SCI Mag No.117 (2024_11_16) FINAL red

Mariam Younes

Nils-Erik Sandberg

Koji Matsushita

SWAYTHLING

Issue

No.117 / October 2024

Editor & Design:

Ian Marshall

Sub Editor: Richard Scruton

Statistics:

Günther Angenendt, Matt Solt

Contributors:

Badener Athletiksport Club, Reto Bazzi, Claude Bergeret, Raul Calin, Alan Hydes, ITTF Foundation, Agnes Jan, Zdenko Kriz, Koji Matsushita, Miran

CONTENTS

On Saturday 28th September, at the Sweden Star Rekordspelenime, time-out was called on all tables, the reason to celebrate the 85th birthday of Nils-Erik Sandberg, now approaching 70 years of dedicated service to the sport of table tennis.

Kondric, Steve Morley, Manuel Muriel, Paloma Mutti, Olalekan Okusan, Nils-Erik Sandberg, Richard Scruton, Paul Stimpson, Daniel Tan, Diane Webb, Laura Wong, Mariam Younes

Photographs:

An Sungho, Badener Athletiksport Club, Butterfly, Rémy Gros, Alan Hydes, International Table Tennis Federation, Agnes Jan, Michael Loveder, Steve Morley, Manuel Muriel, Mike Rhodes, Nils-Erik Sandberg, Manfred

Schillings, Table Tennis England, Daniel Tan, Diane Webb, World Table Tennis, , Mariam Younes

Published by:

Swaythling Club International

Swaythling Club

International Executive Committee: Claude Bergeret (President), Reto Bazzi (Deputy President), Richard Scruton (Treasurer), Zdenko Kriz, Lilamani de Soysa, Gloria Wagener

MEMORABLE MONTHS

Underling the fact table tennis is for all

PARISIAN PRIDE

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games

NEW FORMAT

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

CLASSICAL STYLE

Koji Matsushita

THE FATHER FIGURE

Nils-Erik Sandberg

OPEN ALL HOURS

Badener Athletiksport Club

SPANNING THE ERAS

Ian Harrison

LIFETIME ACHIEVER

Manuel Muriel

Members report 4 6 22 36 42 52 58 66 70 74 78 80 96

CLEAN SWEEP IN GABORONE

Mariam Younes

MEET AGNES JAN AND STEVE MORLEY

ITTF Foundation supported players

POH LI SAN RETURNED UNOPPOSED

Singapore elections

IN FOCUS

July to September 2024

SWAYTHLING CLUB NEWS

Claude Bergeret , President of the Swaythling Club International, reflects on the outstanding success of major tournaments held in recent months, events that clearly underlined table tennis is the sport for all; on a rather more sombre note, she pays tribute to the passing of a colleague, a man who dedicated his life to the sport

What an exceptional and unforgettable Summer! Without doubt, one that will live long in the memory.

July was an interesting and rich month. First the organisation of the World Masters Championships in Rome from Saturday 6th to Sunday 14th July. A record of number of players, some 6,000, representing 56 member associations.

The Italian Table Tennis Federation (FITET) responded perfectly to the challenge, in particular overcoming any technical problems that arose with great efficiency.

Congratulations and a big thank you to the local organising team, FITET and of course the International Table Tennis Federation.

Next the unforgettable Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris. Majestic venues such as the Eiffel Tower, the Grand Palais and the Palace of Versailles just to name a few. The Olympic Games inside a city!

A successful bet, and what an atmosphere in the table tennis arena! China dominated the competition but young players, both male and female, made their presence known.

Emotional moments, excitement, later in Au-

gust in Schiltigheim, a suburb of Strasbourg, the situation was no different for players in the under 13 and under 11 age groups, the Eurominichamps, the 18th edition, endorsed its immense value.

A totally different clientele, at the end of October, the French city of Metz welcomed the fourth Festival 4 Health, a tournament reserved for players affected by Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Amazing!

Events wide ranging, the beauty of table tennis underlined, no age limit, no ability barriers.

Players departed highly motivated but life can

be cruel. Harvey Webb our Secretary passed away on Thursday 7th November from a mesothelioma. He was still with us in Rome. It went so quick.

He was a kind and caring man, not to mention his skills and love for table tennis; always fair and in favour of discussion and compromise.

We will miss him but we will not forget his prudent advice and his charisma. We will continue our endeavours because this would be his wish.

Now as the year ends, it is also a time to look forward; may I wish everyone the very best for the festive season.

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A Tribute to Harvey

The success of the French men’s team, left to right Felix Lebrun, Alexis Lebrun, Simon Gauzy, added an extra ingredient to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Webb

Parisian Pride

Success in the women’s team event at the 2024 Olympic Games meant a full house of titles for China. They deserve great respect for their efforts but they were not the only players who departed Hall 4 of the Paris Arena with heads held high, each day provided intriguing action, personal landmarks....

SATURDAY 27TH JULY

Men’s Singles Preliminary Round

Zaid Abo Yuman (Jordan), the no.66 seed, became the first male Jordanian to compete in the table tennis events at an Olympic Games; he was beaten by India’s Harmeet Desai, the no.49 seed (11-7, 11-9, 115, 11-5).

Previously from Jordan four players had competed in the women’s singles: Jackline Al-Dukum (1988), Badia Rashad Al-Hindi (1992), Tatiana Tcherestova (2000) and Zeina Shaban (2004, 2008).

Santoo Shrestha (Nepal), the no.67 seed, the first player from Nepal to compete in the table tennis events at an Olympic Games, experienced defeat when facing Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw, the no.51 seed (1210, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5).

Women’s Singles Preliminary Round

Mariana Sahakian (Lebanon), the no.67 seed became not only the first Lebanese player to win a match in the table tennis events at an Olympic Games; also, the first to win a game.

She beat Chile’s Zhiying Zeng, (4-11, 14-12, 11-5, 11-3, 11-8) in the most senior contest known. The ages of the players added to over 100 years. On the first day of play, Mariana Sahakian was 46 years and 329 days old, Zhiying Zeng 58 years and 20 days old.

Previously Lebanon had been represented in the women’s singles by Larissa Chouaib and Tvin Carole Moumjoghlian.

In 1996 in Atlanta, Larissa Chouaib lost every match in straight games, finishing in fourth place in her group. She was beaten by Chinese Taipei’s Chen Jing, the eventual silver medallist, New Zealand’s Li Chunli and Italy’s Alessia Arisi.

Later in 2012 in London, play on a knock-out basis as opposed to qualification stage groups, Tvin Carole Moumjoghlian experienced defeat in the preliminary round. She was beaten by Cameroon’s Sarah Hanffou.Sin

Men’s Singles Round One

Eduard Ionescu (Romania), the no.41 seed, saved six match points, recovering from a three games to nil deficit to beat Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna, the no.14 seed (8-11, 9-11, 611, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9, 13-11).

Alberto Mi ño (Ecuador), the no.43 seed, fought back from three games in arrears to beat Australia’s Finn Luu, the no.26 seed, (9-11, 9-11, 9-11. 11-9, 11-7, 11-4, 11-8).

Fabio Rakotoarimanana (Madagascar), the no.61 seed. the first ever player from Madagascar, to compete in the table tennis events at an Olympic Games, lost to Egypt’s Omar Assar, the no.16 seed (11-6, 116, 7-11, 11-5, 11-8).

Women’s Singles Round One

Ni Xia Lian (Luxembourg), the no.32 seed, aged 61 years and 24 days beat Turkey’s Sibel Altinkaya, the no.49 seed (12-10, 11-3, 11-7, 911, 10-12, 11-6) to become the oldest player ever to compete in the table tennis events at an Olympic Games. She beat her previous record of 58 years and 24 days old on the open day of play in Tokyo.

Elizabeta Samara (Hungary), the no.25 seed, won the first full distance match of the tournament, she beat Ukraine’s Solomiya Brateyko, the no.50 seed (6-11, 11-3, 8-11, 11-9, 13-11, 9-11, 11-4).

Britt Eerland (Netherlands), the no.41 seed, the junior girls’ singles winner at the 2010 European Youth Championships, now a mother, returned to Olympic action in style. She overcame Egypt’s Hana Goda, the no.20 seed (11-9, 13-11, 11-6, 11-6).

Georgina Pota (Hungary), the no.39 seed, a mother and 2002 European junior champion, beat Germany’s Shan Xiaona, the no.24 seed (11-7, 711, 10-12, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-8).

Mixed Doubles Round One

Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong (DPR Korea), the no.16 seeds, beat Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto and Hina Hayata, the no.2 seeds (11-5, 711, 11-4, 15-13, 12-10).

TOP LEFT

Zaid Abo Yaman created a first for Jordan

LOWER LEFT

Mariana Sahakian recorded a landmark success for Lebanon

TOP RIGHT

Santoo Shrestha gave Nepal a new status

SECOND RIGHT

Eduard Ionescu saved six match points before emerging victorious

THIRD RIGHT

Alberto Miño delighted Ecuadorian supporters as he recovered from a three games to nil deficit.

FOURTH RIGHT

Georgina Pota upset the seeding to beat Shan Xiaona

SUNDAY 28TH JULY

Men’s Singles Round One

Kanak Jha (United States), the no.59 seed, accounted for Korea Republic’s Cho Daeseong, the no.15 seed (8-11, 11-8, 11-2, 11-2, 8-11, 1210.

Deni Kozul (Slovenia) the no.60 seed, overcame India’s Sharath Kamal Achanta, the no.24 seed (1012, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 12-10).

Anton Källberg (Sweden), the no.18 seed, came perilously close to defeat, he needed the full seven games to beat Congo Brazzaville’s Saheed Idowu, the no.58 seed.

He won by the very narrowest of margins (11-7, 11-13, 11-4, 11-6, 1214, 6-11, 11-9).

Women’s Singles Round One

Pyon Song Gyong (DPR Korea), the no.62 seed, belied her status, she accounted for Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem, the no.27 seed (11-8, 11-7, 1012, 11-7, 11-4).

Fu Yu (Portugal), the no.43 seed, beat Korea Republic’s Jeon Jihee, the no.9 seed (11-7, 11-6, 13-11, 11-9).

Margaryta Pesotska (Ukraine), the no.46 seed, accounted for Thailand’s Orawan Paranang, the no.22 seed (11-2, 9-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4, 711, 11-5).

Hana Matelova (Czechia), the no.42 seed, ended the hopes of Monaco’s Yang Xiaoxin, the no.10 seed (15-13, 11-2, 8-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7).

Mixed Doubles Quarter-Finals

Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong (DPR Korea), the no.16 seeds, continued their winning ways.

Very much they made intentions clear they were major contenders for honours, even though their lack of international appearances may have suggested otherwise.

Impressively in a hard-fought contest they beat Sweden’s Kristian Karlsson and Christina Källberg, the no.8 seeds (11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8).

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MONDAY 29TH JULY

Men’s Singles Round One

Wong Chun Ting (Hong Kong), the no.30 seed, was tested by Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw, the no.51 seed; he needed the full seven games to secure victory (7-11, 18-16, 11-8, 611, 11-0, 8-11, 11-4).

Anders Lind (Denmark) the no.35 seed, accounted for Portugal’s Marcos Freitas, the no.12 seed (11-9, 116, 11-8, 11-4).

Vitor Ishiy (Brazil), the no.48 seed, overcame Australia’s Nicholas Lum, the no.23 seed (11-7, 11-5, 11-7, 116).

Andrej Gacina (Croatia), the no.38 seed, beat Romania’s Ovidiu Ionescu, the no.27 seed (11-8, 10-12, 11-8, 1210, 11-5).

Men’s Singles Round Two

Eduard Ionescu (Romania), the no.40 seed, was unable to repeat his first day heroics, he was beaten by

Chinese Taipei’s Kao Cheng-Jui, the no.20 seed (13-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7).

Alberto Mi ño (Ecuador), the no.43 seed, lost to Egypt’s Omar Assar, the no.16 seed (11-5, 13-11, 11-3, 11-2). However, on his second appearance in an Olympic Games, he had the consolation of having taken his country to new heights.

The only previous Ecuadorian to participate in the table tennis events at an Olympic Games is Maria Cabrera, she competed in the women’s singles in 1992 in Barcelona. She lost every match in straight games finishing in fourth place in her group behind Csilla Bátorfi (Hungary), Rossy Pratiwi Dipoyanti (Indonesia) and Lisa Lomas (Great Britain).

Rodrigo Tapia is the only Ecuadorian to compete in the table tennis events at a Youth Olympic Games; he competed in 2010 in Singapore.

Women’s Singles Round One

Natalia Bajor (Poland), the no.28

seed, was extended the full seven games distance by Thailand’s Suthasini Sawettabut, the no.33 seed (118, 3-11, 8-11, 11-7, 12-10, 5-11, 11-6).

Zhu Chengzhu (Hong Kong), the no.36 seed, caused an upset in her first ever match in the Olympic Games; she beat Chinese Taipei’s Chien Tung-Chuan, the no.26 seed (11-7, 11-7, 11-7, 12-10).

Women’s Singles Round Two

Lily Zhang (United States), the no.19 seed, ended the hopes of Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi, the no.14 seed (11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8).

Manika Batra (India), the no.18 seed, overcame the host nation’s Prithika Pavade, the no.12 seed (11-9, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7) and thus became the first player from India to reach the last 16 of either a men’s singles or women’s singles event at an Olympic Games.

Britt Eerland (Netherlands), the no.41 seed, continued her winning ways, she recovered from a three

games to one deficit to beat Czechia’s Hana Matelova, the no.42 seed (13-11, 8-11, 10-12, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8).

Mixed Doubles Semi-Finals

Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong (DPR Korea), the no.16 seeds, once again upset the odds, they beat Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Ting and Doo Hoi Kem, the no.4 seeds (11-3, 10-12, 3-11, 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6) to book their place in the final.

Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha (China), the top seeds, recovered from a two games to one deficit to beat Korea Republic’s Lim Jonghoon and Shin Yubin, the no.3 seeds (6-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-9).

TUESDAY 30TH JULY

Women’s

Singles Round Two

Pyon Song Gyong (DPR Korea), the no.62 seed, once again upset the order of preference, she overcame Germany’s Nina Mittelham, the no.11 seed (6-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-

8, 7-11, 11-7).

Fu Yu (Portugal), the no.43 seed, came within a knife-edge of recording a second upset. She was beaten by Poland’s Natalia Bajor, the no.28 seed (11-7, 11-8, 15-17, 4-11, 711, 12-10, 11-8); it was the first time Natalia Bajor had ever beaten Fu Yu.

Men’s Singles Round Two

Deni Kozul (Slovenia), the no.60 seed, his unexpected progress was halted by Japan’s Shunsuke Togami, the no.10 seed (9-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-5).

Vitor Ishiy (Brazil), the no.48 seed, was unable to replicate his opening round efforts, the experience of Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the no.9 seed, proved too great (11-4, 11-8, 11-9, 11-13, 11-3).

Mixed Doubles Bronze Medal

Lim Jonghoon & Shin Yubin (Korea Republic), the no.3 seeds, beat Hong Kong’s Wong Chin Tung and Doo Hoi Kem, the no.4 seeds

FAR LEFT

Anders Lind upset the seeding by beating Marcos Freitas

SECOND LEFT

Andrej Gacina was in determined mood, he ended the hopes of Ovidiu Ionescu

THIRD RIGHT

Manika Batra set new standards for India

FOURTH RIGHT

Kim Kum Yong and Ri Jong Sik celebrate semi-final success

FAR RIGHT

Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin book final place.

(11-5, 11-7, 11-7, 14-12) to secure the bronze medal.

Mixed Doubles Gold Medal

Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha (China), the top seeds, overcame DPR Korea’s Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong, the no.16 seeds, to claim gold (11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8). Thus, they added Olympic title to the mixed team success gained at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong (DPR Korea) became the first players in any event in an Olympic Games table tennis competition to commence proceedings the lowest rated and win a medal.

