Butterfly Dan Seemiller Classic 2 an Epic Success; Dan Seemiller Jr. Repeats as Open Singles Champion

**Open Singles Championship: 1st place Dan Seemiller Jr., 2nd place Randy Seemiller; 3rd place (tie/not pictured) Steve Banet and John Allen. Far right, Dan Seemiller.**

By Mike Crase

The Butterfly Dan Seemiller Classic 2, a three-day table tennis extravaganza honoring and celebrating the career of Dan Seemiller, the most decorated player in U.S. table tennis history (5x Men’s National Champion, 5x Western Japan Open Champion, 12x National Doubles Champion, 7x Mixed National Doubles Champions, and former U.S. Olympic Coach).

The event began on April 25 with Dan Seemiller’s “Winning Table Tennis” Clinic 1, followed by the phenomenal Butterfly Dan Seemiller Classic 2 Tournament on April 26, and concluded with “Winning Table Tennis” Clinic 2 on Sunday. A total of 144 entrants competed in 15 different events (12 singles and 3 doubles), making it the most expansive and successful event in the history of Kentucky table tennis competitions; an estimated 400 plus competitors attended the event at some point over the 14-hour tournament day and clinics.

Former Olympic Coach Dan Seemiller showing the forehand drive to clinic participants during the 3rd and final day of the event. It was amazing to watch and learn from the best to ever do it. Both clinics received high praise from the participants.

The international tournament event featured players from Mexico, United States, Japan, Philippines and Hong Kong. Players from 10 states attended the event: Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, West Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Kansas. We sincerely thank West Liberty Tourism for helping to fund and host this unprecedented event that made table tennis history.

The 2nd annual BDSC Open Singles Championship was loaded with talent and top players, vying for the prestigious championship, $500 in cash, and their name being placed on the Daniel R. Seemiller perpetual cup. All players advanced from round robin qualifiers.

Quarterfinals: (1) Dan Seemiller Jr. def. (5) Darren Tiang 9, 5, 13; (7) Brian Jortner lost to John Allen 7,3,4; (4) Steve Banet def. (8) Antonio Dominguez 4,2,6; (2) Randy Seemiller def. (6) Chip Coulter 5,9,10.

**Steel City legend vs Indiana legend**: Randy Seemiller(PA) (left) prepares to take on Steve “Pappy” Banet (IN) in open singles competition. The Open Singles field was extremely strong this year and featured two of the all-time greats (above: Randy and Steve). They gave everyone a classic match with tons of action **and drama that went to the fifth game.**

Semifinals: (1) Dan Seemiller Jr def. (3) John Allen 5,6,5; (2) Randy Seemiller def. (4) Steve Banet in a thriller, -3, 4, 9, -8, 4; Randy takes home the win in the fifth and final game.

Finals: (1) Dan Seemiller Jr. def. (2) Randy Seemiller in a hard-fought match 6, 7, 8, to become the 2025 Dan Seemiller Open Singles Champion and even more impressive, the becomes a back-to-back winner. Randy Seemiller played outstanding table tennis against a loaded field and took second place as the finalist.

John Allen, number one in KY for 30 years, and Steve Banet, a multi-time champion in many states and major tournaments, tied for 3rd place. Congratulations to all these incredible players and athletes for making this the best Dan Seemiller Classic Open to date.

**Dan Seemiller Junior (left) battles Randy Seemiller (right) in the Open Singles championship match.**

The Under 2300 tournament was stacked and featured many of the higher seeds from the Open Singles Championship. All players advanced from round robin qualifiers. Semifinals: (1) Dan Seemiller Jr. def. (4) Steve Banet 4,9,4; (2) Randy Seemiller def. John Allen in four grueling games 6, 4, -7, 9; Randy and John have one of the sports best rivalries and it was awesome to see it renewed at the BDSC2.

Final: (1) Dan Seemiller Jr. edged out (2) Randy Seemiller in one of the BDSC2’s best matches, winning by scores of 10, 5, -7, -6, 9. Seemiller Jr. won the first two, Randy won the next two, and the final was decided by the final two points. Steve Banet and John Allen tied for 3rd place in the Under 2300 tournament.

