// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Texas Smash say to the wall? You're going to get smashed.
 | |
| Founded | 2023 |
|---|---|
| League | Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) |
| Conference | Western Division |
| Location | Texas |
| Arena | Multiple venues (Tour-based) |
Owner | Anita and Mahesh Joshi |
Head coach | Jörg Bitzigeio |
| Championships | 1 (2023–24) |
| Website | mltt |
The Texas Smash are a professional table tennis team based in Texas. The team competes in the Western Division of Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) and was the winner of the league's inaugural championship in 2024.
History
[edit]The Texas Smash were established in 2023 as one of the eight founding teams for Major League Table Tennis (MLTT). In September 2023, Anita and Mahesh Joshi purchased the franchise.[1] The Texas Smash's managing director, Mahesh Joshi, is also a published business author and the Managing Director of MAN Energy Solutions.[2]
During the 2023–2024 season, the Smash had an overall record of 11–11 throughout the regular season. In the playoffs, they defeated the Carolina Gold Rush in their semifinal matchup. The Texas Smash then won the inaugural MLTT Cup by defeating the Princeton Revolution in the championship final.[3]
During the 2024–2025 season, the Smash finished with the best overall record in the Western Division at the end of the regular season. They advanced to the championship game but finished as runners-up following a loss to the Carolina Gold Rush.[4]
Coaching Transition
[edit]During the 2025–26 season, the Smash finished with an 8–10 record, missing the postseason for the first time. On March 24, 2026, the team announced the hiring of Paul Drinkhall as head coach, replacing Jörg Bitzigeio, who had faced travel restrictions due to visa issues.[5]
Collegiate and Community Impact
[edit]The franchise has been active in connecting professional table tennis with collegiate programs. Managing director Mahesh Joshi has stated that the professionalization of the sport through MLTT serves to stimulate competitive levels at the collegiate level.[6] This relationship is demonstrated by the development of local talent and the involvement of student-athletes in the professional ecosystem, creating a developmental trajectory for players transitioning from university teams to the professional league.[6]
Current roster (2025–26)
[edit]| Player | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amy Wang |  United States | 2024 Olympian; 2x U.S. National Champion[7] |
| João Monteiro |  Portugal | 4-time Olympian; European Champion; 2025 Draft Pick[8] |
| David McBeath |  England | Team Captain |
| Nandan Naresh | United States | 2024 Olympian |
| Guodong Liang |  China | Rookie (2025–26 season)[9] |
| Hiromitsu Kasahara |  Japan | |
| Anirban Ghosh |  India |
Season-by-season records
[edit]| Season | Record | Points | Division Finish | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | 11–11 | 227 | 2nd, West | Champions |
| 2024–25 | 11–7 | 203 | 1st, West | Runners-up |
| 2025–26 | 8–10 | 184 | 3rd, West | Did not qualify |
* Final regular season standings as of April 15, 2026.[10]
References
[edit]- ↑ "MLTT Sells 6 Teams to Star-Studded Group of Investors". mltt.com. September 21, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Mr. Mahesh Joshi 1982 batch and his wife Ms. Anita own the Texas Smash". DCE-DTU Alumni Association. May 22, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
- ↑ Hopkins, Steve (May 8, 2024). "Texas Smash Win the Inaugural Major League Table Tennis Cup". Butterfly Online. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Carolina Gold Rush 2025 Champions". mltt.com. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Jorg Bitzigeio out, Paul Drinkhall hired as Texas Smash coach". Table Tennis TV. March 24, 2026.
- 1 2 McKinley, Megan (February 17, 2026). "From Boardroom to Backspin: UH Table Tennis Team Thrives on Shared Passion". University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Amy Wang - Texas Smash". mltt.com. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Joao Monteiro - Texas Smash". mltt.com. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Guodong Liang - Texas Smash". mltt.com. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
- ↑ "Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) Team Standings". butterflyonline.com. April 15, 2026. Retrieved April 15, 2026.