The ITTF South American Regional Championships 2025 have concluded with thrilling finals that determined which four teams will advance to the ITTF Pan American Championships, taking them one step closer to the historic ITTF World Championships Finals London 2026.
Chile Sweep to Double Victory
Chile produced a remarkable weekend of table tennis, claiming both the men’s and women’s regional titles to announce themselves as a force to be reckoned with heading into the Pan American Championships.
Women’s Final: Chile Edge Brazil in Epic Five-Match Battle
Chile’s women delivered a masterclass in resilience, overcoming tournament favourites Brazil 3-2 in a pulsating final that showcased the very best of South American table tennis. The match ebbed and flowed throughout, with both teams demonstrating the quality that has made this region so competitive.
Daniela Ortega set the tone for Chile, taking the opening encounter in a thrilling five-set battle against Laura Watanabe. Brazil responded immediately through Giulia Takahashi, who swept past Paulina Vega 3-0 to level the tie. Victoria Strassburger then put Brazil ahead with a commanding 3-0 victory over Valentina Rios, leaving Chile needing to win the final two matches.
The turning point came when Ortega returned to the table against Takahashi, producing some sublime table tennis to win 3-1 and keep Chile’s hopes alive. With everything on the line, Vega stepped up magnificently in the decisive fifth match, defeating Watanabe 3-1 to spark wild celebrations from the Chilean camp.
Men’s Final: Chile Dominate Venezuela
If the women’s final was a marathon, the men’s final was a sprint, with Chile sweeping past Venezuela 3-0 to complete a perfect weekend. Alfonso Olave got Chile off to the ideal start, recovering from losing the opening set to defeat Cesar Castillo 3-1 in an absorbing encounter.
Gustavo Gomez and Felipe Olivares then sealed the title with comprehensive 3-0 victories over Carlos Rios and Raymundo Jose Medina Blanco respectively, as Chile’s depth and quality shone through when it mattered most.
Ortega’s Golden Sweep
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Amongst all the drama and excitement, one player stood above the rest. Chile’s Daniela Ortega produced a tournament for the ages, claiming an unprecedented four gold medals across singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and teams. The #5 seed’s remarkable achievement becomes even more impressive considering she wasn’t amongst the tournament favourites heading into the singles competition. Ortega’s golden sweep also played a crucial role in Chile’s dominance throughout the South American championships.
Road to Pan American Championships
With Chile claiming both regional titles in dominant fashion, all four semifinalists from each competition have now secured their places at the ITTF Pan American Championships. In the women’s competition, Chile and Brazil (the finalists) join Argentina and Venezuela (the semifinalists) in progressing to the continental stage. The men’s qualification sees Chile and Venezuela (the finalists) advance alongside Brazil and Argentina (the semifinalists).
These eight teams – four men’s and four women’s – will now turn their attention to the ITTF Pan American Championships, where places at the historic ITTF World Championships Finals London 2026 await. The regional championships have proven that South America’s depth of talent will make for compelling viewing when continental glory is on the line.
Caribbean Champions Join the Mix
Earlier this month, the Caribbean Championships delivered their own drama as four teams from each gender secured Pan American Championships spots. Puerto Rico emerged as the standout performers, claiming both men’s and women’s titles with commanding performances. The men defeated Cuba 3-2 in a thrilling final, whilst the women overcame Cuba 3-2 in an equally compelling encounter. Cuba’s teams, despite falling short in both finals, joined Puerto Rico alongside semifinalists Trinidad & Tobago and Dominican Republic in securing continental qualification.
Road to London Continues
These regional championships represent the crucial first qualifying stage in the pathway to the ITTF World Championships. The top four teams that emerge from this competition will progress to the ITTF Pan American Championships, where they’ll battle for the coveted spots at London 2026.
The momentum from these regional championships will carry forward as the qualified teams prepare for the Pan American Championships, knowing that each match brings them closer to being part of table tennis history at the centenary ITTF World Championships in London.
