Stellan Bengtsson Joins the U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame
We’re excited to share some big news—Stellan Bengtsson has officially been inducted into the U.S. Table Tennis Hall of Fame! He was originally selected for the 2024 class but couldn’t attend due to travel issues, so he was formally honored at the 2025 induction dinner in the Contributor category for his incredible impact as a coach and mentor in the U.S.
Most people know Stellan as the 1971 World Champion, but his influence goes far beyond his playing career. He’s coached national teams around the world, including Sweden’s famous golden generation, Denmark, Qatar, and the U.S. Para Team—leading Team USA to two gold medals at the 2015 Toronto Para Pan Am Games.
Since moving to San Diego in 2006 with his wife, Hall of Famer Angelita Rosal Bengtsson, Stellan has focused on helping American players grow. He’s mentored top juniors like Ted Li, Teddy Tran, and Alex Wu, and even opened his home to a young Jimmy Butler, who went on to become a two-time Olympian.
Even today, Stellan’s coaching makes an impact on the world stage. At the 2021 World Championships in Houston, he helped coach Sweden’s Truls Möregårdh—then ranked No. 77—to a stunning silver medal, helping launch his rise to Olympic success.
Stellan’s induction is a celebration of everything he’s done for the sport—from world titles to grassroots coaching. We couldn’t be more proud to see his incredible career recognized in the U.S. Hall of Fame.