Wang Chuqin (China) was most irritated at the end of play. A photographer stepped on his racket, the racket had been placed in his luggage in the player section of the venue, where only players and coaches were allowed. Many photographers were in that space, cameras ready. u

TOP LEFT

Truls Moregard caused a sensation by beating Wang Chuqin

LOWER LEFT

Hugo Calderano became the first player outside Asia and Europe to reach the penultimate round of a men’s singles event at an Olympic Games

TOP RIGHT

Sreeja Akula emulated Manika Batra to become the second player from India to reach the women’s singles last 16

CENTRE RIGHT

Pyon Song Gong responded. She recovered from a three games to nil deficit to secure a quarterfinal place

LOWER RIGHT

Shin Yubin saved two match points in the seventh game, before overcoming Japan’s Miu Hirano

WEDNESDAY 31ST JULY

Men’s Singles Round Two

Truls Moregard (Sweden), the no.19 seed, beat China’s Wang Chuqin, the no.2 seed (12-10, 11-7, 511, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6). Thus, for the first time in 20 years, since Korea Republic’s Ryu Seungmin accounted for China’s Wang Hao in the Athens 2004 final, an all Chinese gold medal match was averted.

The only other Chinese man not to reach the last 16 is Lu Lin; at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, he finished in third place in his men’s singles group behind Korea Republic’s Kim Taeksoo and India’s Kamlesh Mehta. Lu Lin finished in joint 33rd place.

Kanak Jha (United States), the no.59 seed, continued to upset the status quo; he beat Panagiotis Gionis of Greece, the no.56 seed (11-5, 11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 8-11, 11-8).

Women’s Singles Round Two

Sreeja Akula (India), the no.16 seed, beat Singapore’s Zeng Jian, the no.31 seed (9-11, 12-10, 11-4, 11-5, 10-12, 12-10), to become the second player from India, following the previous day’s success of Manika Batra, to reach the last 16 of a women’s singles event at an Olympic Games.

Women’s Singles Round Three

Pyon Song Gong (DPR Korea), the no.62 seed, recovered from three games to nil deficit to beat Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz, the no.6 seed (611, 6-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7).

Thus, Adriana Diaz became the fourth player from the Americas to reach the last 16 of the women’s singles at an Olympic Games but the only member of the group not born in China. Canada’s Geng Lijuan reached the last 16 in Sydney in 2000, representing the United States, Gao Jun succeeded in 2008 and Liu Juan at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Manika Batra (India), the no.18 seed, was beaten by Japan’s Miu Hirano, the no.8 seed (11-6, 11-9, 1214, 11-8, 11-6).

Sofia Polcanova (Austria), the no.15 seed, was a player in form, she accounted for Romania’s Bernadette Szocs, the no.5 seed (12-10, 11-4, 1311, 11-9).

Sreeja Akula (India), the no.16 seed, experienced defeat at the hands China’s Sun Yingsha, the top seed (12-10, 12-10, 11-8, 11-3); thus, no player from India has ever progressed beyond the last 16 of the women’s singles at an Olympic Games.

Men’s Singles Round Three

Truls Moregard (Sweden), the no.19 seed, maintained his form of earlier in the day. He beat Chinese Taipei’s Kao Cheng-Jui, the no.20 seed (14-16, 13-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-6).

Hugo Calderano (Brazil), the no.4 seed, beat Alexis Lebrun of France, the no.11 seed (3-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-3, 11-8) to reserve his quarter-final place thus match his previous best; in Tokyo had departed in the round of the last eight.

Felix Lebrun (France), the no.3 seed, resisted a spirited recovery by Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the no.9 seed (11-9, 15-13, 12-10, 8-11, 311, 8-11, 11-7) to become only the second ever Frenchman to reach the men’s singles quarter-final at an Olympic Games; the only other instance is Jean-Philippe Gatien in 1992 when he secured bronze medal.

Thursday 1st August

Men’s Singles Quarter-Finals

Hugo Calderano (Brazil), the no.4 seed, beat Korea Republic’s Jang Woojin, the no.8 seed (11-4, 11-7, 115, 11-6) and thus became the first player outside Asia and Europe to reach the penultimate round.

Previously Canada’s Johnny Huang had reached the quarter-finals in 1996, Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna in 2016.

It was the second consecutive Olympic Games when Hugo Calderano had ended the hopes of Jang Woojin; in Tokyo he had prevailed in the fourth round but in a much closer contest (11-7, 9-11, 6-11, 11-9, 4-11, 11-5, 11-6).

Felix Lebrun (France), the no.3 seed, overcame Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju, the no.5 seed (11-7, 7-11, 118, 4-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-6) to reserve his penultimate round place. The win meant that for the first time ever, there would be only one Asian player in the semi-finals of the men’s singles at an Olympic Games.

Also, at 17 years and 324 days, Felix Lebrun became the youngest player to reach the men’s singles semi-finals at an Olympic Games; the previous youngest was Lin Yun-Ju. He was 19 years and 325 days old when succeeding quarter-final stage in Tokyo on Wednesday 28th July 2021.

Fan Zhendong (China), the no.2 seed, recovered from a two games to nil and three games to two deficit, to overcame Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto, the no.6 seed (2-11, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 4-11, 11-7, 11-7).

Truls Moregard (Sweden), the no.19 seed, once again upset the order of merit, he beat Egypt’s Omar Assar, the no.16 seed (11-7, 6-11, 14-12, 1412, 11-2) and thus prevented the possibility of four different continents being represented in the men’s singles semi-finals.

Women’s Singles Quarter-Finals

Shin Yubin (Korea Republic), the no.4 seed, saved two match points in the seventh game, before overcoming Japan’s Miu Hirano, the no.8 seed (11-4, 11-7, 11-5, 7-11, 8-11, 911, 13-11); thus she became the first player from Korea Republic to reach a women’s singles semi-final at an Olympic Games since Kim Kyungah claimed bronze in 2004.

Chen Meng (China), the no.2 seed, was in no mood for charity, she beat Austria’s Sofia Polcanova, the no.15 seed in straight games (11-5, 11-3, 11-0, 11-8).

Sun Yingsha (China), the top seed, ended the hopes of Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching, the no.7 seed (11-7, 11-4, 19-17, 11-5).

Hina Hayata (Japan), the no.3 seed, resisted DPR Korea’s Pyong Song Gyong, the no.62 seed (11-5, 11-5, 13-15, 11-8, 9-11, 4-11, 11-6) to reach the last four.

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Friday 2nd August

Women’s Singles Semi-Finals

Chen Meng (China), the no.2 seed, proved relentless; she beat Korea Republic’s Shin Yubin, the no.4 seed, in straight games (11-7, 11-6, 11-7, 117).

Sun Yingsha (China), the top seed, beat Japan’s Hina Hayata, the no.3 seed, in a similar fashion (11-6, 11-8, 11-8, 11-2), thus ensuring a repeat of the Tokyo 2020 final; the only other occasion such a scenario has occurred is in 2012 and 2016 when Ding Ning and Li Xiaoxia shared the honour.

Men’s Singles Semi-Finals

Fan Zhendong (China), the no.2 seed, stopped Felix Lebrun, the no.3 seed, in his tracks (11-8, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5); thus Jean-Philippe Gatien, in 1992, remains the only Frenchman ever to reach the men’s singles final at an Olympic Games.

Truls Moregard (Sweden), the no.19 seed, beat Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, the no.4 seed (12-10, 16-14, 5-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8), the opening game proving crucial, he trailed 4-10 before winning eight points in a row.

The win meant Moregard became the third Swedish player to secure a medal in the men’s singles event at an Olympic Games. Erik Lindh was a bronze medallist in 1988, Jan-Ove Waldner won gold in 1992, silver in 2000.

Saturday 3rd August

Women’s Singles Bronze Medal

Hina Hayata (Japan), the no.3 seed, beat Korea Republic’s Shin Yubin, the no.4 seed (9-11, 13-11, 1210, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7) to become only the second Japanese player to secure a medal in the women’s singles event at an Olympic Games. The only other player to achieve the feat is Mima Ito. Similarly, in Tokyo, she concluded play a bronze medallist.

Shin Yubin became the first player from Korea Republic to finish one step short of a women’s singles

medal and only the third to reach the last four. In 1992, the only occasion when two third place medals were awarded, Hyun Junghwa claimed bronze, a feat later achieved by Kim Kyungah, in 2004 in Athens.

Women’s Singles Gold Medal

Chen Meng (China), the no.2 seed, beat Chinese national team colleague, Sun Yingsha, the top seed to secure gold (4-11, 11-7, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9, 11-6).

Thus, Chen Meng retained the title won three years earlier in Tokyo to become the third player to achieve the distinction. Likewise, from China Deng Yaping won in 1992 and 1996, Zhang Yining in 2004 and 2008, players who similar to Chen Meng never lost a match at an Olympic Games.

Sun Yingsha became the first player to conclude matters a women’s singles silver medallist on two occasions; it was the first time when the same players had met in consecutive finals and the eventual result the same.

The result meant China maintained their unblemished record in the women’s singles event at an Olympic Games, ten out of ten and on eight occasions both finalists.

Sunday 4th August

Men’s Singles Bronze Medal

Felix Lebrun (France), the no.3 seed, justified his status overcoming Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, the no.4 seed (11-6, 12-10, 11-7, 11-6). The win meant Felix Lebrun, at 17 years and 327 days became the youngest male player ever to win a medal in the table tennis events at an Olympic Games. He surpasses Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto who was 18 years and 30 days old when he secured bronze in the men’s team event in Tokyo.

Furthermore, Felix Lebrun becomes the first teenager to win a medal in the men’s singles event at an Olympic Games; the previous youngest was Korea Republic’s Yoo Namkyu who was 20 years and 111 days old when he won gold in Seoul in 1988.

Felix Lebrun becomes the second Frenchman, after Jean-Philippe Gatien who won silver in 1992, to claim a medal in the men’s singles event at an Olympic Games.

Men’s

Singles Gold Medal

The top seed, beat Sweden’s Truls Moregard, the no.19 seed (7-11, 119, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8) to secure the men’s singles title, the match a repeat of the men’s singles final at the

PARIS 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES

2021 World Championships when Fan Zhendong prevailed in straight games (11-6, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8).

Notably, Fan Zhendong became the fifth Chinese player to win the title, the sixth time overall China had struck gold, Ma Long won in both 2016 and 2020.

However, he became the first player in the men’s singles event to have been the silver medallist at the immediately preceding Olympic Games and win gold at the next.

Truls Moregard became the second Swedish player to win silver in the men’s singles event, the other being Jan-Ove Waldner, winner in 1992, runner up in 2000 and also, the second whose birthday is 16th February, China’s Zhang Jike, who won gold in 2012 finished the runner up in 2016.

Family Affair

An Byeonghun (Korea Republic) finished in 24th place, six under par, in the men’s golf stroke play event. He is the son of Ahn Jaehyung and Jiao Zhimin. At the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games, representing Korea Republic, Ahn Jaehyung was a men’s doubles bronze medallist, his future wife, China’s Jiao Zhimin, won women's doubles silver, women’s singles bronze.

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FAR LEFT

Sun Yingsha once again the women’s singles silver medallist

SECOND LEFT

Hina Hayata claimed women’s singles bronze, the second Japanese player to complete the feat

THIRD RIGHT

Felix Lebrun gained the distinction of becoming the youngest male player to win a medal in the table tennis events at an Olympic Games

FOURTH RIGHT

Chen Meng trod in illustrious shoes, she emulated the achievements of Deng Yaping and Zhang Yining

BELOW

Fan Zhendong, as secure as ever, climbed one step higher; in Tokyo the prize had been silver

Monday 5th August

Men’s

Team Round One

Denmark, the no.10 seeds, suffered a 3-0 defeat against Sweden, the no.7 seeds, their first ever match in a team event at an Olympic Games.

Brazil, the no.9 seeds, caused a minor upset by securing a 3-1 win against Portugal, the no.8 seeds.

Hugo Calderano beat João Geraldo (13-11, 11-5, 11-7) but the star man was Vitor Ishiy. He joined forces with Olympic Games debutant, Guilherme Teodoro, to record a vital doubles win against Tiago Apolonia and Marcos Freitas (12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 8-11, 12-10). Later he secured the victory by overcoming João Geraldo (14-12, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 14-12).

Women’s

Team Round One

India, the no.11 seeds, in their first ever appearance in the women’s

team event at an Olympic Games, caused an upset, they recorded a 3-2 win against Romania, the no.4 seeds.

Mainstay of the victory was Manika Batra, she beat both Bernadette Szöcs (11-5, 11-7, 11-7) and Adina Diaconu (11-5, 11-9, 11-9).

Romania has competed in the women’s team event on each occasion since the event was first held in 2008, Elizabeta Samara and Bernadette Szöcs have been ever present.

Thailand, the no.13 seeds, making their first appearance in either the men’s team or women’s team event at an Olympic Games, recorded a surprise 3-2 win against France, the no.8 seeds.

Star of the show was Jinnipa Sawettabut, in the decisive fifth game of the fifth match, after surrendering two match points, she saved one match point to beat Charlotte Lutz (11-8, 10-12, 11-8, 5-11, 13-11). Yuan

Jia Nan remained unbeaten for France.

Brazil, the no.10 seeds, experienced a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Korea Republic, the no.3 seeds, their one success being recorded by Bruna Takahashi against Lee Eunhye (11-8, 911, 9-11, 11-8, 11-4).

However, history was made. Bruna Alexandre became the first Brazilian female athlete to compete in both Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Sweden, the no.15 seeds, making their first appearance in the women’s team event at an Olympic Games, caused a major upset; they brought the day to a close by posting a 3-2 win against Hong Kong, the no.6 seeds and Tokyo bronze medallists.

Both Doo Hoi Kem and Lee Ho Ching remained from the team of three years ago, the newcomer being Zhu Chengzhu.

Mainstay of the Swedish success was Linda Bergström; she beat Zhu Chengzhu (11-9, 16-14, 10-12, 5-11, 11-7) in the second match of the fixture, before in the concluding contest overcoming Lee Ho Ching (11-5, 11-6, 12-10).

The heroine was Christina Källberg, in the third match she recovered from a two games to nil reverse to beat Doo Hoi Kem (5-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-3, 12-10).

Tuesday 6th August

Women’s Team Round One

Germany, the no.5 seeds, beat the United States, the no.14 seeds, in a full distance five match contest; making her debut in the Olympic Games, Annett Kaufmann proved the backbone of the success.

In the second match of the contest, she beat Lily Zhang (11-6, 11-6, 11-5).

Later, in the decisive fifth match she overcame Rachel Sung (6-11, 11-4, 11-9, 11-8).

Women’s Team Quarter-Finals

Korea Republic, the no.3 seeds, justified their status; a comprehensive 3-0 was posted against Sweden, the no.15 seeds.

Jeon Jihee, in the third match of the fixture, beat Christina Källberg (8-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-7)

Notably, it was the 3,000th match played in the history of the table tennis events at an Olympic Games.

Japan, the no.2 seeds, followed the Korean example. Later in the day, they recorded the same margin of victory in opposition to Thailand, the no.13 seeds.

Men’s Team Quarter-Finals

Japan, the no.4 seeds posted a 3-1

FAR LEFT

Vitor Ishiy proved key to Brazil’s win against Portugal

SECOND LEFT

TOP

Jinnipa Sawettabut kept her nerve to secure victory for Thailand

SECOND LEFT LOWER

Linda Bergström guided Sweden to success against Hong Kong

THIRD RIGHT

Jeon Jihee won the 3,000th match in the history of table tennis events in the Olympic Games

FAR RIGHT

TOP

Annett Kaufmann unbeaten on debut

FAR RIGHT LOWER

win against Chinese Taipei, the no.6 seeds; the one win for Chinese Taipei was secured by Lin Yun-Ju; executing his sublime skills to the full, he beat Tomokazu Harimoto 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 3-11, 11-6).

Sweden, the no.7 seeds, recorded a 3-0 win against Germany, the no.2 seeds.

In his last international appearance Timo Boll was beaten by Borussia Düsseldorf clubmate Anton Källberg 11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 11-8), having earlier in the doubles experienced defeat partnering Dang Qiu against Anton Källberg and Kristian Karlsson (1210, 11-8, 11-8).

