Thrill from Brazil chases elusive title in Doha

Brazilian superstar Hugo Calderano has a point to prove as the table tennis season kicks off in Doha later this week.

The 29-year-old enjoyed a successful 2025, bagging three WTT Series singles titles and regaining his career-best ranking of World No.3, having drifted three spaces back at the turn of the year.

Lusail Sports Arena in Doha is just days away from bringing the opening action of WTT Series 2026, as fans get ready to witness the world’s best table tennis stars fight for the highly-coveted spoils at WTT Champions Doha 2026.

But as the drama prepares to unfold, Calderano sets his sights on a new goal, a milestone he is yet to surpass – a WTT Champions title.

It comes as a rather elusive landmark for the World No.3. Calderano has been on the cusp of the winner’s trophy on two previous occasions in the past, only to fall both times at the final hurdle.

Back in 2024, the Thrill from Brazil made his way to the Men’s Singles title battle at WTT Champions Incheon 2024, only to be denied the top spot by Chinese ace Liang Jingkun, the latter taking the win in five games.

Calderano would be given another chance at WTT Champions Macao 2025, but it wasn’t to be, as he was dismissed by Wang Chuqin in four straight games, a tough loss for Calderano.

But a true champion picks himself up and looks to the horizon with hope and ambition. Calderano will certainly be aiming for nothing but the title, an accolade which has potentially evaded him for the last time.

Calderano will be need to bring his A-Game if he is to emerge victorious from this event, however, with the likes of Lin Shidong, Truls Moregard, Tomokazu Harimoto and Felix Lebrun all looking to successfully end their campaign with the Men’s Singles title.

And they aren’t the only players who could pose a serious problem for the Brazilian powerhouse. Familiar foe Liang Jingkun is also in the running, as is WTT Champions Frankfurt 2025 champion Sora Matsushima, and they will also want their piece of the pie in Doha.

Only victory will be Calderano’s mind, though, and he is certainly a man capable of such a result. He has beaten and dominated the best in the past, and his fans will be behind him, as he renews the quest for his first-ever WTT Champions title at the Lusail Sports Arena.