By: Sean O’Neill, U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Famer
Live from the 2025 U.S. Nationals in Ontario, CA, the event wrapped up an electric week with over 850 entries and a strong showing from MLTT players—both competing and coaching. From center court drama to behind-the-scenes mentorship, Major League Table Tennis continued to shape the U.S. table tennis landscape.
On the men’s side, Nandan Naresh of the Texas Smash battled his way to the final after a thrilling seven-game semifinal victory over Jishan Liang of the expansion New York Slice. He faced Kanak Jha, who had powered past Sean Zhang of the Chicago Wind in straight games (4–0). In a high-paced, back-and-forth final, it was Kanak Jha who emerged as the 2025 U.S. National Men’s Singles Champion, defeating Naresh 4–1. It marked Kanak’s sixth national title, tying him with Princeton Pong’s legendary coach and 3-time Olympian David Zhuang for most U.S. Men’s Singles Championships in modern history.
Nandan Naresh (left) and Kanak Jha (right) battled in the Men’s Singles Final at the 2025 U.S. Nationals. The crowd was electric for this heavyweight showdown. Jha had Jörg Bitzigeio, head coach of the Texas Smash, in his corner, while Naresh was supported courtside by his MLTT teammate Hiromitsu Kasahara.
In the women’s draw, Texas Smash’s Amy Wang had defeated Tiffany Ke of the Chicago Wind in the semifinals 4–1 to set up a much-anticipated final with rising star Sally Moyland. In the final, it was Sally Moyland who took control and claimed her first U.S. National Women’s Singles title with a commanding 4–1 victory over Wang.
Sally Moyland (right) and Amy Wang (left) squared off in the Women’s Singles Final at the 2025 U.S. Nationals in Ontario, CA. Packed stands and high-stakes intensity defined the championship atmosphere.
Mixed Doubles had already crowned its champions—Portland Paddlers’ Nikhil Kumar teamed up with Sally Moyland to take the title in dominant fashion, defeating Amy Wang and Bosman Botha of 888 TTC 3–0 in the final. Impressively, they didn’t drop a single game throughout the entire event. The chemistry and sharp tactics on display demonstrated exactly why so many MLTT players thrive in team formats.
Nikhil Kumar (far right) continued his doubles dominance pairing up with Sally Moyland over Amy Wang and Bosman Botha in straight games.
In Women’s Doubles, Amy Wang and 12-year-old US cadet star Abigail Yu captured the national title in convincing fashion, winning 3–0 over Sally Moyland and Jessica Reyes-Lai.
Texas Smash’s Amy Wang and Abigail Yu are all smiles as the 2025 US Women’s Nationals Doubles Champions over Jessica Reyes-Lai and Sally Moyland.
The Men’s Doubles final featured an all-MLTT showdown between Portland Paddlers’ Nikhil Kumar and Sid Naresh versus Texas Smash’s Nandan Naresh and Daniel Tran of the Chicago Wind. The Paddlers showed strong teamwork, taking the title 3–1, and continued their winning streak after claiming the NCTTA Men’s Doubles and Team titles. Sid will travel next to the World University Games to represent UC Berkeley and Team USA.
Portland Paddlers’ Nikhil Kumar and Sid Naresh kept their doubles winning streak alive from the 2025 NCTTA National Championships in Rockford, IL to Ontario, CA win an impressive win of Daniel Tran (Chicago Wind) and Nandan Naresh (Texas Smash).
As the tournament concluded, fans also got a glimpse into the future. Although the doubles events followed traditional ITTF serving rules, Major League Table Tennis Season 3 will feature a game-changing new rule that allows doubles players to serve to any part of the table. This innovation ensures that teamwork and footwork will be at a premium and is set to reshape how MLTT pairings approach serve-and-receive dynamics.
Beyond the match results, what stood out just as much was the off-court presence. MLTT athletes were all over the venue—coaching, supporting clubs, and inspiring younger players. Whether it was a finals table showdown or courtside advice, MLTT’s influence was felt throughout the entire event.
The Paddle Palace booth served as a central hub for fans, players, and families—thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat, ask questions, and share their love for the game. Season 3 is just around the corner, and the 2025 U.S. Nationals made it clear: the future of American table tennis is brighter than ever.
About The Author:
Sean O’Neill is a U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Famer, Olympian, and one of the most respected voices in the sport. With decades of experience on and off the court, he brings expert analysis, insider perspectives, and unfiltered takes on the tactics, trends, and stories shaping table tennis today.
