Table tennis World Cup champ Calderano denied US visa over Cuba trip, misses WTT Grand Smash
Hugo Calderano was banned from entering the United States because of a visit to Cuba for a tournament in 2023
Table tennis World Cup winner Hugo Calderano has been barred from entering the United States because of a visit to Cuba in 2023.
The Brazilian, who had been expected to compete at the WTT Grand Smash in Las Vegas, confirmed he had been denied a visa in a post on his social media channels on Friday.
According to US regulations, any individual who has travelled to Cuba is required to obtain a visa, even if they qualify for the country’s visa waiver programme (VWP), which the 29-year-old does through his Portuguese citizenship.
However, if an individual has travelled to a country on the US’ list of state sponsors of terrorism – which includes Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Iraq – they are no longer eligible for the VWP.
Calderano had been in Havana, Cuba’s capital, for the ITTF Pan American Championships two years ago, where he won his fourth singles title.
“I followed the same protocol as all my previous trips to the United States using my Portuguese passport,” Calderano said. “When I was informed of the situation, I mobilised my entire team to obtain an emergency visa, but unfortunately, there was not enough time.