Furthermore, for the first time in his career, an initial Olympic Games appearance in Beijing in 2008, Dimitrij Ovtcharov departed without a medal to his name; in the second match of the fixture he was narrowly beaten by Truls Moregard (11-9, 8-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9).

Timo Boll played his last match in the Olympic Games u

Wednesday 7th August

Men’s Team Quarter-Finals

China, the top seeds, showed no charity, a 3-0 win was the order of proceedings against Korea Republic, the no.5 seeds.

France, the no.3 seeds, overcame Brazil, the no.9 seeds; as earlier in the men’s singles bronze medal match, Felix Lebrun beat Hugo Calderano (11-6, 11-7, 11-13, 11-6).

Men’s Team Semi-Finals

Sweden, the no.7 seeds, recovered from a 0-2 deficit to beat Japan, the no.4 seeds, in what can be considered the most sensational fixture in the history of the team events at an Olympic Games.

Anton Källberg emerged the hero of the hour, in the vital concluding match, he fought back to from two games to nil in arrears to beat Tomokazu Harimoto (5-11, 5-11, 11-7, 117, 11-9).

The overall contest was somewhat unusual in the fact that each player won one match and lost one match. Hiroto Shinozuka and Shunsuke Togami gave Japan the ideal start by overcoming Anton Källberg and Kristian Karlsson (8-11, 11-9, 11-4, 11-7), before Tomokazu Harimoto accounted for Truls Moregard (13-11, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10).

One win for each Japanese player, one loss for each Swedish player; then total reversal, Kristian Karlsson beat Shunsuke Togami (7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-5), Truls Moregard overcame Hiroto Shinozuka (11-5, 11-6, 5-11, 12-10) to set the scene for Anton Källberg to complete heroics.

Women’s Team Quarter-Finals

Germany, the no.5 seeds, reserved a semi-final place, recording a 3-1 win against India, the no.11 seeds; just as in the opening round Annett Kaufmann shone. She beat both Manika Batra (8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-5) and Sreeja Akula (11-6, 11-7, 11-7).

China, the top seeds, maintained form, a 3-0 win was posted against Chinese Taipei, the no.7 seeds.

TOP LEFT

Hiroto Shinozuka left and right Shunsuke Togami gave Japan the ideal start against Sweden

TOP RIGHT

Anton Källberg celebrates the completion of the Swedish recovery

Thursday 8th August

Men’s Team Semi-Finals

China, the top seeds, proved too secure for France, the no.3 seeds, a 3-0 was the order of the day. Ma Long and Wang Chuqin, the 2019 World champions, beat Simon Gauzy and Alexis Lebrun (13-11, 11-5, 11-2), before Fan Zhendong overcame Felix Lebrun (11-3, 13-11, 8-11, 16-14) and Wang Chuqin accounted for Felix Lebrun (7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-1) to conclude proceedings.

Women’s Team Semi-Finals

CENTRE LEFT

Wang Chuqin beat Felix Lebrun to reserve China’s place in the men’s team final.

CENTRE RIGHT

Wang Manyu overcame Jeon Jihee to seal victory in opposition to Korea Republic

China, the top seeds, recorded an imposing 3-0 win against Korea Republic. Chen Meng and Wang Manyu beat Jeon Jihee and Shin Yubin (11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9) in the opening contest. Following suit, Sun Yingsha overcame Lee Eunhye (11-5, 11-1, 113), before Wang Manyu prevailed against Jeon Jihee (11-3, 11-7, 11-3) to bring matters to a conclusion.

Japan, the no.2 seeds, justified their status, securing a 3-1 win against Germany, the no.5 seeds. Annett Kaufmann maintained her unbeaten record, accounting for Miwa Harimoto (11-9, 11-8, 11-8) in the second match of the fixture. Hina Hayata and Miu Hirano overcame Shan Xiaona and Yuan Wan (11-3, 11-3, 611, 11-8), before Miu Hirano accounted for Yuan Wan (11-7, 11-6, 11-9) and Miwa Harimoto defeated Shan Xiaona to end matters (11-8, 11-5, 11-0).

LOWER LEFT

A place in the final secured a medal for Miwa Harimoto on Olympic Games debut

LOWER RIGHT

Tomokazu Harimoto claimed men’s team bronze in Tokyo, in Paris it was so near yet so far

Youngest Claim Medals

Success for the Japan women’s team meant for the first time siblings owned Olympic medals; three years earlier in Tokyo, Tomokazu Harimoto had been a member of the Japanese men’s team that secured bronze.

Also, it meant the youngest players in each of the men’s and women’s event had secured medals. Félix Lebrun, men’s singles bronze was 17 years, 10 months and 14 days old on the date of the opening ceremony, Friday 26th July, Miwa Harimoto, 16 years, 1 month and 10 days old.

Surely unique for every sport at every Olympic Games?

Friday 9th August

Men’s Team Bronze

France, the no.3 seeds, beat Japan the no.4 seeds to clinch bronze. Félix Lebrun emerged the hero of the hour in a 3-2 overall win.

In the second match of the fixture, he saved three consecutive match points in the fifth game to beat Tomokazu Harimoto (11-13, 11-4, 9-11, 11-6, 12-10), before in the crucial decisive contest keeping his supporters on the edges of their seats.

He accounted for Hiroto Shinozuka (11-7, 11-7, 12-14, 13-11) after holding two match points in the third

game and surrendering a further two in the fourth.

Crucially Simon Gauzy and Alexis Lebrun secured the vital doubles (11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 11-6); for Japan, Shunsuke Togami beat Alexis Lebrun (11-8, 119, 9-11, 11-9); Tomokazu Harimoto overcame Simon Gauzy (11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 14-12).

A men’s team medal for France and the first time two European teams have secured podium finishes in an event dating back to 2008 in Beijing.

The only other European team to secure a men’s team medal is Germany, silver in 2008 and 2020, bronze 2012 and 2016.

Alex and Félix Lebrun became the first siblings to win a medal in the table tennis events at the same Olympic Games.

Men’s Team Gold

China, the top seeds, posted a 3-0 win against Sweden, the no.7 seeds in a contest that was much closer than the scoreline suggested.

Every match went the full five games distance.

Notably, each member of the Chinese trio responded in the crucial fifth game to quell the nerves of Wang Hao, the coach, and delight adoring supporters.

TOP LEFT

Medallists in the men’s team event, left to right Truls Moregard, Kristian Karlsson, Anton Källberg, Wang Chuqin, Ma Long, Fan Zhendong, Felix Lebrun. Alexis Lebrun, Simon Gauzy

LOWER LEFT

Competition over, the women’s team medallists the best of friends back row left to right Miu Hirano, Miwa Harimoto, Wang Manyu, Shin Yubin, Chen Meng, Lee Eunhye, Jeon Jihee; front row left to right Hina Hayata, Sun Yingsha

RIGHT

A sixth gold medal for Ma Long at the Olympic Games

Saturday 10th August

Women’s Team Bronze

Korea Republic, the no.3 seeds, claimed a 3-0 win against Germany, the no.5 seeds, to repeat the efforts of colleagues Dang Yeseo, Kim Kyungah and Park Miyoung who won bronze in 2008 in Beijing.

Jeon Jihee and Shin Yubin gave the Korea Republic the ideal start. They beat Shan Xiaona and Yuan Wan (116, 11-8, 8-11, 10-12, 11-8), succeeding on their third match point, the German duo having saved one match point at 10-9 in the fourth.

A confidence boosting success, Lee Eunhye ended Annett Kaufmann’s unbeaten run (11-8, 11-9, 11-2), before in a similar manner, Jeon Jihee defeated Shan Xiaona (11-6, 11-6, 11-6) to end matters.

Women’s Team Gold

China, the top seeds, posted a 3-0 win against Japan, the no.2 seeds, to win the women’s team title for the fifth consecutive time and thus maintained their perfect record in the event first staged in 2008 in the Peking University Gymnasium.

Furthermore, it was China’s 300th gold medal in the Summer Olympic Games.

MEDALLISTS

Men’s Singles

Gold: Fan Zhendong (CHN)

Silver: Truls Moregard (SWE)

Bronze: Félix Lebrun (FRA)

Women’s Singles

Gold: Chen Meng (CHN)

Silver: Sun Yingsha (CHN)

Bronze: Hina Hayata (JPN)

Mixed Doubles

Gold: Wang Chuqin / Sun Yingsha (CHN)

Silver: Ri Kong Sik / Kim Kum Yong (PRK)

Bronze: Lim Jonghoon / Shin Yubin (KOR)

Men’s Team

Gold: China (Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, Wang Chuqin)

Silver: Sweden (Anton Källberg, Kristian Karlsson, Truls Moregard)

Bronze: France (Simon Gauzy, Alexis Lebrun, Félix Lebrun)

Women’s Team

Gold: China (Chen Meng, Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu)

Silver: Japan (Miwa Harimoto, Hina Hayata, Miu Hirano)

Bronze: Korea Republic (Jeon Jihee, Lee Eunhye, Shin Yubin)

FACTFILE

Over 230,000 spectators attended, a full house every day, a total of 36 sessions, 6,500 fans were present each session. Visitors included former French footballer Zinedine Zidane.

Across all events: 32 team contests, 263 matches, 1185 games, 21498 points.

Staged in the presence of Carl XVI, the King of Sweden, Ma Long and Wang Chuqin beat Anton Källberg and Kristian Karlsson (8-11, 11-4, 113, 6-11, 11-7), Fan Zhendong accounted for Truls Moregard (10-12, 11-8, 11-9, 11-13, 11-5), before Wang Chuqin overcame Kristian Karlsson to conclude proceedings (11-9, 11-5, 1012, 10-12, 11-2).

Thus, Ma Long completed his international career on a winning note, six medals at an Olympic Games, all gold.

Furthermore, China maintained their unblemished record; the winners on every occasion since the event was first staged in 2008 in Beijing.

Japan proved most worthy adversaries, Hina Hayata and Miwa Harimoto led Chen Meng and Wang Manyu 9-6 in the deciding fifth game before experiencing defeat (911, 11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 12-10). Miu Hirano tested Sun Yingsha (13-11, 11-6, 11-6) as did Miwa Harimoto in opposition to Wang Manyu (12-14, 12-10, 11-7, 11-6).

It was the only team match which China did not complete in less than 90 minutes, the doubles the closest they came to defeat.

Both Chen Meng and Wang Manyu retained their distinction of never having lost a match at an Olympic Games; the other players to achieve the feat are China’s Deng Yaping, Zhang Yinging, Chen Qi and Yan Sen alongside Chinese Taipei’s Chiang Hung-Chieh.

Longest team contest was the men’s semifinal Sweden versus Japan, total duration was three hours 30 minutes.

Longest individual match was in women’s singles round two, Britt Eerland versus Hana Matelova (13-11, 8-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8); the match lasted one hour 11 minutes, a total of 144 points.

Shortest individual match was in women’s singles round one, Jia Nan Yuan versus Fatimo Bello (11-1, 11-3, 11-3, 11-5), only 18 minutes, a total of 56 points.

There were three 11-0 results: Men’s singles round one: Wang Chuqin in the fifth game against Ibrahima Diaw. Women’s singles quarter-final: Chen Meng in the third game against Sofia Polcanova. Women’s team semi-final: Miwa Harimoto in the third game against Xiaona Shan. Overall, 29 per cent of games were determined by the two point margin.

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Full results

New Format

Play commencing on Thursday 29th August in the South Paris Arena, China’s Mao Jingdian and Zhao Shuai heralded a new era in the table tennis events at a Paralympic Games. They became the first ever mixed doubles winners; a major change to the itinerary and there was one more of note, all events were held on the knock-out basis....

THURSDAY 29TH AUGUST

Four men’s doubles events alongside four women’s doubles, in each instance two for wheelchair players, two for standing, commenced play, the first time the events had been held since 1976 in Toronto when there had been three competitions for men, one for women.

The combination of the players classes determined the event for which the pairs were eligible.

Furthermore, at the close of play, the first medallists were known. In women’s doubles class 14, at the semi-final stage Germany’s Stephanie Grebe and Juliane Wolf, the no.3 seeds, beat Denmark’s Aida Dahlen and Merethe Tveiten, the top seeds (11-5, 7-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-5), China’s Huang Wenjuan and Jin Yucheng, the no.4 seeds, accounted for Great Britain’s Felicity Pickard and Bly Twomey, the no.2 seeds (6-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-6).

FRIDAY 30TH AUGUST

The first titles decided, success for China. Huang Wenjuan and Jin Yucheng maintained their previous day’s form to secure the women’s doubles class 14 top prize; colleagues Liu Jing and Xue Juan prevailed in women’s doubles class 5.

At the final hurdle Huang Wenjuan and Jin Yucheng accounted for Stephanie Grebe and Juliane Wolf (11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8); at the same stage Liu Jing and Xue Juan, the no.4 seeds, overcame Korea Republic’s Seo Suyeon and Yoon Jiyu, the top seeds (11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9).

Earlier in the day, Liu Jing and Xue Juan had recorded a semi-final win against Thailand’s Dararat Asayut and Chilchitraryak Bootswarina, the no.5 seeds (9-11, 13-11, 12-10, 11-7), the winners one round earlier in opposition to Italy’s Michela Brunelli and Giada Rossi, the no.2 seeds (711, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8).

In the counterpart semi-final, Seo Suyeon and Yoon Jiyu had ended the progress of Brazil’s Joyce de Oliveira and Catia Oliveira, the no.4 seeds (11-6, 11-8, 13-11).

TOP LEFT

Jin Yucheng left and right Huang Wenjuan, the women’s doubles class 14 winners

LOWER LEFT

Lei Li Na left and right Yang Qian celebrate victory in women’s doubles class 20

TOP RIGHT

Liu Jing left and right Xue Juan move one step closer to winning women’s doubles class 5

CENTRE RIGHT

Stephanie Grebe left and right Juliane Wolf the silver medallists in women’s doubles class 14

BELOW RIGHT

Peter Lovas left and right Jan Riapos proved a pair in total harmony; they excelled expectations to win men’s doubles class 4

SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST

A total of five events decided, the standout performance being that achieved in men’s doubles class 4 by Slovakia’s Peter Lovas in harness with veteran Jan Riapos, a player competing in no less than his eighth Paralympic Games, a feat only Spain’s José Manuel Ruiz can match.

The Slovakians proved the scourge of Korea Republic. Occupying the no.5 seeded position, having earlier in the week recorded a quarter-final success against Spain’s Iker Sastre and Miguel Angel Toledo, the no.3 seeds (11-3, 10-12, 7-11, 14-12, 11-5), momentum was maintained.

They beat Cha Sooyong and Park Jincheol, the no.2 seeds (10-12, 11-7, 118, 7-11, 12-10), followed by success in opposition to Jang Yeongjin and Park Sunjoo, the top seeds, (10-12, 11-7, 11-8, 7-11, 12-10) to secure gold.

In the counterpart penultimate round contest, Jang Yeongjin and Park Sunjoo had ousted the French partnership formed by Fabien Lamirault and Julien Michaud, the no.4 seeds (11-6, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6).

Gold for Slovakia, overall, a fifth career gold for Jan Riapos, it was the same colour for Australia in women’s doubles class 20; Lei Li Na and Yang Qian, the no.2 seeds, accounted for Chinese Taipei’s Lin Tzu-Yu and Tian Shiau-Wen, the top seeds (11-7, 11-6, 3-11, 12-10) to secure the top prize.

Earlier in the day Lei Li Na and Yang Qian had beaten Brazil’s Bruna Alexandre and Danielle Rauen, the no.4 seeds (11-8, 11-9, 11-4); Tian ShiauWen and Lin Tzu-Yu had ousted Poland’s Natalia Partyka and Karolina Pek, the no.3 seeds (11-7, 11-6, 11-4).

A most creditable win for the Chinese Taipei duo, in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, the Polish pair had won women’s team class 6-10, more recently in Tokyo they had prevailed in women’s team class 9-10.

Impressive from Australia and Slovakia; once again it was impressive from China, three further titles were added to their growing collection.

