Hugo Calderano Dominates WTT Contender Buenos Aires, Claims Ninth WTT Singles Title
Hugo Calderano, the world’s number three ranked table tennis player, has emerged victorious at the WTT Contender Buenos Aires, held at the Olympic Park. The Brazilian powerhouse secured the men’s singles title, dropping only two sets across five matches. In a commanding performance, Calderano defeated Japan’s Mizuki Oikawa 4-1, igniting a thunderous ovation from over 1,000 fans in attendance at pavilion Amรฉrica.
Calderano, who had previously clinched the mixed doubles title with partner Bruna takahashi, showcased his extraordinary skill, notably in the second set. he staged a remarkable comeback from a 4-10 deficit to win the set 12-10, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Oikawa, ranked 106th in the world and a former Top 50 player in 2023, managed to take a set in the third game, bringing the score to 1-2.However, despite a strong showing throughout the week in Buenos Aires, he was ultimately unable to overcome Calderano’s superior quality and winning mentality. This victory marks a notable milestone for Calderano, who is making history by challenging chinese dominance in table tennis, having previously won the World Cup in Macao in 2025. The Buenos Aires triumph represents his ninth singles title on the WTT circuit.
calderano, who enjoyed the full support of the Argentine crowd, expressed his gratitude on social media, posting a photo with his trophy on Instagram and writing, “Thanks for all the love, Argentina! It is always a pleasure to play here.” He later elaborated on his feelings to the press.
This marks Calderano’s fourth consecutive final appearance and his third title of 2025. His successful year began with a World Cup victory in April,followed by a loss in the world championship final the next month. He then secured gold at the WTT Star Contender in Ljubljana in June.
The second edition of the WTT Contender in Argentina,following last year’s event in Mendoza,featured high-caliber matches. In the women’s singles, 17-year-old Japanese prodigy Harimoto triumphed over the experienced Cheng I Ching of Chinese Taipei. This victory marks Harimoto’s sixth WTT circuit title and her third of the year, having previously won the Contender in Tunisia and the Star Contender in india. harimoto, who has reached the top 5 of the world rankings, currently sits at 7th. Cheng, a 33-year-old player, is ranked 13th globally.The top Argentine performers were Horacio Cifuentes and Santiago Lorenzo, who reached the semifinals of the men’s doubles but were unable to replicate their 2024 Mendoza title. In a surprising upset, Kazuki Hamada and Hiramu Kobayashi, who advanced from the qualifying rounds, claimed the men’s doubles title. They defeated India’s Jain Payas and Ankur Bhattacharjee 3-1.The Indian duo had previously eliminated the Argentine pair of Horacio Cifuentes and Santiago Lorenzo in the semifinals.