Hugo Calderano, a 29-year-old table tennis player from Rio de Janeiro, has made headlines by taking the second position in the ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation) world ranking. This achievement is particularly significant as it marks the best ranking ever achieved by a player from outside Asia or Europe. With a total of 6,050 points, Calderano surpassed the Chinese player Lin Shidong, who fell to 5,875 points after the results from the Singapore Smash 2025 were taken into account. This new ranking secures Calderano's vice-leadership until at least March 1, 2026, coinciding with the conclusion of the upcoming Singapore Smash tournament, where he is set to compete.

In an enthusiastic reaction to his accomplishment, Calderano expressed his pride in representing Brazil in an unprecedented manner within the realm of table tennis. He emphasized that this achievement stems from an incredible season, one that he considers the best of his career thus far. The young athlete's journey reflects not only personal resilience and hard work but also contributes to elevating the profile of table tennis in Brazil, a nation not traditionally associated with success in this sport.

Looking ahead, Calderano's next challenge is the Singapore Smash tournament scheduled between February 22 and March 1. Apart from aiming to maintain his rank, Calderano has expressed aspirations for further significant results in the current year, indicating his commitment to continuing his upward trajectory in the sport. His success serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes in Brazil and may encourage increased interest in table tennis within the country, potentially leading to future investments and developments in the sport.