{{Short description|American table tennis team}} {{Infobox sports team | name = Texas Smash | logo = Texas_Smash_Logo.png | league = Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) | conference = Western Division | founded = 2023 | location = Texas | arena = Multiple venues (Tour-based) | owner = Anita and Mahesh Joshi | | coach = Jörg Bitzigeio | championships = 1 (2023–24) | website = {{URL|https://mltt.com/team/texas-smash/}} }}
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 == 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.<ref name="MLTT_Sale">{{cite web |title=MLTT Sells 6 Teams to Star-Studded Group of Investors |url=https://www.mltt.com/news/major-league-table-tennis-unveils-sale-of-its-first-six-teams |website=mltt.com |date=September 21, 2023 |access-date=March 14, 2026}}</ref> The Texas Smash's managing director, Mahesh Joshi, is also a published business author and the Managing Director of MAN Energy Solutions.<ref name="DCE">{{cite web |title=Mr. Mahesh Joshi 1982 batch and his wife Ms. Anita own the Texas Smash |url=https://www.dcedtualumni.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=241 |website=DCE-DTU Alumni Association |date=May 22, 2024 |access-date=March 14, 2026}}</ref>
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.<ref name="Butterfly_Win">{{cite web |last=Hopkins |first=Steve |title=Texas Smash Win the Inaugural Major League Table Tennis Cup |url=https://butterflyonline.com/texas-smash-win-the-inaugural-major-league-table-tennis-cup/ |website=Butterfly Online |date=May 8, 2024 |access-date=March 14, 2026}}</ref>
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.<ref name="MLTT_Recap">{{cite web |title=Carolina Gold Rush 2025 Champions |url=https://www.mltt.com/mltt-team/carolina-gold-rush |website=mltt.com |access-date=March 14, 2026}}</ref>
== Coaching Transition== 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jorg Bitzigeio out, Paul Drinkhall hired as Texas Smash coach |url=https://news.tabletennis.tv/news/mltt-jorg-bitzigeio-paul-drinkhall-texas-smash-coach |publisher=Table Tennis TV |date=March 24, 2026}}</ref>
==Collegiate and Community Impact== 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.<ref name="Bauer2026">{{cite web |last=McKinley |first=Megan |url=https://bauerstories.uh.edu/from-boardroom-to-backspin/ |title=From Boardroom to Backspin: UH Table Tennis Team Thrives on Shared Passion |publisher=University of Houston C. T. Bauer College of Business |date=February 17, 2026 |access-date=April 15, 2026}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Bauer2026" /> === Current roster (2025–26) === {| class="wikitable" |- ! Player !! Country !! Notes |- | '''Amy Wang''' || {{USA}} || 2024 Olympian; 2x U.S. National Champion<ref name="Wang">{{cite web |title=Amy Wang - Texas Smash |url=https://www.mltt.com/team-members/amy-wang |website=mltt.com |access-date=March 14, 2026}}</ref> |- | '''João Monteiro''' || {{POR}} || 4-time Olympian; European Champion; 2025 Draft Pick<ref name="Monteiro">{{cite web |title=Joao Monteiro - Texas Smash |url=https://www.mltt.com/team-members/joao-monteiro |website=mltt.com |access-date=March 14, 2026}}</ref> |- | '''David McBeath''' || {{ENG}} || Team Captain |- | '''Nandan Naresh''' || {{USA}} || 2024 Olympian |- | '''Guodong Liang''' || {{CHN}} || Rookie (2025–26 season)<ref name="Liang">{{cite web |title=Guodong Liang - Texas Smash |url=https://www.mltt.com/team-members/guodong-liang |website=mltt.com |access-date=March 14, 2026}}</ref> |- | '''Hiromitsu Kasahara''' || {{JPN}} || |- | '''Anirban Ghosh''' || {{IND}} || |}
== Season-by-season records == {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! 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'' |} <small>''* Final regular season standings as of April 15, 2026.''</small><ref name="FinalStandings2026">{{cite web |title=Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) Team Standings |url=https://butterflyonline.com/major-league-table-tennis-mltt/ |website=butterflyonline.com |date=April 15, 2026 |access-date=April 15, 2026}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
Category:Table tennis teams in the United States Category:2023 establishments in Texas Category:Sports clubs and teams established in 2023 Category:Professional sports clubs and teams in the United States Category:Sports clubs and teams in Texas