ITTF Centenary Photography Awards

Created to mark ITTF - International Table Tennis Federation’s centenary in 2026, the ITTF Centenary Photography Awards will celebrate 100 years of table tennis through iconic modern images, archive discovery and global fan participation.

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A table tennis player in red prepares to strike the ball mid-air during a competitive match with an audience in the background.

Table tennis player in mid-air striking the ball with a paddle during a match under colorful stage lights.

Focused female table tennis player in a blue shirt preparing to serve with paddle and ball near her face against a dark background.

Female table tennis player in red hitting the ball during a match under purple spotlight.

Black and white photo of a man intently looking at a table tennis ball in mid-air above him.

Young female table tennis player in a purple shirt focuses on the ball mid-game against a dark background.

Table tennis match in a large indoor arena with a crowd watching under bright lights and smoke effects overhead.

Female table tennis player in pink shirt serving the ball on a dark background.

Table tennis player with glasses intensely focused on the ball while preparing to hit it with a paddle.

About ITTF

The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) is the world governing body of tabletennis, representing 227 Member Associations. In 2026, the ITTF celebrates its centenary, marking 100 years since its foundation in 1926 and 100 years since the first ITTF World Championships. From its founding members to a global family spanning every continent, the ITTF inspires sustainable growth for the sport through engagement, development, and passion.

History

100 years of ITTF

The professional awards will be judged to World Sports Photography Awards standards by a panel assembled jointly by ITTF and WSPA. The archive drive will also encourage the discovery, digitisation and preservation of rare photographs from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Selected images from both strands will be brought together as part of the wider centenary programme.

Black and white photo of two boys cleaning chairs in an empty large auditorium with wooden chairs, a table in the center, and a ladder near the stage.

Pre 1945

The Origins of Table Tennis - imagery from former world events, celebrated figures, and treasured family archives comes together to tell the story of how the sport began.

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1945 - 1969

The Evolution of the Sport– new equipment, rules and attire began shaping the game into the professional spectacle we recognise today.

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Woman in mid-air playing table tennis indoors, poised to hit the ball with a paddle.

Young man in a striped shirt standing behind several tall stacks of papers with newspaper clippings on the wall behind him.

1970 - 1999

Olympic Inclusion – finally recognised as an Olympic sport, table tennis experienced significant growth, and these images seek to capture that landmark era.

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2000 - 2009

The turn of the century brought several rule changes designed to create a faster, more exciting game for players and spectators alike.

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Table tennis player in a red and yellow shirt preparing to serve the ball during a match.

Multiple table tennis matches taking place simultaneously in an indoor arena with London 2012 Olympic branding and cameras recording each table.

2010 - 2019

China's domination continued throughout the Olympic Games, claiming every gold medal on offer. This era also saw the introduction of the plastic ball at both the World Championships and the Olympics.

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2020 - 2026

Modern photography that elevates the game to a new level – creating contemporary history that, in time, may be looked back on with the same appreciation as all that came before it.

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Judges

The World Sports Photography Awards Jury is made up of senior individuals from sport, media, brands and photography from around the world. They all relish their involvement and are active in helping to promote the awards. They are recused from any categories where there is a conflict of interest. Our judges are as passionate about brilliant sports photography as we are.