China’s redoubtable Cao Ningning u

and Feng Panfeng, the no.5 seeds, emerged worthy men’s doubles class 8 winners.

At the quarter-final stage they beat the French pairing of Emeric Martin and Maxime Thomas, the no.4 seeds (12-10, 11-4, 11-7), before in the penultimate round overcoming Thailand’s Wanchai Chaiwut and Yuttajak Glinbanchuen, the top seeds (8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9).

Good form, in the final the good form continued; they accounted for Germany’s Valentin Baus and Thomas Schmidberger, the no.2 seeds (11-9, 11-5, 11-6), to secure gold.

In the counterpart semi-final Valentin Baus and Thomas Schmidberger had beaten Turkey’s Abdullah Ozturk and Nesim Turan, the no.6 seeds (117, 6-11, 13-11, 2-11, 11-3), the quarter-final winners in opposition to Korea Republic’s Kim Junggil and Kim Younggun, the no.3 seeds (11-4, 11-7, 11-6).

Following suit in a similar vein, both pairs occupying the no.4 seeded position, Gu Xiaodan and Pan Jiamin won women’s doubles class 10; Zhao Shuai and Mao Jingdian emerged the mixed doubles class 17 winners.

At the final hurdle Gu Xiaodan and Pan Jiamin beat Serbia’s Nada Matic and Borislava Peric-Rankovic, the no.3 seeds (11-7, 7-11, 11-3, 11-7), having one round earlier overcome Korea Republic’s Jung Younga and Moon Sunghye, the no.2 seeds (11-7, 11-6, 11-8).

In the opposite semi-final, Nada Matic and Borislava Peric-Rankovic had also ousted a Korea Republic partnership.

They had overcome Kang Oejeong and Lee Migyu, the no.6 seeds (1210, 11-3, 7-11, 3-11, 11-7); the pair that in the quarter-finals had caused a major upset. They ended the hopes of China’s Zhang Bian and Zhou Jing, the top seeds (12-10, 11-3, 7-11, 3-11, 11-7).

Hard fought success for Guo Xiaodan and Pan Jiamin, it was even harder earned for Zhao Shuai and Mao Jingdian, at the semi-final stage they recovered from a two games to nil

deficit against Ukraine’s Viktor Didukh and Iryna Shynkarova, the no.5 seeds to secure victory by the very narrowest of margins (9-11, 9-11, 119, 11-6, 12-10).

A worthy win for the Chinese duo, one round earlier the Ukrainians had overcome Brazil’s Paulo Salmin and Bruna Alexandre, the no.2 seeds (12, 11-4, 11-7).

A place in the final, a straight games outcome was the verdict in opposition to compatriots Peng Weinan and Xiong Guiyan, the no.3 seeds (11-9, 11-6, 11-8). In the counterpart semi-final, Peng Weinan and Xiong Guiyan had beaten Poland’s Piotr Grudzien and Karolina Pek, the top seeds (11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 9-11, 11-8).

SUNDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER

Doubles’ events concluded and more success for China, they won two of the three titles on offer; the exception being in men’s doubles class 18, Poland’s Patryk Chojnowski and Piotr Grudzien proved the nemesis, ending Chinese hopes

The previous day at the semi-final stage, the Polish pair had beaten Lian Hao and Zhao Shuai the no.2 seeds (15-13, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7), before in the final overcoming Liu Chaodong and Zhao Yi Qing, the no.17 seeds (13-11, 11-8, 11-7).

Surprise finalists, also surprise semifinalists; Brazil’s Luiz Guanieri and Claudio Massad raised the eyebrows.

The no.15 seeds, in round two they caused a major upset beating Spain’s Ander Cepas and Jorge Cardona, the top seeds (9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6), before overcoming the French pairing of Matteo Boheas and Thomas Bouvais, the no.7 seeds (5-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5).

A place in the penultimate place booked but no further progress, Liu Chaodong and Zhao Yi Qing ended adventures (11-5, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8).

Earlier at the quarter-final stage Liu Chaodong and Zhao Yi Qing had beaten Poland’s Maksym Chudzicki and Igor Misztal, the no.10 seeds (118, 8-11, 11-3, 11-0), the second round

TOP LEFT

A proud moment for Feng Panfeng left and right Cao Nining, the men’s doubles class 8 gold medallists

TOP RIGHT

Yan Shuo left and right Liao Keli, the men’s doubles class 14 winners, salute their supporters

winners in opposition to Great Britain’a Aaron McKibbin and Joshua Stacey, the no.3 seeds (8-11, 11-3, 611, 11-9, 11-3).

Somewhat differently, flying the flag for China, Liao Keli and Yan Shuo won men’s doubles class 14, colleagues Feng Panfeng and Zhou Ying secured mixed doubles class 7 gold.

At the final hurdle Liao Keli and Yan Shuo, the no.4 seeds, beat Thailand’s Rungroj Thainiyom and Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri, the top seeds (611, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7) to secure gold.

CENTRE LEFT

Gold for left Piotr Grudzien and right Patryk Chojnowski in men’s doubles class 20

CENTRE RIGHT

Pan Jiamin left and right Guo Xiaodan en route to gold in women’s doubles class 10

Earlier, in the penultimate round they had ousted Frenchmen, Clément Berthier and Esteban Herrault, the no.2 seeds (13-11, 11-7, 11-7). At the same stage Rungroj Thainiyom and Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri had ended the aspirations of Great Britain’s Paul Karabardak and Billy Shilton, the no.6 seeds (11-9, 11-9, 11-7), the winners one round earlier against Brazil’s Paulo Salmin and Israel Stroh, the no.3 seeds (7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-5).

Success somewhat contrary to status for Liao Keli and Yan Shuo, conversely, for Feng Panfeng and Zhou Ying, they confirmed their top billing.

BELOW

Feng Panfeng left and right Zhou Xin, the mixed doubles class 7 winners

One day earlier at the semi-final stage they had beaten the French pairing of Florian Merrien and Flora Vauthier, the no.8 seeds (11-4, 11-9, 11-8), the quarter-final winners against Korea Republic’s Kim Younggun and Lee Migyu, the no.4 seeds (9-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6).

A final place reserved, they overcame Thailand’s Yuttajak Glinbanchuen and Wijittra Jaion, the no.3 seeds (11-13, 11-7, 11-9, 11-8).

Notably at the semi-final stage Yuttajak Glinbanchuen and Wijittra Jaion had accounted for China’s Zhai Xiang and Gu Xiaodan, the no.6 seeds (119, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7), the quarter-final winners in opposition to Korea Republic’s Kim Junggil and Yoon Jiyu, the no.2 seeds (11-8, 11-5, 11-6).

Overall, 10 doubles events, seven gold medals for China, two silver and two bronze; most impressive and a clear message for the singles events. u

MONDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER

Bronze medallist in Tokyo, Turkey’s Ali Ozturk, the no.6 seed, hit the headlines; he recorded a quarterfinal men’s singles class 5 success against Germany’s Valentin Baus, the top seed (6-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-4) and winner three years ago in Japan’s capital city.

Also, at the same stage, China’s Cao Ningning, beaten by Baus in the Tokyo final and winner in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, departed proceedings. He lost to Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Ming-Chih, the no.2 seed (11-6, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7).

Defeat for the top seed but not for the other leading names, alongside Cheng Ming-Chih, Norway’s Tommy Urhaug, the no.3 seed, and Serbia’s

Mitar Palikuca, the no.4 seed, reserved semi-final places.

Medallists known, it was the same in men’s singles class 10 and women’s singles class 10. In the former Poland’s Patryk Chojnowski, the top seed, alongside Montenegro’s Filip Radovic, the no.2 seed and China’s Lian Hao, the no.4 seed, duly booked penultimate round places without the need for a deciding fifth game.

Rather differently, for Frenchman Mateo Boheas, the no.3 seed, life was more exacting. He needed five games to end the progress of Japan’s Mahiro Funayama, the no.9 seed (1311, 8-11, 14-16, 11-6, 11-5).

Semi-finalists as status predicted, in the counterpart women’s singles event there was one upset. Aus-

tralia’s Melissa Tapper, the no. 4 seed, experienced a quarter-final reverse at the hands of Chinese Taipei’s Tian Shiau-Wen, the no.6 seed (1311, 15-13, 8-11, 12-14, 11-8).

Problems for Melissa Tapper, not for colleague, Yang Qian, the top seed, she duly advanced to the semi-final stage, as did Poland’s Natalia Partyka, the no.2 seed and Brazil’s Bruna Alexandre, the no.3 seed.

TUESDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER

Gold medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Tommy Urhaug turned back time to win men’s singles class 5.

After accounting for Ali Ozturk at the semi-final stage (11-8, 11-7, 11-

6), he beat Cheng Ming-Chih to regain the men’s singles class 5 crown.

Urhaug prevailed by the very narrowest of margins (5-11, 11-7, 7-11, 117, 11-9) against an in-from player; prior to Paris, since January, Cheng Ming-Chih had won no less than six men’s singles titles at international tournaments.

Winner known, in men’s singles class 10 and in women’s singles class 10, the finalists were known. In the former, at the semi-final stage Patryk Chojnowski beat Mateo Boheas (118, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9), Lian Hao overcame Filip Radovic (11-8, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9).

Thus, as in Tokyo it was bronze for Radovic, for Boheas one step lower; in Japan’s capital city he had claimed

silver, again losing to Chojnowski.

Finalists decided in four games, in women’s singles class 10, both semifinals demanded five games. Yang Qian beat Bruna Alexandre (6-11, 113, 9-11, 11-9, 11-3); Natalia Partyka overcame Tian Shiau-Wen (11-6, 115, 8-11, 12-14, 11-8).

A third consecutive women’s singles class 10 bronze for Bruna Alexandre, a second in for Tian Shiau-Wen.

WEDNESDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER

Winners in Tokyo, Patryk Chojnowski and Yang Qian retained their respective men’s singles class 10 and women’s singles class 10 titles.

At the final hurdle, Chojnowski over-

FAR LEFT

Tommy Urhaug, the men’s singles class 5 winner

TOP LEFT

Ali Ozturk caused a major upset by beating Valentin Baus

TOP CENTRE

A third consecutive bronze for Bruna Alexandre

TOP RIGHT

Yang Qian retained her women’s singles class 10 title

LOWER LEFT

Tian Shiau-Wen upset the seeding to reach the women’s singles class 10 semifinals

LOWER RIGHT

came Lian Hao by the minimal twopoint margin in tense full distance encounter (12-10, 11-8, 7-11, 10-12, 12-10); less dramatically Yang Qian recorded a straight games win against Natalia Partyka (11-6, 11-9, 12-10).

Once again, as at the semi-final stage in Tokyo and in the final at the 2022 World Para Championships, Yang Qian proved Partyka’s nemesis in what was the Polish players fifth appearance in a Paralympic Games women’s singles final. Commencing in 2004 in Athens she won on four consecutive occasions.

For Chojnowski, it was a fourth appearance in a Paralympic Games men’s singles final, a third gold, the one blemish being in 2016 when beaten by China’s Ge Yang.

The men’s singles class 10 podium left to right Lian Hao, Patryk Chojnowski, Mateo Boheas and Filip Radovic u

Four in a row, it was the same in women’s singles class 5 for China’s Zhang Bian, the winner in London in 2012 and now ever since that date. The top seed, after accounting for Korea Republic’s Moon Sunghye, the no.4 seed (11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 12-10); she secured the title at the expense of colleague, Pan Jiamin, the no.3 seed (11-3, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10).

Earlier, in the penultimate round, Pan Jiamin had beaten Korea Republic’s Jung Younga, the no.5 seed (911, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10), the last eight victor in opposition to France’s Alexandra Saint-Pierre, the no.2 seed and reigning World champion (10-12, 117, 9-11, 12-10, 11-8).

THURSDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER

China’s Feng Panfeng and the Netherlands’ Kelly van Zon underlined the fact that they have just claim to be listed amongst the greatest Paralympians of all time and not just in the sport of table tennis.

Both occupied the top seeded position in their respective categories. Kelly van Zon won women’s singles 7 for the third consecutive time, Feng Panfeng secured the men’s singles class 3 title for the fifth time in succession.

Feng Panfeng proved imperious, following success earlier in the day against Korea Republic’s Jang Yeongin, the no.7 seed (11-9, 11-4, 11-9), the quarter-final winner in opposition to Jensen van Emburgh of the United States, the no.4 seed (11-8, 611, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9), he beat Germany’s Thomas Schmidberger, the no.2 seed (11-2, 11-7, 11-7) to secure the top prize. At the semi-final stage Schmidberger had ended the hopes of Thailand’s Yuttajak Glinbanchuen, the no.3 seed (11-4, 11-8, 11-8).

The win for Feng Panfeng meant he emerged the only player in the whole tournament to secure a full house of three titles. Previously, he had won gold in men’s doubles class 8 partnering Cao Ningning; alongside Zhou Ying he had succeeded in mixed doubles class 7.

A smooth passage with no great alarms was the order of the day for

TOP LEFT

Zhang Bian, the women’s singles class 5 winner

TOP CENTRE

Feng Panfeng won men’s singles class 3 and thus ended the tournament with a full house of titles

TOP RIGHT

Kelly van Zon completed a remarkable recovery to win women’s singles class 7

Feng Panfeng; for Kelly van Zon life was different. Facing Turkey’s Kubra Korkut, the no.2 seed and player against whom she had experienced defeat in the final at the 2022 World Para Championships and one year later at the European Para Championships, she recovered from a two games to nil deficit to secure the precious title (7-11, 3-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-7).

Earlier in the day, at the semi-final stage, Kelly van Zon had accounted for China’s Wang Rui, the no.3 seed (9-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-6); Kubra Korkut had fought back from two games to nil in arrears to beat Great Britain’s 14- year-old Bly Twomey, the no.4 seed (9-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-5).

Palos as opposed to the top step in Tokyo; in women’s singles class 11 it was a similar scenario. Elena Prokofeva, gold three years ago, now on duty as an independent athlete, had to settle for silver.

Occupying the no.8 seeded position, at the quarter-final stage she beat Hong Kong’s Wong Ting Ting, the no.3 seed (11-7, 11-3, 11-8), prior to reserving her place in the final courtesy of success against Japan’s Kanami Furukawa, the no.2 seed (5-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-7, 11-6).

CENTRE

Rafael Czuper after securing the crucial point to win men’s singles class 2

LOWER LEFT

Kim Gitae, the men’s singles class 11 gold medallist

LOWER CENTRE

An emotional Natsuki Wada after securing the women’s singles class 11 title

LOWER CENTRE

Matteo Parenzan savours the moment following his quite stunning victory in men’s singles class 6

The same colour medal as in Tokyo for Kelly van Zon, for Poland’s Rafal Czuper in men’s singles class 2 it was one step higher. The no.2 seed, having the previous day ousted Korea Republic’s Cha Sooyong, the no.4 seed (3-11, 14-12, 11-8, 13-11), he overcame the Czech Republic’s Jiri Suchanek, the no.8 seed (11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6) to reserve the top prize.

An impressive performance by Rafal Czuper, at the semi-final stage Suchanek had ended the progress of the host nation’s Fabien Lamirault, the top seed and player against who Czuper had lost in the Tokyo final. Suchanek prevailed in four games (11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6).

Gold for the no.2 seed, in men’s singles class 11 it was the top prize for the no.3 seed. Korea Republic’s Kim Gitae, crowned World champion in 2022, added to his list of honours; having beaten Australia’s Samuel von Einem, the top seed, in the semifinals (11-5, 8-11, 11-9, 15-13), he overcame Chinese Taipei’s Chen PoYen, the no.5 seed (3-11, 15-13, 11-7, 11-9) to claim the title.

Previously, at the quarter-final stage Chen Po-Yen had beaten Belgium’s Florian van Acker, the no.2 seed (119, 11-7, 10-12, 11-7), before ousting Hungary’s Peter Palos, the no.6 seed (11-4, 11-3, 11-7); in the immediate prior round the Hungarian had overcome Frenchman Lucas Creange, the no.4 seed (12-10, 11-8, 11-6).

