T2 is changing the game again. In 1991, the James Cameron classic "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" (pushed on posters as "T2") ushered in a new era of filmmaking. The first film to feature a computer-generated character, the protean liquid metal T-1000 terminator, T2 raised the bar for special effects and overall entertainment in Hollywood. Now, another T2 is threatening to disrupt the status quo. Since 2017, the T2 Asia-Pacific Table Tennis League has been shaking things up with its unique rules and flashy presentation. Founded by Seamaster shipping magnate Frank Ji, T2 has attracted the biggest names in the sport with record prize money, amounting to $1.5 million over three events in 2019. Another attractive attribute for players and fans alike is the sudden-death scoring system. Games are still to 11, but the two point margin is no longer required, i.e. the first point after deuce wins the game. There is also a 24 minute timer for the match. If the matter is not concluded in this window, each subsequent game is decided by a race to five points, marketed as "FAST5." Throw in some lights and music, and any world-class table tennis players you happen to have lying around, and you have a thoroughly entertaining spectacle. T2 has thus far stayed close to its geographic origins in East Asia, staging events in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. Its partnership with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), however, suggests a more global reach, evidence of which is now found in the United States. This week, USA Table Tennis (USATT) has announced the debut of “Thursday Night Live: T2 Challenge." Billed as "America's first virtual table tennis challenge," the 11-week tournament series offers the world-class competition of a major tournament while minimizing the safety risks posed by the current COVID-19 pandemic. This Thursday at New York's Westchester Table Tennis Center, the USATT will livestream a heated match in T2 format between former national champion and Olympian Tom Feng and Kai Zhang, the second-highest ranked American man in the world. The winner will receive $1,000, with $500 for the runner-up. Then, things really get interesting. This match is the first of 11 between top women and men in the USA, to be held every Thursday at major cities around the country. The loser of the first match will then pick one player in the second match as his virtual teammate. This will continue until one of the teams wins six matches, ideally in the 11th week of competition for maximum drama. While many of the matchups are yet to be determined, weeks 2-4 all promise exciting coed battles at the Westchester Table Tennis Center. Future matches will be held in Los Angeles, the Bay Area and Houston. USATT High-Performance Director Sean O'Neill, instrumental in staging the groundbreaking virtual tournament, was quick to share the credit. "I would personally like to thank Anil Godhwani of the Indian Community Table Tennis Center for his counsel and support during the planning stages of this new USATT event, and Will Shortz for hosting the debut matches at the Westchester Table Tennis Center," said O'Neill. Frank Ji, T2 founder and chairman, is pleased to see his brainchild playing well with others. "T2 is ecstatic that our very first virtual table tennis challenge will be premiering," said Ji. "We are glad that T2’s playing format can now be introduced and showcased through this new series with USATT." Will Shortz, owner of the Westchester Table Tennis Center where it all begins, invites up to 50 total people to attend (the maximum allowable at the newly expanded club, under current coronavirus protocols). Everyone else is encouraged to tune in on Thursdays at 8:40 EST via the link below. "I hope you can see these historic matches one way or another," says Shortz. First movies, now sports. What is T2 going to revolutionize next? Stay tuned!

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