Bay Area Blasters hire 2-time U.S. Olympian, Chicago Wind player Tim Wang as new coach

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The Bay Area Blasters are making a coaching change from within the Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) family.

The Blasters are hiring 11-time U.S. champion and two-time U.S. Olympic team member Tim Wang as their new coach. Wang also played in MLTT Season 1 for the Chicago Wind.

“I am excited to continue working alongside the high level athletes and coaches in MLTT,” Wang told MLTT.com. “There are many strong teams, but as head coach I will do my best to bring the Bay Area Blasters to a championship title.”

Wang takes the helm for the Blasters at a crucial point in MLTT’s offseason.

He’ll face the league’s May 15 deadline to offer roster spots to veteran Blasters. Top players like free-agent find Senura Silva (No. 3), Jinbao Ma (No. 6), Elsayed Lashin (No. 14), Tao Wengzhang (No. 24), Alexis Douin (No. 36), and Lily Zhang (No. 41) are all top options for a second season in red and orange.

All teams will navigate MLTT’s first trade market before the trade deadline on May 17. The Blasters also pick sixth overall in the 2024 MLTT Draft at 12PM ET on May 21.

Wang has options to put his stamp on the Blasters’ roster. But he also likes the players he’s inheriting after a successful first season.

“I think results of the inaugural season showed that the Blasters are strong,” Wang said. “For any coach, collaboration and spirit are two important traits for team competition. And after reviewing some of the their matches, I see (their) chemistry is good.

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