The third step of the podium for

Success against one notable Japanese player, not against a second; in the final Prokofeva was beaten by Natsuki Wada, the no.4 seed (8-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4), the semi-final winner in opposition to Turkey’s Ebru Acer, the top seed (9-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7).

FRIDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER

Five further titles decided, Italy’s Matteo Parenzan and Giada Rossi completed the “big three” adding to their World and European titles; Cuba’s Yunier Fernandez emerged a most unexpected gold medallist, China’s Yan Zhuo and Croatia’s Andela Muzinic-Vincetic prevailed in the closest finals of the tournament.

Impressive an understatement, 21year-old Matteo Parenzan, the no.2 seed, secured the men’s singles class 6 title without the loss of a single game.

Furthermore, in the latter rounds he beat former winners. At the semifinal stage he ousted Ian Seidenfeld of the United States, the no.10 seed (11-7, 11-2, 11-9), and winner in Tokyo before in the final halting the aspirations of Thailand’s Rungroj Thainiyom, the no.3 seed (11-6, 11-6, 11-5), successful in 2012 in London.

Earlier at the quarter-final stage Seidenfeld had beaten Spain’s Alvaro Valera, the no.4 seed (11-5, 12-10, 11-9); in the opposite half of the draw, in the penultimate round Thainiyom had overcome Denmark’s Peter Rosenmeier, the top seed (1012, 11-7, 17-15, 6-8, 11-8) and winner in 2008 in Beijing and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. u

Success for Matteo Parenzan without any moments of alarm, for Giada Rossi in women’s singles class 1-2, life was somewhat more torturous. The no.2 seed, at the semi-final stage she needed the full five games to beat Poland’s Dorota Bucklow, the no.5 seed (12-10, 11-6, 8-11, 6-11, 11-6). A player in form, one round earlier, she had overcome Brazil’s Catia Oliveira, the no.4 seed (11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5). One round later she secured the title at the expense of China’s Liu Jing, the no.3 seed (11-9, 11-6, 11-8).

A straight games win against Liu Jing was an outstanding performance, she was seeking her fifth consecutive title having won on each occasion since Beijing in 2008; in the penultimate round Liu Jing had ousted Korea Republic’s Seo Suyeon, the top seed (5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 10-12, 13-11).

New horizons for Matteo Parenzan and Giada Rossi, it was similar for Yunior Fernandez in men’s singles class 1, his only prior claim to fame being gold at the 2023 Para Pan American Games in Santiago.

The no.7 seed, having booked his penultimate round place two days earlier following success against Great Britain’s Tom Matthews, the no.4 seed (11-5, 10-12, 11-4, 11-9), he continued his winning ways. He beat Italy’s Federico Falco, the no.5 seed (15-13, 11-6, 4-11, 10-12, 11-2), before overcoming Great Britain’s Rob Davies, the no.6 seed (14-12, 11-7, 11-4) and Rio 2016 gold medallist, to seal the title.

An event littered with upsets, Korea Republic experiencing disappointments. Both Joo Youngdae, the top

seed and defending champion, alongside Kim Hakjin, the no.2 seed, departed proceedings in the quarterfinals. Joo Youngdae lost to Falco (15-13, 11-6, 4-11, 10-12, 11-2); Kim Hakjin was beaten by Davies (11-9, 11-5, 8-11, 3-11, 11-8). One round later the British player reserved his place in the final courtesy of success against Hungary’s Endre Major, the no.3 seed (11-6, 11-6, 9-11, 16-14).

Close calls, victory by narrow margins, it was even closer for Andela Muzinic-Vincetic in the women’s singles class 3 final and for Yan Shuo in the men’s singles class 7 gold medal contest; both overcame the top seed to reserve the top prize.

The no.2 seed, Andela Muzinic-Vincetic beat Korea Republic’s Yoon Jiyu (11-7, 11-8, 10-12, 10-12, 13-11); Yan

Shuo, the no.3 seed, overcame Great Britain’s Will Bayley (11-8, 12-14, 117, 7-11, 11-9) in what was a repeat of the Tokyo final, the verdict the same.

Earlier in the day at the semi-final stage Andela Muzinic-Vincetic had recorded a semi-final success against China’s Xue Juan (10-12, 11-3, 11-8, 11-8), Yoon Jiyu had beaten Italy’s Carlotta Ragazzini, the no.4 seed (11-7, 11-13, 7-11, 11-4).

In men’s singles class 7, in the penultimate round Yan Shuo had beaten Thailand’s Charlermpong Punpoo, the no.5 seed (5-11, 19-17, 11-8, 3-11, 11-3), the quarter-final winner in opposition to Japan’s Katsuyoshi Yagi, the no.2 seed (11-9, 11-8, 11-4). Will Bayley had reserved his place in the final courtesy of success against Jean-Paul Montanus of the Nether-

lands, the no.4 seed (11-7, 11-6, 112).

Notably for Yan Shuo it was his second gold of the tournament, on the fifth day of action he had partnered colleague, Liao Keli, to success in men’s doubles class 14.

SATURDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER

The concluding day of play, eight events decided, the most on a single day in the whole tournament. Belgium’s Laurens Devos alongside Ukraine’s Viktor Didukh emerged the standout names; both added Paralympic Games gold to existing World and European titles.

One wonders if Laurens Devos will set unparalleled records, only 24

TOP LEFT

Delight for Giada Rossi as she wins the point to secure the women’s singles class 1-2 title

TOP CENTRE

Andela Muzinic Vincetic, the women’s class 3 gold medallist

FAR RIGHT

Yunior Fernandez, the surprise men’s singles class 1 winner.

LOWER LEFT

Yan Shuo retained his men’s singles class 7 title.

LOWER CENTRE

So near yet so far for Yoo Jiyu in women’s singles class 3

years old, currently in men’s singles class 9 he has two World, three European and three Paralympic Games titles to his name.

No player who competed in Paris can match that record, in the Parisian capital city he was imperious, the title decided without the loss of a single game; through to the penultimate round he beat Spain’s Ander Cepas, the no.3 seed (11-7, 11-8, 117), before accounting for Frenchman Lucas Didier, the no.4 seed (11-9, 117, 11-7) to retain the precious crown.

A comprehensive win against Lucas Didier who was a man in form; at the semi-final stage he had halted the progress of Australia’s Ma Lin, the no.2 seed (10-12, 11-9, 7-11, 1210, 11-8), gold medallist in 2012 in London. u

Never in serious doubt, for Viktor Didukh in men’s singles class 8 life was more testing. The top seed, one day earlier he had reserved a place in the gold medal contest courtesy of a four games win against surprise semi-finalist Thailand’s Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri, the no.13 seed (11-2, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8).

Hard fought, it was an even harder fought contest to secure the title, the full five games were needed to beat China’s Zhao Shuai, the no.4 seed (11-7, 4-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8).

Silver for Zhao Shuai, it was almost bronze, a five games win against Maksym Nikolenko, the no.5 seed, prevented an all Ukrainian final (116, 9-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8). Furthermore, the quarter-final round was almost the nemesis for Maksym Nikolenko, he beat Frenchman Clément Berthier, the no.2 seed, by the very narrowest of margins (14-12, 118, 8-11, 6-11, 13-11).

An early exit for a player with medal hopes, it was an even earlier departure for Poland Piotr Grudzien, the no.3 seed; he was beaten in round two by China’s Peng Weinan, the no.11 seed (11-5, 15-13, 7-11, 9-11, 11-9). One round later at the quarter-final stage Peng Weinan lost to Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri (116, 11-8, 8-11, 15-13).

Adding to success gained in recent

years it was the same for Iraq’s Najlah Al-Dayyeni, China’s Huang Wenjuan and Poland’s Karolina Pek; in 2023 all had enjoyed continental success. Najlah Al-Dayyeni and Huang Wenjuan had struck gold at the Asian Para Games in Huangzhou, Karolina Pek at the European Para Championships in Sheffield.

Commencing play in the no.3 seeded position, of the trio the name to attract the greatest attention, was Najlah Al-Dayyeni; she became her country’s first ever gold medallist in the table tennis events at a Paralympic Games.

Competing in women’s singles class 6, at the semi-final stage she beat

TOP LEFT

Viktor Didukh filled with emotion as he salutes victory in men’s singles class 8

TOP CENTRE

Najlah Al-Dayyeni, the winner of women’s singles class 6

TOP RIGHT

Karolina Pek, added to her list of titles, she won women’s class 9 gold

Stephanie Grebe, the no.2 seed, was beaten by Maliak Alieva; Great Britain’s Felicity Pickard, the no.4 seed, by Romania’s Camelia Ciripan, the no.6 seed (6-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8, 118). One round later Ciripan experienced defeat when facing Maryna Lytovcheno (11-5, 11-7, 11-5).

Success for Najlah Al-Dayyeni in an event that included a player with a string of titles, it was the same for Karolina Pek, the no.2 seed, in women’s singles class 9. The top seed was Australia’s Lei Li Na, the winner in Beijing, London and Tokyo, the runner up in Rio de Janeiro when losing the China’s Liu Meng, just one defeat in 16 years!

On duty in women’s singles class 4, after overcoming China’s Gu Xiaodan, the no.3 seed (1-11, 11-3, 12-10, 13-11), Sandra Mikolaschek accounted for Serbia’s Borislava PericRankovic, the top seed and winner in Rio (11-5, 11-3, 6-11, 11-8).

Previously, at the semi-final stage Peric-Rankovic had recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat China’s Zhou Ying, the no.5 seed (1113, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8), the quarter-final winner when facing India’s Bhavina Patel, the no.4 seed (14-12, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6).

LOWER LEFT

Huang Wijuan added to her women’s doubles success gained on the second day of play, she won women’s singles class 8

LOWER CENTRE

Sandra Mikolaschek won women’s singles class 4 to emerge the only German player to secure gold

LOWER RIGHT

Kim Junggun won men’s singles class 4 to add to his success earlier in Athens and London

At the semi-final stage, Lei Li Na was beaten by China’s Xiong Guiyan, the no.4 seed (8-11, 11-8, 11-6, 6-11, 115), Karolina Pek, the no.2 seed, ended the progress of Hungary’s Alexa Szvitacs, the no.3 seed and reigning World champion (11-7, 11-8, 11-7).

Holders of the two major titles the sport has to offer departed, a major opportunity arose, Karolina Pek seized that opportunity; against Xiong Guiyan she prevailed in five games (11-7, 2-11, 4-11, 13-11, 11-8).

Disappointment for China; in women’s singles class 8 it was delight. Huang Wenjuan, the no.2 seed, recorded a final win against Norway’s Aida Dahlen, the top seed (114, 12-10, 11-6).

Meanwhile, in men’s singles class 4, after accounting for Nigeria’s Isau Ogunkule, the no.14 seed (9-11, 11-8, 11-4, 13-11), Korea Republic’s Kim Younggun overcame Thailand’s Wanchai Chaiwut, the top seed (6-11, 119, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5) to secure gold.

Bronze for Ogunkule, a player who very much exceeded expectations; in round two he beat Turkey’s Abdullah Ozturk, the no.3 seed (6-11, 11-6, 117, 12-10), before at the quarter-final stage ousting Frenchman Maxime Thomas, the no.6 seed (9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-6).

Maliak Alieva, the no.8 seed, an independent athlete (8-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-8), prior to overcoming Ukraine’s Maryna Lytovchenko, the top seed (8-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-8) and clear favourite for gold. She had won in Tokyo then in 2022 succeeded at the World Para Championships and one year later at the European Para Championships.

However, there was a hint that AlDayyeni may cause an upset; earlier this year, she had beaten Lytovchenko in the final in Egypt but later had experienced defeat in Slovenia.

A somewhat unexpected outcome in an event not short of surprises. At the quarter-final stage, Germany’s

Earlier Huang Wenjuan had overcome Chile’s Florencia Perez, the no.5 seed (11-5, 11-7, 11-8), the winner one round earlier against Thu Kamkasomphu, the no.3 seed and winner in 2000 in Sydney and 2008 in Beijing. In the opposite half of the draw, at the semi-final stage, Aida Dahlen had beaten Germany’s Julianne Wolf, the no.4 seed (11-2, 11-8, 11-8).

Success for Huang Wenjuan meant she collected her second title; earlier she had won women’s doubles class 14 partnering Jin Yucheng.

A good day for the no.2 seeded players, it was the same for Germany’s Sandra Mikolaschek and Korea Republic’s Kim Younggun.

Gold for Korea Republic, it was also bronze, by the very narrowest of decisions Kim Junggil, the no.4 seed, was beaten by Wanchai Chaiwut (118, 5-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9). Furthermore, for Kim Younggun, it was a third men’s singles title at a Paralympic Games; in 2004 in Athens and 2012 in London he had secured the class 3 crown.

Play concluded, China emerged the most successful but in the singles did not prove as dominant as in the doubles, four gold medals were added to the seven secured in the doubles.

Overall, next in line came Poland with four gold followed by Australia, Italy and Korea Republic, each with two titles, for the remaining gold medals of offer, 10 teams shared the spoils, a sign of healthy competition.

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List of medallists

Full results

CLASSICAL STYLE

Young talents have their idols, for one player in particular, his hero proved the vital source of inspiration, a major reasons why he became not only his country’s leading player but one of the finest defensive players ever known, the role model for the next generation

Not necessarily a tactic employed by Koji Matsushita but in his day it was permissable to shield the ball with the non playing arm

FACING

Nowadays the President of Victas

An ever-increasing range of rocket fast racket coverings on the market, coaches seeing speed and power as the road to success; amongst male players in particular, the backspin art has become a method of execution employed only in sheer desperation.

In fact, for those who continue to employ such a strategy to gain success, a strong forehand top spin stroke has become an essential weapon, the so-called modern-day defender is prepared to initiate the rally, to make the first move and, if necessary, become embroiled in top spin rallies.

It is a development that has witnessed the gradual disappearance of what can be termed the classical defender, the artiste for whom top spin play was important but who waited for the opportunity to employ the attacking option. Witnessing such play in its purist form, we must return to the turn of the century, the textbook techniques of Japan’s Koji Matsushita.

Respectful and humble in the best values of his heritage, he delighted crowds wherever he played but it was a style that almost did not happen.

“I have an elder brother, Tomohiro, who is five years older than me, he played table tennis, it was through his influence that I started”, reflected Matsushita. “I was eight years old when I first played, we

played at the Aiho Table Tennis Club located in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture; I followed everyone else and started as a pen holder.”

Tomohiro was a prime influence; he was the original motivating force, but he was not to prove the major motivator; that came from a very different source.

“After watching Norio Takashima's matches on television, I wanted to become a defensive player”, stressed Matsushita.

Norio Takashima is the father of all Japanese defensive players. At the World Championships he was a men’s singles bronze medallist

Without any doubt, he was my inspiration I think defensive players look very elegant and have a style that makes table tennis fun

in 1975; in the men’s team event the runner up in 1977, third place in 1973, 1979 and 1981.

“Without any doubt, he was my inspiration”, continued Matsushita. “I think defensive players look very elegant and have a style that makes table tennis fun.”

Fun is a key word; on no occasion was that illustrated better than at the 1997 World Championships in Manchester when alongside Hiroshi Shibutani, a player of similar ilk, the duo reached the men’s doubles semi-final; a success Matsushita considers the greatest of his career.

They were fun to watch; the response from two notable sporting personalities, present throughout the whole tournament, underlined the fact. Hugh Porter and his wife, the former Anita Lonsbrough, both retired elite athletes,

were witnessing top class table tennis for the first time. Together they had formed a business as sports’ commentators, their task at the tournament was to keep spectators informed as to the status of play and fulfil the master of ceremonies role.

Hugh Porter MBE is one of Great Britain's greatest ever professional cyclists, he won four individual pursuit world titles, more than any other rider; Anita Lonsbrough MBE, a swimmer, won gold when 19 years old in the 200 metres breaststroke at the Rome1960 Olympic Games.

Watching the men’s doubles, they were totally enchanted by the efforts of Matsushita and Shibutani; for them they stood out above all others, even above the

I knew not only his playing style, but also his personality, I started to understand what he was thinking. During matches, I tried to direct my play to the areas where a return was to his best spots

likes of Jan-Ove Waldner and Deng Yaping, all-time greats. It was quite simply sheer delight to watch how the ball was returned from nearer the court surrounds than the table.

