Brazilian Table Tennis Player Barred from Entering the U.S. to Compete Due to Tournament in Cuba Two Years Ago
Calderano says he was denied authorization because of a 2023 trip; U.S. Embassy declines to comment
Jul.4.2025 11:41AM
Hugo Calderano, currently ranked No. 3 in the world in table tennis, will not be able to compete in the Grand Smash tournament in Las Vegas, United States. The Brazilian did not receive authorization to enter the country in time for the competition, one of the most prestigious in the sport. According to his team, the reason was a trip to Cuba in 2023.
(250623) -- LJUBLJANA, June 23, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Hugo Calderano of Brazil hits a return during the men's singles final match against Felix Lebrun of France at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Star Contender Ljubljana 2025 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, June 22, 2025. (Photo by Zeljko Stevanic/Xinhua)
In top form, having recently won the World Cup and a silver medal at the World Championships, the athlete holds Portuguese citizenship. Since EU countries are part of the visa waiver program, he only needed to register his entry through the ESTA system.
Due to an unusual delay in approval, Calderano contacted U.S. authorities. He was informed that he was not eligible for the waiver because of his 2023 trip to Cuba, where he competed in the Pan American Games and a qualifier for the Paris Olympics.
He tried to obtain an emergency visa, but despite support from the U.S. Table Tennis Association and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, he could not secure a consular interview in time.
When contacted, the U.S. Embassy in Brazil said it could not comment on the case.
https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/sports/2025/07/brazilian-table-tennis-player-barred-from-entering-the-us-to-compete-due-to-tournament-in-cuba-two-years-ago.shtml
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