300 players from more than 20 countries, including China, Ireland, Vietnam, France, Poland, Hungary, the UK, Japan, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, Moldova, Denmark, Nigeria, Myanmar, the Philippines, the Netherlands, and Brazil.

A key highlight of this year’s event was the participation of three Olympic-level athletes: Allan Bentsen (Denmark), Frane Kojic (Croatia), Nandor Ecseki (Hungary).

The competition featured a broad range of categories, including Mixed Singles, Premier Open Banded, and Junior categories, catering to various skill levels and age groups. With over 2,000 matches held across eight days, the event showcased exceptional talent and dedication.

In the Mixed Open Singles, Arthur Bialek (Poland) claimed the championship, while Chornobaiev Stanislav (Ukraine) finished as runner-up. In the Premier Open Banded category, Bialek again emerged victorious, with Filip Cipin taking second place. In the Under-18 category, Bruce Tan secured the top spot, followed by Vincent Ni.

Participants ranged in age from 9 to 75 years old, highlighting the inclusive and lifelong nature of table tennis. Professor Xie Jiangnan, Chinese Director of the UCD Confucius Institute, attended the award ceremony and presented prizes to the winners.

Having developed over more than a decade, the Confucius Cup has become one of Ireland’s most prominent table tennis events. It not only offers a high-level competition platform for players around the world but also upholds the spirit of “ping-pong diplomacy,” fostering friendship and cultural exchange through sport.  ((June, 2025)