Dan Seemiller Junior, holding his Open Singles Championship, also won the loaded Under 2300 division. Randy Seemiller gave the champ all he could handle as it went to the fifth and final game-with Randy taking second. Congrats to these outstanding players!

The Butterfly Dan Seemiller Classic 2’s Women’s Championship was won by (1) Indira Herrerra. Indira def. (2) Lily Jiang for first place. Hannah Brown took 3rd place. Congratulations to all these outstanding competitors!

The Women’s division had some top notch playing and it was exciting to see more ladies competing at the 2025 BDSC2! (1) Indira Herrerra. Indira def. (2) Lily Jiang for first place. Hannah Brown took 3rd place.

The Under 2000 tournament featured some of the day’s most competitive matches, including a classic final match. Players advanced from round robin qualifiers.

Semifinals: (1) Babak Fakharpour def. (3) Yasui Masahiro -10, 9,-9,6,6-Babak rallied to come back from being down 2 to win this nailbiter. (4) Brian Jortner, a defensive specialist, def. (2) Efrain Gonzalez 5,9,4.

In the final, Babak Fakharpour won a five- game marathon after being up games, Jortner won 2 games, forcing a fifth and final game: 6,9,-10, -5, 5. Incredible game by both players. Yasui Masahiro and Efrain Gonzalez tied for third.

Under 2000: Babak Fakharpour (KY) overcame a strong effort by Brian Jortner (NC) in one of the best matches of the BDSC 2. Congrats to Babak on the big win and to Brian for the amazing effort and 2nd place. Yasui Masahiro and Efrain Gonzalez (not pictured) tied for third.

The Under 1800 tournament had four groups of round robin qualifiers, which led to an 8 player tournament. Tremendous action and excitement in these battles for Under 1800 bragging rights and of course, the championship!

Quarterfinals: (1) Antonio Dominguez def. (5) Royce Zuniga 3,8,5; (3) Dominique Clark def. (7) Paul Yost 10, 6, -11, 7; (4) Babak Fakharpour def. (6) Efrain Gonzalez -4, 5, 9, 2; (2) Shirin Rafizadeh def. Burley Stevens 6, 11, -8, 7.

Semifinals: (1) Antonio Dominguez def. (3) Dominique Clark 6,9,7; (4) Babak Fakharpour def. (2) Shirin Rafizadeh 5,4,6.

Finals: Babak Fakharpour wins the Under 1800 by defeating Antonio Dominguez in a back-and-forth match 8,10,7. Congratulations to Babak on being a dual-division winner, taking home the Under 2000 and Under 1800 divisions! Shirin Rafizadeh and Dominique Clark tied for third place.

Babak Fakharpour (left) takes home his second big win of the day as he wins the Under 1800 division over Antonio Dominguez. Congratulations to Babak on being a dual-champion and to Antonio for making the finals in a strong field. **Dominique Clark and Shirin Rafizadeh (not pictured) tied for third.**

The Under 1600 event had the most players of any event. Players advanced to the single elimination via round robin qualifiers.

Quarterfinals: (6) Cruz Cardona def. (1) Zach Smith -2, 1, 9, 3; (7) Win Tun def. (4) Heather Robinson 4,4,3; (3) Michael Lundergan def. (8) Ronald Arcaro 1, 7,5; (2) Douglas Hopwood def. (2) Jian Lin Tang 7, -3, 6, 9.

Semifinals: (6) Cruz Cardona def. Win Tun 7,7,3; (2) Douglas Hopwood def. Michael Lundergan 4, 6, 7.

Finals: (2) Douglas Hopwood def (6) Cruz Cardona 9, 9, 7 in a Lexington Table Tennis Club final! Both players had tremendous rallies and gave it maximum effort. Congratulations to the finalists and to Michael Lundergan and Win Tun, both of whom tied for third place.

