A sport for everyone

City Centre

Winnipeg

Table tennis is hot right now.

So hot that Marty Supreme, a recent movie about a table tennis player from New York’s Lower East Side, played by Timothée Chalamet, has earned itself nine Academy Award nominations — including best picture, best actor (Chalamet) and a best director nod for Josh Safdie.

So it’s no wonder that the Manitoba Table Tennis Association is putting in the work to make table tennis as accessible as possible to those looking to pick up a paddle and join in on the fun.

While Marty Supreme features its share of healthy movie magic, presenting the sport at its global peak in the 1950s and lacing the match scenes with energetic cuts and cinematography for maximum effect, its depiction of competitive play wasn’t that far off the mark.

While the game can be intense — a test of both mental and physical stimulation — MTTA executive director Carlos Cuadra doesn’t want that to scare people away.

“It’s proven scientifically that table tennis helps the brain light up … It’s a way to keep the brain healthier,” Cuadra said.

“You’re so focused on the ball, there’s no time to worry,” he added. “It’s mindfulness, it helps you calm down after a long day.”

Before he became involved with the sport at an organizational level, Cuadra was a casual player. One of the first things he did after immigrating to Winnipeg from Nicaragua was seek out local table tennis groups as a way to make friends and build community.

“One thing that’s strong about our community is how welcoming they are,” he said. “I was the guy that no one knew, but I was lucky that people invited me to play … many of our (current) players are on the same board.”

Cuadra, who has been playing for 14 years, said he entered his first local tournament with confidence and wound up losing all of his matches. Laughing, he said the experienced furthered his relationship with the sport and the people here.

Table tennis is played all over the world, and the local community reflects that diversity, with players hailing from China, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Chile, and more.

“The most rewarding part of my job is when I get to see people make friends,” he said. “That’s what gets me going … That feels really nice.”

Aside from regular competitions, such as the upcoming Manitoba Open on March 21 and 22, the MTTA hosts its Active for Life program at Daniel McIntyre Collegiate (720 Alverstone St.) every Monday and Thursday from 6 to 9:30 p.m. These sessions are open to people of all ages and skill levels.

“We’re friendly, but very competitive, too,” Cuadra said. “Some people will be surprised with our intensity … Even little kids, they’ll be fired up about it. It’s not something you see in a lot of sports.”

In addition, there will always be people to help out if you need help mastering a skill, a shot or game strategy, Cuadra added.

For those who are curious about the game but not ready to jump right in, there are public tables at The Forks Market, next to the Phantom Amusement arcade. On April 23, which is World Table Tennis Day, MTTA will host a Table Tennis for All event from 5 to 8 p.m. in the south aisle of The Forks Market building.

Later on this year, Winnipeg will host the Table Tennis Canada 2026 Canadian Championships from July 17 to 23, offering locals a chance to see the closest thing to Marty Mauser’s skills on a local scale, according to Cuadra.

For more information on MTTA programs such as Active for Life and upcoming tournaments, visit mtta.ca