Moreover, watching two masters of the art combining their skills added an extra ingredient to the show.

“Shibutani and I had been playing at the same club since we were 18 years old, we were always together in the same room at national team training camps and international tournaments”, explained Matsushita. “I knew not only his playing style, but also his personality, I started to understand what he was thinking. During matches, I tried to direct my play to the areas where a return was to his best spots.”

A clear understanding and above all else, each possessed another ingredient, willpower, the desire to win.

“You must have strong mental tenacity”, stressed Matsushita. “The task of the defensive player is to return the ball time and time again, maintain the pressure on your opponent.”

Returning the ball time and again; the material used on the Matsushita racket played a major role in his ability to perform that task at the very highest level.

Supported by Butterfly, using a racket blade bearing his name; on the forehand Tackifire, thickness 2.0mm; on the backhand Feint Long 3, thickness 0.5mm; the combination enabled him to exert control over the ball, absorb powerful attacking strokes and when the chance arose,

RIGHT

Hiroshi Shibutani left and right Koji Matsushita, men’s doubles bronze medallists at the 1997 World Championships u

MASTER CLASS

principally from the forehand, exercise the attacking option.

Notably he used long pimpled rubber on the backhand, as opposed to short pimples from which it is easier to play attacking strokes and change the amount of backspin imparted. Long pimples may not offer the same range of options, but the surface provides a great deal of stability and reliability, it enables the player to return the ball in the words of Matsushita “time and time again”.

Effecting the style brought Matsushita great success but few compatriots have followed his example. Yuto Muramatsu and Masato Shiono have appeared on the scene, for the women Honoka Hashimoto and Hitomi Sato stand out. Somewhat surprisingly, no players in the mode of Korea Republic’s Joo Saehyuk or China’s Chen Xinhua, Hou Yingchao and Ding Song have emerged.

“I think the reason why Japan has not developed defen-

sive players with attacking capabilities is because of the way Mr. Takashima and myself played; that has had a great influence”, suggested Matsushita. “The defensive players that have emerged from Japan showed talent as juniors.”

Notably, Muramatsu was the boys’ singles runner up at the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games, but in recent times has not gained first team national selection.

“Muramatsu is still a player who is developing, I think it is possible for him to become a top player in the world if he improves in all aspects of his play”, advised Matsushita. “He plays at a high level when attacking but I think he needs to improve his defence.”

Success for Yuto Muramatsu a decade ago, more recently China’s Sun Yang, very much a defensive player in the modern-day mode, has enjoyed success. He won the cadet boys’ singles title at the 2023 ITTF World Youth

Championships, earlier this year at WTT tournaments he succeeded in both Podgorica and Luxembourg.

I don't think the plastic ball has hindered the development of defensive players, I think it is just down to the coaches, I don’t want to see the defensive player disappear from the international stage; maybe we should raise the height of the net?

“I have seen him play, he is a player who focuses on defence, which is rare among Chinese players”, said Matsushita. “I think he can be a role model.”

Sun Yang is very much in the minority, one of the very few male defenders to have emerged since the introduc-

tion of the plastic ball, an argument presented by coaches for not promoting defensive play. The suggestion is the plastic ball drops quicker than the previous celluloid ball, but surely there is a converse argument: good players adapt.

“I don't think the plastic ball has hindered the development of defensive players, I think it is just down to the coaches”, concluded Matsushita. “I don’t want to see the defensive player disappear from the international stage; maybe we should raise the height of the net?”

Perhaps the comment was made tongue in cheek, before 1937, the height of the net was six-and three-quarter inches, some avid collector somewhere in the world must have such an artifact. How about we try the higher net as a feature on the final day of a World Championships?

Koji Matsushita, start practising, let’s see the master of classical defence at least one more time.

The Father Figure

A successful organisation depends on a series of factors being in place; those factors may vary but one is vital when sport is the question, a person who does not seek personal gain, but gives heart soul for the benefit of others, there is no better example than the lead figure at Ängby Table Tennis Club.

Look back through the past two decades, look back at the history of the ITTF World Junior Circuit inaugurated in 2002; now move forward to WTT Youth Contender tournaments, time and again Swedish names appear, members of the Ängby club.

At the helm is Nils-Erik Sandberg, always “Nisse”. Sitting courtside, in a caring, quiet and undemonstrative manner, he advises and encourages his players.

However, coaching is just one aspect of the role the octogenarian fulfils. He is the guiding hand in all respects, the father figure.

The desire to see young people achieve remains as strong as ever. He teaches respect, respect for the sport of table tennis; he is quick to acknowledge a well fought match whether the result is in his player’s favour or not. The effect is those under his care not only improve their abilities to lay racket on ball; also, they become better people, beneficial to society. Most importantly, they learn how to deal with the two great imposters, victory and defeat.

“Sport has a value on several levels, exciting high-class sport can be played in an atmosphere of international friendship”, stressed Sandberg. “Also, as well as being good exercise, it is a sport where you can meet at a level according to your ability or by age.”

Very much the ideals of Nisse Sandberg are in line with those of now over 50 years ago, the age of “Ping Pong Diplomacy”, when the sport brought together nations from totally different ideologies. The efforts of Tim Boggan from the United States are highly respected by Sandberg.

“Tim Boggan in 1971 showed what could be achieved and I wanted to follow; make peace and friendship through table tennis, all over the world”, said Sandberg. “The fantastic sport of table tennis being the weapon to help make a better world.”

Enabling those under his care to improve their playing skills and gain life experiences, Sandberg saw the

Tim Boggan, a lifelong friend who set the example for Nisse Sandberg to follow.

ITTF World Junior Circuit as a major ITTF World Junior Circuit as a major opportunity but there was a hurdle to overcome; entries for such international tournaments are made by ITTF member associations, not clubs.

“I think that the ITTF World Junior Circuit was the best invention in sport I ever saw; it took care of most of my ambitions in life”, explained Sandberg. “At that time when it started, we were granted permission from the Swedish Table Tennis Association to play under the “Swedish flag”, competing when the national team did not enter and sometimes when they did.”

A potential problem, thanks to clear thinking and co-operation the Ängby travels began.

The principles held by Nisse Sandberg were very much illustrated by the tournaments to which he escorted his young players, tournaments in parts of the world that were not traditional destinations.

“In the table tennis hall, we met many nations, travelled to selected tournaments in different parts of the world

and saw new countries”, stressed Sandberg. “We travelled to countries where there was actually war and unrest, played matches against each other on friendly terms.”

Competing in junior tournaments in far flung parts of the world or nearer home is for Sandberg a most valuable educational tool, one no classroom can replace.

“When we received the programme for the following year, we first checked which tournaments did not clash with important tournaments in Sweden; then we excluded tournaments where we thought the Swedish national team would take part”, explained Sandberg. “We wanted to have a mix of levels, where we played in some strong and some not so strong tournaments; after that we wanted to play in different parts of the world and in different cultures. Therefore, our players could get different experiences, such things as culture and food; make new friends with totally different backgrounds.”

Different experiences, without doubt that is a massive understatement!

They set an example for local players by winning the junior boys’ doubles in Brazzaville; they ate wild oysters in Cape Town, travelled on the dangerous roads to the Ec uadorian city of Cuenca high in the Andes. Additionally, they were serenaded by local music groups at restaurants in San Salvador, and climbed mountains near Vancouver; memorably in Bangkok, they competed in a tournament on the top floor of a department store.

Likewise, they visited the colourful bazaars in Cas ablanca, beheld the tombs in the pyramids of Giza; when completing in the Korea Republic they met top people from a number of big companies, in particular. Hyundai and Pohang Heavy Industries.

“All the air travel together added to the experience”, stressed Sandberg. “The number of different cultures we faced, added substantial value to the kids’ future.”

LEFT

The Intercontinental hotel in San Salvador was always the destination for the El Salvador Junior & Cadet Open

TOP RIGHT

Gold and silver for Ängby at the 2021 East Swedish Championships for boys born in 2009. Emil Gjörling beat Jacob Sträm in the final

LOWER RIGHT

The 2021 Ängby International, Hugo Jobs, the winner and Olle Ståhl, the runner up

BELOW

Laurynne Carbaldo appeared alongside Usain Bolt in the Allianz Direct commercial "Future Sports Heroes" released prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games u

Ängby Travels

Algeria: Algiers

Australia: Melbourne

Austria: Vienna

Bahrain: Manama

Belgium: Charleroi,

Brazil: Săo Paulo

Canada: Edmonton, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver

China: Guangzhou, Taicang, Tianjin

Chinese Taipei: Taipei City

Colombia: Bogota

Congo Brazzaville: Brazzaville

Cook Islands: Avarua

Croatia: Zagreb

Czech Republic: Prague

Denmark: Copenhagen, Roskilde

Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo

Ecuador: Cuenca, Guayaquil

Egypt: Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh

El Salvador: San Salvador

Estonia: Tallinn

Finland: Helsinki, Kemijärvi

Germany: Flensburg, Heddesheim, Heidelberg

Guatemala: Guatemala City

Greece: Athens, Piraeus

Hong Kong: Hong Kong

Hungary: Budapest, Kecskemet

India: Goa, Pune

Iran: Qazvin City

Iraq: Erbil, Sulaymaniyah

Italy: Alassio

Jamaica: Kingston

Japan: Kobe

Jordan: Amman

Korea Republic: Busan, Cheongju, Cheongyang, Incheon, Pohang

Kuwait: Kuwait City

Latvia: Riga

Luxembourg: Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg

Malta: Valletta

Mauritius: Port Louis

Morocco: Casablanca

New Caledonia: Noumea

Norway: Bergen, Larvik, Oslo, Tromsř Bangkok, Pattaya

United Arab Emirates: Ras Al Khaimah

United States: Baltimore, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Worth, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami

Beach, New York, Oklahoma City, Washington, Venezuela: Valencia

Educational but equally, like all coaches, Sandberg wants his charges to improve, to succeed, to win.

Notably, at World Junior Circuit tournaments from 2002 to 2019, players from the club won some 50 gold, 60 silver and 100 bronze medals; on one occasion in Qatar, formidable French and Russian opposition present, they won both the junior boys’ team and junior boys’ doubles titles.

“The only way of being really good in sport is to travel and meet different players, face a variety of styles and circumstances, most importantly play against the very best. If you do not do that and only practise at home and play your neighbours you will never become a top player”, emphasised Sandberg. “I wanted in this way also to give my youngsters the opportunity to im prove.

In this respect, the World Junior Cir cuit provided the ideal base for selection.”

Equally important is the des tination in order to main tain and raise standards; organisers who are prepared to go that extra mile and seize initiatives have im mense value.

“International regulated tour naments, re-

garding such things as venues, umpires, hotel, food and organisation are most wanted for bringing the sport forward on all levels”, continued Sandberg. “The international community should understand the value of these events and be motivated to help raise funds, and organise venues; this is the basic floor, just as 50 years ago with Ping Pong Diplomacy.”

One player under the charge of Sandberg to make most of the opportunity afforded was Elias Ranefur. At the start of 2014 he wa s relatively unknown, as the year progressed, he made his presence felt. He qualified for the Nanjing Youth Olym-

Later he remained unbeaten in the junior boys’ team event at the European Youth Championships in Riva del Garda, Sweden finishing in third place; in the ensuing junior boys’ singles, he gained a most well merited silver.

Also, he won the junior boys’ singles event in Tunisia and qualified for the World Junior Circuit Finals in Asuncion, Paraguay; most recently he was the men’s singles runner up at the WTT Manchester 2024 Feeder tour-

“I think Elias took part in a total of 22 World Junior Circuit tournaments”,

added Sandberg. “He built up his experience and level of play; for both him and me the year 2014 was fantastic.”

Significantly, the experience gained yielded fruit in 2019. He won the prestigious Halmstad Masters, amongst others accounting for Mattias Falck, Anton Källberg and Truls Moregard. In 2020, Nisse sitting courtside, he retained the title, again overcoming Mattias Falck.

Elias Ranefur and Linda Bergström, likewise a member of Ängby, progressed to gain places in the national team, but they are not the only players of note that can be added to the illustrious Ängby registry.

Sweden’s Mikael Appelgren, David Gustafsson and a certain Jan-Ove Waldner have played for the club, as from foreign shores have China’s Chen Jian, India’s Sathiyan Gnanasekaran and Eric Boggan from the United States. Also, the names of Korea Republic’s Kim Taeksoo and Yoo Namkyu can be added to the list.

“Eric played as a 17-year-old in our team in the first league and reached the halfway point in the season without losing a match”, reminisced Nisse Sandberg. “His odd windshield style caused problems; in fact, there was a programme which featured his style on national television.”

Illustrious names from humble beginnings, Ängby Sportklubb started life on a very signifi-

cant date; leap year day, Wednesday 29th February 1956, Sandberg the initiator.

“We had a small group of boys around the area where we lived just outside Stockholm city; they needed something to do, football was easy”, explained Nisse Sandberg. “We found the local school’s gymnasium in evenings free from rent, we started there. I was always “the doer” in this group, I had a friend who had a table tennis table at home.”

Fulfilling his initial coaching role in foot ball, Sandberg gradually built the club. He worked with Brommapojkarna, an organi sation for boys born in 1948, at the time the most famous youth football team in Sweden. Also, he promoted Ängby, for boys born in 1946. Both teams re mained unbeaten in their age groups.

In 1960 the clubs merged to form a small table tennis group near to where Sandberg lived; realistically, it was from that year, from the very lo west level, the successful journey began.

Gradually, the club grew; in 1972 the Vällingby Hall was acquired. The main hall houses five tables for practice, two for team matches; in the basement there

LEFT

The 2018 Egypt Junior & Cadet Open in Sharm El Sheikh

RIGHT

In Amman at the 2018 Jordan Junior & Cadet Open

BELOW LEFT

An incredible year in 2014 for Elias Ranefur

BELOW RIGHT

Linda Bergström has progressed to become a most valued member of the Swedish national team

is room for nine tables. The basement is focused mainly on young players and the more mature who do not need a large space. There are extensive changing rooms, a cafeteria is run independently.

“We have one elite group and one “next-to-group” followed by a number of groups for kids”, explained Nisse Sandberg. “Also, not at a high level, we have a top women’s group and two groups of girls at different levels, we have the highest number of girls of any club in Sweden.”

True to Nisse’s innovative thinking, there is the “Smutt Group”, a rough translation being extremely likeable young children who respond quickly. Comprising virtual

beginners, the group was created in autumn 2018 for children born between 2006 and 2009; more recently, at the same time of year in 2021, the “Mini Smutt” group was formed for children born in 2009 and 2010.

“Martin Abramson and myself are in charge of the “Smutties”, we have a special programme for them in a “Super Smutt” atmosphere, the best possible education in table tennis and in behaviour”, explained Sandberg. “Having a nice time with nice kids being nice to everybody, building friendships everywhere is our aim; our goals are not specifically directed towards results; managing in this manner good results will come.”

Over the years the management principles have re-

mained constant, membership fees provide the main source of income; support from the city and the government contributes minor sums. Sponsors have been minimal; a wide range of fund-raising activities have been organised. Significantly, the cost of travel abroad falls on the shoulders of Sandberg.

“We regularly travel to play in tournaments on the Swedish Tour as well as in all the different championships we have in Sweden, individually and teams”, added Sandberg. “We also organise the Ängby International in November each year plus open tournaments and a number of local small ones.”

A thriving club masterminded by a player who was never amongst the elite, class 2 in Sweden just one place above the lowest level, but Nisse was good enough to win a men’s doubles event at an open tournament in Kemijärvi, Finland.

Professionally, he is a teacher of international economics. He attended the Stockholm School of Economics which he refers to as the “LBDUniversity” (learning by doing).