Lexington Table Tennis Club takes first and second place in the Under 1600! Congratulations to Douglas Hopwood for taking first and Elijah “Cruz” Cardona on his second-place finish. Michael Lundergan and Win Tun (not pictured) took third place.

The Under 1450 division players advanced to single elimination by round robin qualifiers.

Quarterfinals: (1) Raymond Ho (bye); (4) Arnav Mairal def. (5) Win Tun 7,3,7; (3) Waiyan Tun def. (6) Caleb Lemaster 1, 6, 10; (2) Jay Nelson (bye).

Semifinals: (4) Arnav Mairal def. (1) Raymond Ho 7,3,7; (2) Jay Nelson def (3) Waiyan Tun 6, 7, 9.

Finals: (2) Jay Nelson def. (4) Arnav Mairal 7,7,9 to win the Under 1450 championship. Arnav Mairal finished second, while Raymond Ho and Waiyan Tun tied for third.

Jay Nelson won the Under 1400 division, racking up yet another tournament victory for the 5x West Virginia Champion. Arnav Mairal, a talented rising star, took second place. Waiyan Tun and Raymond Ho (not pictured) tied for third place.

The Under 1300 event featured four round robin group qualifiers.

(1) Jay Nelson (bye); (3) Arnav Mairal def. (5) Lily Jiang 8,-8, 7,7; (4) Caleb Lemaster def. (6) Heather Robinson 4, 13, 3; (2) Mark Hoogeveen (bye).

(1) Jay Nelson def. (3) Arnav Mairal 6, 8, 9; (4) Caleb Lemaster def. (2) Mark Hoogeveen 4, 13, 3.

Finals: (1) Jay Nelson def. (4) Caleb Lemaster 6, 4, 6, to win the Under 1300 championship. Mark Hoogeveen and Arnav Mairal tied for third place. Congratulations to Jay Nelson, 5x West Virginia State Champion, on winning both the Under 1450 and Under 1300 divisions!

Jay Nelson added a second division championship by taking the Under 1300. Caleb Lemaster finished in second place in a talented and crowded field. Mark Hoogeveen and Arnav Mairal (not pictured) tied for third place.

The Under 1000 event featured four round robin group qualifiers.

Quarterfinals: (1) Tom Salyers (bye); (5) Jon Marshall def. (4) Dickie Williams -8,-8, 2,8,5; (3) David Sammons lost to (6) Nathan Perkins 9,9,-3, -1, 5, a terrific match that saw some long rallies

Semifinals: (1) Tom Salyer def. (5) Jon Marshall 7,-7, 5,5; (6) Nathan Perkins def. (2) Hannah Brown 5,9,9.

Finals: (6) Nathan Perkins def. (1) Tom Salyer to win the Under 1000 championship by scores of 5, 11, 9. Tom Salyer finished 2nd, while Hannah Brown and Tony Marshall tied for third.

Congratulations to “The Grizzly” Nathan Perkins for taking first place in the Under 1000 event. Congrats to Tom Salyer on taking second place. Hannah Brown and Jon Marshall (not pictured) tied for third.

The Under 800 event was decided by a four-player single elimination tournament following two round robin qualifiers.

Semifinals: (1) Dickie Williams lost to (3) Dustin Howard in one of the most competitive contests of the day: 16, -9, 8, and 7. (2) Beau Nufer defeated former 2x EKTT Champion Dan Arnett -7, -7, 8,9,6. Beau showed a great deal of composure to come back after being down 0-2.

Finals: (2) Beau Nufer def. (3) Dustin Howard to win the Under 800 championship by scores of: 7,7,4. Dan Arnett and Dickie Williams tied for third place in this highly competitive division.

**The Under 800 event had the closest overall matches in terms of scoring. Beau Nufer took 1st place, Dustin Howard finished second and Dickie Williams and Dan Arnett tied for third.**

The Under 500 division final: (1) Fletcher Hammonds def. (2) Dustin Howard 8,-7, 6, 9 to win the division.

