The Hanoi Press and Radio-Television Table Tennis Tournament 2026 has restructured its men’s doubles brackets to create a dedicated division for players aged 60 and older, vietnam.vn reported. Organizers implemented the rule change to resolve competitive disparities caused by wide age gaps in previous editions of the city-wide competition.
Bracket Split Resolves Age Disparities
In past iterations of the tournament, formerly known as the Hanoi Moi Newspaper Open, men’s doubles players aged 45 and older competed in a single combined bracket. While the division regularly drew former professionals and produced intense matches, tournament officials noticed a growing competitive gap. Players in their sixties and seventies retained their technical skills and talent, but they struggled against the speed, agility, and quicker shots of opponents in their mid-40s.
Even when sexagenarian players partnered with younger competitors, the combined teams often fell short against younger, agile pairings. Chief Referee To Duc Hoa noted that numerous players over 60 repeatedly approached tournament officials to request a separate division for older athletes to ensure fairer competition.
To address these concerns, the organizing committee for the 2026 tournament split the 45-and-older men’s doubles category into two distinct groups: one for players aged 45 to 59, and a separate bracket for competitors aged 60 and above. Organizers project that the new over-60 category will attract 50 to 60 participants, a significant increase from the 20 to 30 players who entered the combined bracket in past years.
Players Welcome the Format Adjustments
Pham Van Le, a table tennis player over the age of 70 residing on Thuy Khue Street in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district, praised the rule change as an important step forward for the city’s table tennis community. He stated that the adjustment better serves the competitive needs of older athletes and confirmed he is recruiting a club partner to enter the 2026 tournament.
Beyond the men’s doubles restructuring, organizers also added a women’s doubles category for players under 45. The adjustments aim to give participants optimal conditions to compete against peers of similar age and skill levels, preserving the long-term passion and engagement of recreational and veteran athletes across Hanoi.
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