He was the Chief Executive Officer and board member of two listed oil companies, which he built from the start. Later they merged with u

TOP LEFT

Players and coaches in Korea Republic at the WTT Youth Contender Cheongyang 2023 tournament

TOP CENTRE

A reunion in Cheongyang with former club member Kim Taeksoo

TOP RIGHT

The “Smutt Group” for players born 2007-2009, Nisse Sandberg is seated alongside left Martin Abramson and right Marcus Eriksson

LOWER LEFT

Present at the WTT Youth Contender Bangkok 2023

LOWER CENTRE

On duty at the WTT Youth Contender Doha 2024.

CENTRE RIGHT

Celebrating success in January 2024 after beating Falkenbergs BTK in the Swedish League.

LOWER RIGHT

Further success in February 2024, victory in opposition to Söderhamn

the International Petroleum Corporation, today, known as Lundin Energy, one of the largest independent oil companies in Europe.

Nowadays, he is President of the Jordan Fund, a network of international investors. The link with Jordan dates back to November 1963 when following a meeting in the Basman Palace in Amman, King Hussein agreed to be the Honorary President of the Ängby club.

Later, King Hussein sent the Jordan table tennis team to the Ängby international tournament, both male and female players plus journalist, coach and Fawsi Ezzedeen, the Minister of Sport, as team leader.

“They brought a large number of presents; we had a nice banquet at the Reisen Hotel in the old city overlooking

the harbour”, recollected Nisse Sandberg. “I was told the King paid everything, he wanted to be a member of the group. Always we played in World Junior Circuit tournaments in Jordan and often spoke about the occasion. We count Jordan as our second home.”

Appropriately, it was in 1982 at a table tennis tournament in Seoul where Sandberg met his wife, Sally, her original name Kim Kyong-Soon, a lady with a distant claim to being a princess; her great grandfather was king of the Shilla dynasty, a dynasty that dates back well over a thousand years. They married in 1983 in Stockholm.

Notably, Sally had a major influence on his travels. In 2017 he was invited by Almazbek Atambaev, the President of Kyrgystan, to visit the country in the role of agricultural expert, nothing whatsoever to do with table

tennis, although Nisse did manage one visit the hall where players were practising. The task was to advise on achieving self-sufficiency, focused on growing vegetables.

“They were building a very large number of special greenhouses for year-round production through Korean technology”, explained Sandberg. “My wife’s brother was in charge of the project; he needed back up from Swedish expertise to have things accepted by the President.”

Sandberg was treated with high esteem; a police escort from and to the airport, a special dinner in his honour at which, having learnt some Russian when 17 years old, he delighted all with his linguistic skills.

November 1963

RIGHT

Now resident in Spånga, some 12 minutes from Stockholm City by train, Nisse and Sally have two sons named after members of Tim Boggan’s family, Nisse’s great friend. Tim was born in 1984, Erik in 1986; also, they have one grandson, Kevin, born in 2012.

Always, a major principle for Sandberg has been the value of sport to create friendship, harmony and understanding; those goals, without any doubt, he has achieved and continues to achieve.

It is somewhat ironic s somewhat ironic t 28th September 1939, earlier that month, World War Two broke out.

LEFT

Nisse with King Hussein at the Basman Palace in Amman on Friday 29th

Nisse and Sally in Kyrgyzstan in 2017

Open All Hours

Formed a century ago in a confectionary shop on the Pfarrplatz in Baden bei Wien, Lower Austria, the Badener Athletiksport Club (BAC) can lay just claim to being the oldest table tennis club in the world whose doors have never closed.

Remarkably, despite all the troubles and turmoil over the years, the club has remained open, welcoming novices and artisans alongside players of global stature.

At the inaugural meeting on Thursday 9th October 1924, Konrad Neidhardt was elected secretary, over the years he held every post imaginable: treasurer, advisor and more. He was the motivating force.

Following the end of World War Two, he became the first secretary of the Austrian Table Tennis Federation (ÖTTV). It is mainly thanks to his efforts and with the support of founder members Richard Fux, Hans Gläser, Dr Eugen

At the inaugural meeting on Thursday 9th October 1924, Konrad Neidhardt was elected secretary, over the years he held every post: imaginable, treasurer, advisor and more; he was the motivating force

Grabscheid and Karl Mach, alongside Hans Gläser, a Berliner, the first club manager, that the organisation survived the years of global conflict and entered the post war period without a break in activities.

In 1925, the club was accepted as a member of the Vienna Table Tennis Association, first taking part in the Vienna Championships in 1926, the year when this association was transformed to become the Austrian Table Tennis Association (ÖTTV), a founder member of the International Table Tennis Federation.

It was only after the formation of ITTF that BAC could

Andreas Meixner, President Badener AC, left and right recent member Mahdi Amadian u

compete on an international level. In 1928, a BAC women’s team competed in the Vienna Championships, a member of the team being Josefine Kolbe; at the 1930 World Championships she was a women’s singles and, with Etta Neumann, a women’s doubles bronze medallist.

Also, in 1930 the first Austrian national champion from BAC emerged, Erwin Kohn. He successfully defended the title in 1931, before winning again in 1934, the same year when Dr Eugen Grabscheid became ÖTTV President.

Kohn was a match for the best, notably recording a win over former world champion, Victor Barna; he made his

Also, in 1930 the first Austrian national champion from BAC emerged, Erwin Kohn. He successfully defended the title in 1931, before winning again in 1934, the same year when Dr Eugen Grabscheid became ÖTTV President

debut at the World Championships in 1930; in a four-year period he claimed one silver and six bronze medals, before in 1936 alongside Richard Bergmann, Helmut Goebel, Hans Hartinger and Alfred Liebster he was a member of the team that won the Swaythling Cup. Soon after in 1938, being of Jewish descent, he fled to England, then emigrated to Argentina.

Success on the international scene had an effect: table tennis was becoming ever more popular, and in 1933 BAC staged the World Championships and again in 1937, the

venue on both occasions the Trinkhalle, nowadays Casino Baden, the latter event witnessing a contest that was not finally resolved until 64 years later.

Trude Pritzi, who the previous year when 16 years old, had become the first player from BAC player to win the women’s singles national title, faced Ruth Aarons of the United States in the final. Neither was prepared to take a risk; after one-and three-quarter hours only two games had been completed. The Jury disqualified both players and declared the title vacant. Later in 2001, ITTF rescinded the decision and declared Ruth Aarons and Gertrude Pritzi joint champions.

A landmark tournament, additionally in 1937, a promising teenager arrived on the scene. Richard Bergmann become the first Austrian to win the men’s singles title at a World Championships; on Sunday 7th March, the day play concluded, he was 18 years and 331 days old, at the time the youngest to secure the title. One year later he was superseded by Bohumil Váňa, on Saturday 29th January, the closing date of the 1938 World Championships in London, he was 18 years and 12 days old. Bohumil Váňa remains to the present day, the youngest ever winner.

Less dramatic but important for BAC; on Thursday 20th May, BAC accounted for Gmunden to secure the men’s state team title.

Alas war clouds were looming, in 1938 Nazi Germany annexed Austria, arriving in Baden in March. Many clubs had to cease operations immediately as they also had Jews in their teams. Konrad Neidhardt became the Gaufachwart of Niederdonau, a post synonymous with that of regional sports director; Niederdonau being an administrative district created by the Nazis that existed from

1938 to 1945. Never a Nazi party member and using his diplomatic skills to the full, Neidhardt led the Austrian association and BAC through the turmoil and difficulties of World War Two.

Notably, in the 1939-1940 season only four table tennis clubs were active in Lower Austria, one being BAC. They succeeded in staging the Greater German Cham pionships, similar to the World Championships, the venue was the Trinkhalle. Josef Karlhofer was crowned all-German youth champion; former BAC members, Trude Pritzi and Otto Eckl com peted.

Times had changed dramatically, the effect of Nazi occupation meant the Lower Aus trian Championships were not staged. However, the Viennese Champion ships were held, in 1942 repre sented by Beyerl Hobik, Sima Seyk and Wessely, the BAC women’s team finished in second place.

Against the odds, despite the po litical situation, the club con tinued to function. On Sunday 2nd April 1944, the Trinkhalle staged the last major tourna ment before the end of World War Two, the so-called "Ost mark Championships". The following year, on Monday 25th March 1945, BAC played their last league match before peace ensued. Facing Enzes feld they led 4-2, but owing to

TOP LEFT

In 1933 Badener AC hosted the World Championships

TOP RIGHT

Richard Bergmann won the men’s singles title at the World Championships when only 18 years old

BELOW

Trude Pritzi, faced Ruth Aarons in the 1937 World Championships women’s singles final; after one-and threequarter hours only two games had been completed. The Jury disqualified both players and declared the title vacant

the air raid alarms sounding, the match had to be abandoned.

Conflict in Europe over, on Friday 15th June 1945, the club played its first post war team match, competing against Vienna. Starting from 1946, BAC once again competed in the Viennese championship, with club member Sepperl Kahrlhofer being one of Austria’s best

Friendly matches were held in Baden, and at Christmas 1946, matches on a similar basis were staged in Graz. Starting again with the 1948-1949 season, the Lower Austrian Team Championships returned. BAC enjoyed notable success: the club became the first Lower Austrian post war champions and cup winners. Soon after in 1950 a talented young player emerged, Robert Karall; he became one of the best players in Austria, by 1955 he was a regular member of the national

In 1962, BAC was recognized as one of the founder members of the state league, the club being accepted after the team comprising Robert Karall, Leo Schöberl and Alois Trumha achieved success in the promotion matches in Salzburg. Notably, one year later, another top player joined, Reinhard Engel. Together with Werner Zezula, several national titles were secured.

Later, in 1965, Germany’s Peter Held joined the club. In his very first year, with Reinhard Engel and Erwin Wagner completing the team, a runners up spot was achieved. The following season, the team finished in third position in both the state league and ETTU Cup; a great success. Soon after, in 1967, the club’s Herbert Schöberl became national schools’ champion; in 1972, national junior champion. Regrettably, the success was short-lived; in 1973, BAC voluntarily relegated to State League B, withdrawing in 1975 as both Reinhard Engel and Erwin Wagner were no longer available.

Conversely, in the same year, the women’s team progressed to State League A, the trio comprising Melitta Legenstein, Traude Mitter and Renate Brammen finishing in eight place. The following season with Sylvia Wachter joining the team, fifth position was achieved. Later in 1977-78, Monika Sandpeck was added to the line-up; playing alongside Melitta Legenstein, sixth place was the outcome. Progress continued the following season, Renate Dissauer included in the line-up, the team finished in fourth position.

However, the main progress was made away from the arena. In 1979 a sponsorship agreement was signed with Spielbanken AG, henceforth the club’s name being TT Casino Baden AC. Soon after, in 1980 a dedicated hall was built which afforded the club a permanent home. Meanwhile, in the women’s division, with Alexandra Leitgeb joining Renate Dissauer and Melitta Legenstein, the team gained runners up spot. However, owing to injuries and departures, the following year the team had to withdraw from National League A.

In 1983, the men’s team secured promotion to National League B after an eight year absence. Two years later, they returned to State League A. Notable names included Hungary’s Zoltan Horvath who lined up alongside promising young players Herbert Schöberl, Walter Klein and

In 1979 a sponsorship agreement was signed with Spielbanken AG, henceforth the club’s name being TT Casino Baden AC. Soon after, in 1980 a dedicated hall was built which afforded the club a permanent home

Martin Zillner. Later Peter Gockner, a player with a host of national titles to his credit, joined the club as did national team colleagues Martin Doppler and Thorsten Huber. Additionally, a further new member was Slovakia’s Tomas Janci, a player who was to rise to no.49 on the World rankings.This team proceeded to achieve fourth place in the 1993-1994 season: in the ensuing season, a solid fifth position.

The team’s major success was in 1994, when BAC became the first Austrian club to win a European title. They won the Europe Intertoto Cup, a performance that paid great credit to the efforts of Kurt Posiles, the club chairman; Tomas Janci, Martin Doppler, Martin Zillner and Thorsten Huberbeing were the principal team members.

Unfortunately, in 1995, Casinos Austria AG withdrew sponsorship and financial turbulence ensued, ultimately culminating in the withdrawal of the mens team from the state league A. In the same year, there was a change in club leadership: Alois Trumha took office and managed the club until 2005.

Despite financial restrictions, Herbert Schöberl and Walter Klein being the major players, the men's team maintained their strength for a decade in the regional league, never in any danger of relegation. During that period, BAC secured the men’s team title at the 19981999 regional championships, proving that passion and commitment can lead to remarkable successes even without major financial support.

Conversely, for the women, life was quieter; there was a joint venture between Casino Baden and Gumpoldskirchen, the team being formed by Elfi Reithofer and Sonja Stepan from BAC, alongside Edith Huber from Gumpoldskirchen. They competed in the Central Championships South, their best result being runners up. Creditably, at the Lower Austrian Championships, Elfi Reithofer won women’s singles bronze and women’s doubles silver alongside Edith Huber.

At the dawn of the millennium, more emphasis was placed on youth development, success soon followed. Marianne Schwaiger and Mateja Mijatovic established themselves amongst the country’s best young female players. In 2006, Mijatovich was runner-up in the mini cadet girls’ singles category. The pair became junior girls’ doubles champions in 2007; two years later, representing Lower Austria, they secured the under 15 girls’ doubles title. Further success in a range of events and age groups followed, Marianne Schwaiger represented Austria on several occasions at the European Youth Championships.

Later, with Claudia Faltinger and Aleksandra Kovac completing the line-up, the team finished in 11th place in the second division of the State League, and eventually with players such as Hungarian Orsi Körmendi and former Austrian national player Silvana Winkler joining the team, third position was achieved in the season 2011-2012. It was to be the last season for Winkler, the following year 10th place was the outcome. Since then, the line up has been ever-changing. In the 2019-2020 season, the club joined the newly formed women's national league first division; it is where the team plays to the present day. Currently the squad comprises Daniela Petrekova, Lucia Östergaard, Lara Taborsky, Valerie Glatthard and former top Israeli player, Nicole Trosman.

Likewise for the men, young players arrived on the scene, notably David Serdaroglu. Alongside Josef Hafiz, Thomas

TOP LEFT

The hall prior to renovation

LOWER LEFT

After renovation

SECOND LEFT

Eric Glod, member of the 2023-2024 men’s team

THIRD LEFT

Awards for distinguished members at the celebration dinner left to right Erwin Meixner, Margit Haas, Andreas Meixner, Elfi Reithofer, Renate Brammen and Herbert Schöberl

RIGHT

Werner Schlager, a welcome guest

Berger and veteran Johann Rottensteiner the team competed in the second division of the national league.

Significantly, in 2012 the Levenko family came to Baden: father Dmitrij and 14-year-old son Andreas. Alongside Jörg Pichler, they claimed fourth position. Major success followed came in 2014 when Kazakhstan’s Kirill Gerassimenko joined the squad. They won the second division and thus gained progress to the first division for the

In the 2019-2020 season, the club joined the newly formed women's national league first division; it is where the team plays to the present day

2015-2016 season, strengthened by Bulgaria’s Stanislav Golovanov; the team achieved a top four result.

Changes followed: in addition to Kazakhstan’s Aidos Kenzhigulov, Luxembourg’s Eric Glod joined the club alongside promising young Austrians Alex Chen and Narayan Kapolnek. Following the departure of Andreas Levenko, the team was relegated from the top division, immediately returning the following season. Hungary’s Patrik Juhasz, Iran’s Amin Ahmadian and Narayan Kapolnek formed the backbone of the team.

Top division status has been maintained since 2020, where the local teenager, 18-year-old Marc Sagawe has been introduced to the team; alongside Amin Ahmadian, Eric Glod, Patrik Juhasz and Dastan Kenzhigulov, in the 2022-2023 season third place was the outcome.

Notable landmarks, on Wednesday 9th October 2024 there was one more, a celebration dinner was held at the Casino in Baden over 300 guests attended.

Spanning the Eras

by Diane Webb

Atable tennis set a prized Christmas present for a 12-year-old, it led to him becoming England no.1, a world ranking of no.13, and travelling the globe.