**Under 500: 1st place Fletcher Hammonds and 2nd place Dustin Howard. Congratulations to both!**

The Junior Division Under 19 was decided by a single elimination tournament after the round robin qualifiers.

Semifinals: (1) Waiyan Tun def. (3) Caedmon Mease 4, 4, 2. (2) Arnav Mairal def. (4) Riley Yost

Finals: (2) Arnav Mairal def. (1) Waiyan Tun to win the Junior division, scores: 8, -11, 9, -10, 8. The match was an instant classic and one of the best in the tournament. These two young rising table tennis stars left it all on the table.

**Juniors Under 19: 1st place Arnav Mairal, 2nd place Wiyan Tun and 3rd place Caedmon Mease. Outstanding job by these young stars on their way to promising careers in table tennis.**

Under 3600 Doubles: 1st place Dan Seemiller Junior and Jay Nelson; 2nd place Dan Seemiller and Ron Arcaro. There were 6 teams in the event.

**Under 3600 Doubles Champions: Dan Seemiller Jr. and Jay Nelson. Congratulations!**

**Under 3600 Doubles 2nd place: Ron Arcaro (left) and Dan Seemiller (right).**

Under 3000 Doubles had two round robin group qualifiers.

Semifinals: (3) Paul Yost and Lily Jiang def. (1) Zach Smith and K. yler 9,6, 8. (2) Win Tun and Royce Zuniga def. (4) Douglas Hopwood and Josh Frisby 2,5,-7, 7.

Finals: (2) Royce Zuniga and Win Tun def. (3) Paul Yost and Lily Jiang 8,9,9 to win the Under 3000 Doubles championship. Congratulations to Paul Yost and Lily Jiang on their second-place finish.

**Under 3000 Doubles: Lily Jiang and Paul Yost (left), Royce Zuniga and Win Tun (right) 1st place winners. Far right, Dan Seemiller.**

Under 2000 Doubles: 1st place Dennis Durst and Tom Salyer; 2nd place Dickie Williams and David Sammons; 3rd place Daniel Arnett and Nathan Perkins.

Under 2000 Doubles: (left) David Sammons and Dickie Williams 2nd place, (center) Tom Salyer and Dennis Durst 1st place, (right) Nathan Perkins and Dan Arnett 2nd place. The Under 2000 Doubles was a great new addition to the BDSC2!

Juniors Consolation: 1st place Matt Hall; 2nd place Benjamin Hall.

Juniors Under 19 Consolation: 1st place Matt Hall and 2nd place Benjamin Hall. Congratulations!

The Butterfly Dan Seemiller Classic 2 was three unforgettable days that captured the imagination and attention of the table tennis community. In addition to the clinics and tournament, we had a cool $100 guess the table tennis balls in a jar contested hosted by “The Goat” Dan Seemiller himself. Congrats to Brian Jortner on the $100 win!

EKTT presented Mr. Seemiller with a plaque of the most famous table tennis shot ever and what many contend is the best sports shot ever: known as “the dive” when he played the world’s number 2 player. It was a great moment and the smile on Danny’s face said it all. It was made with a special glass molding and looks amazing.

img_7241-1 — “The Goat” Dan Seemiller with a glass embedded photo of his iconic “The Dive” shot. The most iconic photo of an iconic career. This was EKTT’s gift to Mr. Seemiller for the BDSC2. Last year, EKTT awarded its first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Seemiller and a special “Goat” t-shirt. **We sincerely appreciate Mr. Seemiller allowing us to host his official tournament, which is a privilege and an honor.**

“It was a great weekend. Plenty of good competition and two clinics to learn from. I am looking forward to next year’s event already,” commented Dan Seemiller after the event closed on Sunday’s clinic 2.

Coach Seemiller also autographed copies of his book, “Winning Table Tennis”, took pictures with players and fans, and engaged in some friendly conversation and telling stories from his incomparable career.

Coming in 2026: The Butterfly Dan Seemiller Classic 3! Thank you to everyone that attended, played, and supported this epic event. We can’t wait until next year!