[Editor's Picks] VICTAS “ATHENES WOOD” developed for players using both-sided pimpled rubbers

The ATHENES series for and by odd-grip players

Since the days of its predecessor, Yamato Table Tennis, and the TSP brand, VICTAS has brought classic pimple and anti-spin models such as Spectol, Spinpips, and Curl to the world. This new release is a lineup that feels very much like the company, with its long tradition of “odd-grip” play still alive and well.

The concept behind the ATHENES series, set for release in autumn 2026, is “VICTAS’s first odd-grip offensive racket.” It focuses on the easy Smash and variation that are the lifeline of odd-grip styles.

Development also involved Minami Ando, an odd-grip player and All Japan Mixed Doubles champion (2021 Asian Championships team winner). Because pimple and anti-spin rubbers require delicate ball touch, she also placed importance on feel, and VICTAS repeatedly asked Ando to test the racket in pursuit of performance she could fully get behind.

According to Ando, odd-grip players use different types of rubber on the forehand and backhand, so they need to choose a racket while considering how it matches both rubbers; when she was active, she says choosing a racket was difficult. ATHENES also takes that point into account, aiming to deliver performance that can be fully utilized no matter whether it is paired with inverted, pimple, or anti-spin rubber.

That is how the ATHENES WOOD, ATHENES ATTACK, and ATHENES CARBON were born. Among them, the one Ando uses as well is the five-ply ATHENES WOOD.

It offers the most balanced performance in the series and excellent controllability, making it ideal for players who win with the pace changes, short and long placement, and variation in ball quality that define odd-grip play. Since odd-grip players are more common among women, the weight has been kept on the lighter side.

ATHENES ATTACK, which uses harder wood, and ATHENES CARBON, which features U Carbon on the outer layer, are models geared more toward offense. For players who want to pressure opponents with variation, power, and Speed, these two would be the better match.

By the way, the name ATHENES comes from Athena, the Greek goddess who governs wisdom and strategy. Odd-grip play is not just about the Ball’s “speed” or “power,” but about skillfully controlling variation and pace changes to fight intelligently — something that certainly overlaps with Athena.

Built on odd-grip play, developed with odd-grip players, and born for odd-grip players, ATHENES is definitely one to try if you play odd-grip.

VICTAS
ATHENES WOOD

● Offensive racket
● 5-ply wood
● Grip: FL
● Blade thickness: 5.7 mm
● Average weight: 80 g