When Ubiraci “Biriba” Rodrigues da Costa stepped onto the court in Beijing in 1961, few could have predicted what would unfold. The 15-year-old from Brazil was about to deliver one of table tennis’s most shocking upsets, defeating World Champion Rong Guotan before a stunned crowd of 15,000 Chinese supporters.
The victory reverberated far beyond the arena walls. In an instant, Brazilian table tennis had arrived on the world stage, and a teenager had become the catalyst for generations of players who would follow in his footsteps.
The magnitude of Biriba’s Beijing triumph was reflected in Brazil’s reaction. He joined the pantheon of national sporting heroes alongside Pelé and Maria Esther Bueno, receiving personal congratulations from President Jânio Quadros. The telegram from the nation’s highest office underscored how completely his achievement had captured the Brazilian imagination.
Biriba’s talent had been evident years before Beijing. At just 13, he had already made headlines by defeating Japanese World Champions Toshiaki Tanaka and Ichiro Ogimura in exhibition matches in São Paulo. That same remarkable year saw him become the first South American player to claim all four titles at the South American Championships — singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and team — a clean sweep that announced his arrival emphatically.
The professional landscape of 1960s table tennis offered limited opportunities for sustained elite careers, yet Biriba’s influence extended far beyond his competitive peak. He later dominated Brazil’s veterans’ circuit for over a decade, his presence inspiring players across multiple generations.
For Biriba, success was measured in more than trophies accumulated:
“Table tennis isn’t just about victories, titles, and fame. For me, the most important thing was the friendships, the socialisation of children. Having a competitive spirit, knowing how to win and lose, prepares us for life.”
This perspective shaped how he viewed the sport’s evolution in Brazil. Speaking about Hugo Calderano’s breakthrough performance at Rio 2016, Biriba called it “extraordinary” and prophetic of Brazilian table tennis’s bright future. His prediction proved remarkably accurate — Calderano has since claimed the ITTF Men’s World Cup 2025 title, reached a World Championships final, and established himself among the globe’s elite players.
Today’s success stories in Brazilian table tennis — led by Calderano’s remarkable achievements — can trace their lineage directly to that pivotal moment in Beijing over six decades ago. Biriba didn’t just win a match; he opened a pathway, established a tradition, and proved that Brazilian players belonged among the world’s finest.
His legacy lives not only in record books but in the continued belief that anything is possible when talent meets opportunity. The door he forced open in 1961 remains wide open today.
The ITTF joins the Brazilian Table Tennis Confederation (CBTM), his family, and the global sporting community in mourning the loss of Ubiraci “Biriba” Rodrigues da Costa, who passed away today. His remarkable life story and impact on the sport will forever be remembered as that of a pioneer whose influence transcended any single victory.