Hugo Calderano BLOCKED from WTT US Smash After Cuba Trip Shocker!

Hugo Calderano did not participate in the WTT US Smash due to bureaucratic difficulties related to his entry into the United States.

As a Portuguese citizen, Hugo would normally be eligible to enter the United States through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), since Portugal is part of the Visa Waiver Program for European Union countries.

Hugo submitted his ESTA application as usual. However, due to an unusually long processing time by the U.S. authorities, he proactively contacted U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). He was then informed that he was no longer eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, as he had traveled to Cuba in 2023 to compete in the Pan American Championships and the Olympic Qualifying Event for Paris 2024 — both sanctioned by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Faced with this situation, Hugo immediately took steps to obtain an emergency visa, with support from the United States Table Tennis Association (USATT) and the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC). Although the emergency appointment was approved, there was no available consular interview slot that would allow him to travel in time for the competition.

“I followed the exact same protocol I’ve used for all my previous trips to the U.S. with my Portuguese passport. Once I was made aware of the issue, I mobilized my entire team to secure an emergency visa. Unfortunately, time was not on our side. It’s extremely frustrating to miss one of the season’s most important tournaments due to something beyond my control — especially after such a strong period of results,” Hugo stated.

Indeed, Hugo is currently enjoying the best form of his career. Over the past two months, he has celebrated two historic achievements: winning the 2024 World Cup and claiming the silver medal at the World Championships.

Just last weekend, he added another title by winning the WTT Star Contender Ljubljana — his eighth WTT title since the tour was rebranded in 2021. Also in June, he closed a remarkable chapter with Liebherr Ochsenhausen, helping the club secure the German Bundesliga title after nine consecutive seasons.