Most significant is that he succeeded internationally in two distinct eras. Similar to everyone in the early 1950s, he used a pimpled rubber bat, defensive play being his forte. Following the gradual introduction of sponge and the so-called “sandwich racket”, he adapted, successfully he turned his attention to developing attacking skills.

Ian Harrison is one of the very few who successfully transferred to the new medium.

However, the very start of his career was not auspicious; at school he was beaten by a fellow pupil. Determined to seek revenge, Ian went home, practised and practised; two months later he joined the Montpellier Club in Cheltenham, by the start of the 1952 season he was in the Cheltenham junior boys’ team and won the local junior boys’ singles at the end of the season.

Ian’s rise was meteoric, his continued progress led to a place in the Cheltenham senior team the following season and one year later he earned his first England junior cap, a match against Wales on Tuesday 15th February 1955 in Worthing. The team of Ian, Tony Cornell, Terry Densham, and Laurie Landry won 9-1. Ian won both his singles and the doubles with Cornell.

Ian gained his first England senior cap on Tuesday 28th February 1956; facing France in his hometown of Cheltenham

Another season and progress continued. Ian gained his first England senior cap on Tuesday 28th February 1956; facing France in his hometown of Cheltenham, it was a successful outcome, England won 7-2, a hat-trick of wins for the young Gloucestershire player. u

The English Open in 1960, proudly holding the men’s singles and mixed doubles trophies.

BELOW

Wales versus England in Aberdare on Friday 16th March 1956

Standing behind the Welsh team, alongside local dignitaries, back row left to right Tommy Sears (non playing captain), Keith Tarling, John Collins, George Gladwish and Ian Harrison

Immediately following, Ian was on duty at the English Open held in Manchester from Monday 27th February to Friday 2nd March. Ian came away with two junior titles, he beat Laurie Landry in the final of the junior boys’ singles and with Kevin Edwards overcame Landry and Keith Tarling in the junior boys’ doubles final.

Three medals for Cheltenham, like Ian, both Edwards and Tarling hailed from the town.

Additionally, there was a third medal in the junior mixed doubles, Ian reached the semifinal with Mikki McKeekin.

A busy schedule, just two weeks later, Friday 16th March, a further junior international and another win against Wales, this time in Aberdare, 8-2 in favour of England. Ian won two singles matches and with Keith Tarling the doubles. John Collins and George Gladwish comprised the rest of the team; notable success for a player just 16 years old.

Ian was certainly in the right place at the right time. He was born in Tunbridge Wells in 1939 but moved to Cheltenham with his mother when war broke out and stayed there until he was 21 years old. At the time the Cheltenham area was a hotbed of table tennis talent.

Top juniors Keith Tarling, Kevin Edwards and David Griffiths vied for places, at senior level there was Bob Griffin, Peter Cruwys; all represented Cheltenham, Bryan Merrett and Roy

Ian was certainly in the right place at the right time. He was born in Tunbridge Wells in 1939 but moved to Cheltenham with his mother when war broke out. He stayed there until he was 21 years old.

Morley travelling from nearby Gloucester.

Plenty of strong competition and good practice at the Spa Club; so many top players it was perhaps not surprising that Ian played for his country before his county. Later, in order to practise with Merrett and Morley, Ian travelled to Gloucester, representing Gloucester they won the Wilmott Cup three times, the most prestigious English team trophy at the time, The high-level local practice served Ian well, resulting in 1957 being selected for the Swaythling Cup team at the World Championships in Stockholm.

He lined up alongside Richard Bergmann, Johnny Leach, Brian Kennedy and Alan Rhodes. Quite a daunting prospect for a 17year-old to play in a team that included legendary names in the world of sport. Ian conducted himself well, he won four of his six matches in the team event and reached the round of 16 in the men’s doubles with Brian Kennedy.

The future, very much in the selectors’ mind, the next port of call was Moscow, Ian was selected as a member of the team for the III International Friendly Youth Games, part of the VI World Festival of Youth. Play started on Sunday 28th July concluding on Sunday 11th August, 34,000 sportsmen and women from 131 countries took part.

At the time budgets were limited; travel was by boat and train taking several days; alongside Ian, the team comprised Yvonne Baker, Ken Craigie, Eddie Hodson, Ivor Jones, Brian Kennedy, Laurie Landry, Johnny Leach and Bryan Merrett. Additionally, Bill Vint, Chairman of the English Table Tennis Association, attended.

There were very few foreigners visiting the Soviet Union this time, Ian succinctly summed up matters “the only visitors were spies or diplomats”.

On the way home It was quite an eventful journey. The team returned with the British Water Polo team who had paid to travel first class. Reaching the border, still in communist

Europe, there were no first-class railway carriages, communism rife, equality the key word.

The water polo players refused to travel in the basic carriages which were on offer, insisting they had paid for first class. The table tennis team stayed close to them. There was an impasse, the carriage in which they were situated was shunted into a siding, they remained isolated for three days. Food was passed through the carriage windows.

There was an impasse, the carriage in which they were situated was shunted into a siding, they remained isolated for three days

Eventually, a carriage was added to a train taking them westwards but there was a great deal of curiosity and hostility from other passengers. Some wanted to look and see what the upgraded carriage was like, others objected to the higher status for the foreigners. In the end they had to be barricaded in but eventually arrived home safely.

Junior days now history, Ian became a mainstay of the England team for the next 13 years, gaining 178 caps; by the end of the 1956-57 season, he was England’s no.1 and stayed there for the next seven years. Ian was a regular at domestic open tournaments, winning over 100 men’s singles titles. u

LEFT Standing alongside a local official left to right the 1964 Wilmott Cup winners, Ian Harrison, Roy Morley and Bryan Merrett

However, during that period it was on the international stage that Ian made his mark. He played in the first European Championships in 1958 in Budapest. Lining up alongside Brian Kennedy, Bryan Merrett and Alan Rhodes, fifth place in the men’s team event was the outcome, Ian winning eight of his 12 matches.

European Championships and World Championships held in alternate years, in Dortmund, in March 1959, Ian made his second appearance at a World Championships, he excelled, his career best performance. In the Swaythling Cup he won 11 of his 15 matches, England recording seven wins and two defeats. Jeff Ingber, Brian Kennedy, Johnny Leach and Michael Thornhill completing the team, ninth place was the outcome.

One year later in 1960 bronze was the outcome in the men’s team event at the European Championships in Zagreb, Derek Burridge and Bryan Merrett completing the team.

Halcyon days for Ian; additionally in 1960, he won the men’s singles title at the English Open in March. Staged in London’s Royal Albert Hall, he beat Hungarian refugee, Joseph Somogyi, in the final. Also, he won the mixed doubles with Diane Rowe, reached the men’s doubles semi-final with Jeff Ingber.

Later in the year, in September, at the second English National Closed, Ian won the men’s singles title overcoming

One year later in 1960 bronze was the outcome in the men’s team event at the European Championships in Zagreb, Derek Burridge and Bryan Merrett completing the team

Alan Lindsay in the final. Furthermore, he won the men’s doubles in harness with Bryan Merrett, the player against whom he had experienced defeat in the men’s singles final at the inaugural English Closed earlier in the year in January. On that occasion, two silver medals was his lot, partnering Yvonne Baker the duo reached the mixed doubles final losing to Johnny Leach and Diane Rowe.

A stellar year resulted in Ian receiving the Victor Barna Award for the best performance by an England player. To this date, Ian is the only English born player to hold both the English Open and Closed titles at the same time.

So far, travel had remained within Europe, but the trip of a lifetime came when he was selected to play in the World Championships in Beijing in April 1961. Owing to cost, team numbers were limited. Jeff Ingber and Bryan Merrett completed the men’s team, Jean Harrower and Diane Rowe formed the women’s contingent. Travel was via the Soviet Union with refuelling stops on the way.

It was the first time any World Championships in any sport had been played in China. The country had been closed to foreign visitors for many years; furthermore, it wasn’t long before the borders were again closed and

TOP

The bronze medal winning team at the 1960 European Championships left to right Ron Crayden (non playing captain), Ian Harrison, Derek Burridge and Roy Morley

CENTRE LEFT

Instantaneous applause greeted members of the England team when visiting the Great Wall of China in 1961

CENTRE RIGHT Mariestads BoIS club in 1963

Back row: left to right Björn Berggren, Stig Johansson and Arne Norlander, former players and leaders at the club Mariestads BoIS

Font row: left to right Björn Neidert, who played for Sweden and married to Marita Neidert, Hans Alser and Ian Harrison.

BELOW

In 1965 Gérard Chergui left and right Ian Harrison played a series of matches during breaks in play when the Harlem Globetrotters toured Europe

not reopened until the renowned Ping Pong Diplomacy of 1971. Ian was the star of the men’s team winning 17 from 21 matches, including a stunning win against Japan’s World champion, Ichiro Ogimura. England just missed out on a medal, finishing second in their group and fourth overall.

An experience of a lifetime; the arena was huge, seating 12,000 spectators, each day there were three sessions and, each session, filled to capacity. Meanwhile, there was time for sight seeing; on the Great Wall players were greeted with a spontaneous outburst of applause as they walked along the famous path. A significant factor was that everyone wore the same style of clothing, either dark blue or khaki. The only difference seemed to be in the quality of material for those with a higher status.

At the same time the summer months of 1960 and 1961 saw Ian passing on his knowledge and experience as a coach at Butlin’s Holiday Camp in Clacton. An enjoyable time and one which benefitted many youngsters.

Also, in October 1961 there was a second visit to the Soviet Union, captained by Len Adams. Ian joined forces with Jeff Ingber and Stan Jacobson. They were supposed to play three internationals but on arrival, they found the itinerary had been changed to one international plus three tournaments. The players were not impressed; the only international was played the day after arrival, the Soviet Union won 7-2. Tournaments followed in Moscow, St Petersburg and Vilnius.

Partnering Jeff Ingber in men’s doubles events, in Moscow for Ian it was runners up spot in both the men’s singles and men’s doubles, in St Petersburg men’s singles bronze, men’s doubles gold, in Vilnius in both disciplines the title. On the journey home the team stopped in Warsaw for a match against Poland, England won 5-4, thus finishing the tour on a high note.

Motivated, keen to progress, in October 1963 Ian departed English shores to play in Sweden. He joined Hans Alser at the Mariestads BoIS club. At the time Sweden was the top nation in Europe, third in the world behind China and Japan. They had achieved this by accepting the change to sponge, at a time banned in England; they even produced their own rubbers. Notably, Ichiro Ogimura was the national coach; he made a big difference. Everything was based around a club, no dingy and dark halls, all clubs had modern premises with central heating and showers.

Two years later in 1965, Ian took over from Richard Bergmann for a summer season with the Harlem Globetrotters. It was a 13-week tour of Europe and the Near East visiting 14 countries and covering 40,000 miles, mostly by coach but on one occasion the itinerary required 15 flights in a week.

Ian met Richard Bergmann at Waterloo Station, London. Richard proceeded to take out from two bags a special table that was in quarters; it was erected in the middle of the concourse during rush hour. After being shown how to set the table up, Ian travelled to Federal Germany for u

Ian proved a worthy adversary wherever he competed, not only beating Ichiro Ogimura, also overcoming three times men’s singles World Champion, China’s Zhuang Zedong.

the first exhibition match which took place during the interval of the Globetrotters match. It wasn’t a success as Ian and Frenchman Gérard Chergui played it straight and not as an entertaining exhibition.

A phone call from the Globetrotters had Richard make a quick dash to Germany and showed the pair how to make it an entertaining exhibition lobbing the ball and then playing the last few points competitively.

Success followed, despite difficulties. On one occasion, in front of over 40,000 spectators, they had to play in the middle of a football field in wet and windy weather, it was an art just to keep the ball on the table.

Soon after the English Closed in 1968, where at semi-final stage of the men’s singles Ian recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat Chester Barnes, before in the final by the narrowest of five game margins losing to Denis Neale, Ian announced his retirement.

He was working full time as a buyer for the Simpsons company, other players were full time, Ian could not maintain the standard needed against the top names. An opportunity to tour New Zealand arose but Ian had to make a choice, work or table tennis. The decision made was to concentrate on his career and so one of England’s best ever players departed the sport.

Altogether Ian played in six World Championships, six Eu-

ropean Championships, and six Quadrangular tournaments. He represented England in the first European League season and played international matches against China, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, West Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Yugoslavia and Wales.

At the English Open he won the two gold medals, two silver and four bronze plus two gold and one bronze at junior level. Ian proved a worthy adversary wherever he competed, not only beating Ichiro Ogimura, also overcoming three times men’s singles World Champion, China’s Zhuang Zedong.

In 2022 Ian was made a Vice-President of Table Tennis England.

LEFT

Commencing in 1965 Chester Barnes left and right Ian Harrison won the men’s doubles at English Closed on four consecutive occasions

Ian rated Chester as his favourite partner

LEFT

A popular coach at the Butlin’s holiday camp in Clacton

RIGHT

Ian Harrison, looking well in 2024

Lifetime Achiever

Spreading the word in a manner that demonstrates a true passion for sport; such has been the achievement of Manuel Muriel for well over four decades, an octogenarian, the appetite to press the keys on the laptop computer remains as strong as when it was a clanking typewriter

Born and bred in Seville, the city where he still resides, in 1980 Manuel Muriel became the chief press officer for the Spanish Table Tennis Federation (RFETM).

Later from 1991 to 2006, he assumed overall responsibility for “Table Tennis”, the national federation’s official magazine, the job description of editor being only one aspect of his role. Generously, he donated his own collection of the magazine to the Biblioteca Nacional de Espańa, the national library of Spain.

An era of change as electronic messaging transformed the face of the media world, the fax machine being replaced by e-mail, from 2006 to 2008 Muriel became Head of Communication for RFETM. A two-year stint completed, he focused attention on his home city, reporting on table tennis activities in Seville.

“From 2011 to the present day I have organised on Facebook “Table Tennis from Seville”, my son, David, 37 years old, an active player, collaborates effectively on the page, in jecting modernity”, explained Muriel. “It has proved a great success, some months witnessing over 2,500 visitors; I think in the 13 years since the page was opened, I have interviewed 356 players and offi cials involved in international table ten nis.

A member of the national association of sports journalists, Muriel has pro duced articles on table tennis events of the very highest level. Notably, staged in Barcelona, he reported on the 1991 Men’s World Team Cup, the 1992 Olympic Games and 2007 Men’s World Cup. Additionally, he wrote articles focused on the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Deservedly, resulting from his efforts, in 1994 he received an FETM merit award and in 2022 a “Lifetime Achiever” award from Seville City Council, the only occasion when table tennis has received such recognition.

“I’m intrigued with the evolution of table tennis, match analysis, technical details and collecting as much information as possible”, explained Muriel. “I write about 40 articles per year on table tennis, sometimes I have written about swimming, water

FACING

At home with his books in Seville

BELOW

Receiving the “Lifetime Achiever” award in 2022 from Seville City Council

polo and weightlifting but table tennis has always been my priority.”

A supporter of Real Betis Football Club, journalism has become his work in more senior years but for any young person considering such a career, Muriel has words of caution.

“Study a parallel career, journalism is currently very poorly paid and at times there may be no work”, stressed Muriel. “If you can't work, you can’t live!”

The recommendation follows the career of Muriel, he has a bachelor’s degree in economics, he worked for the Banco de Bilbao for 28

It has proved a great success, some months witnessing over 2,500 visitors; I think in the 13 years since the page was opened, I have interviewed 356 players and officials involved in international table tennis

years, retiring from office in 1985. A long career but short when compared with his interest in table tennis, it is now approaching 60 years since he first picked up a precious racket.

“I first played in 1955 at a local sports’ federation; in 1957 I joined the Seville Swimming Club and alongside table tennis I played soccer, water polo, weightlifting, basketball and judo, as well as taking part in long distance swimming”, explained Muriel. “Also, I was a member of the Seville Mercantile Circle for 25 years, a multi sport organisation, as well as at various times being a member of Club Tenis de Mesa Seville and the Hispalis Seville Club.”

Table tennis the priority, he became the Andalusia men’s singles champion in 1960, playing in the first division of the Spanish League during the season 1960-1961; later, as a veteran, he won several local titles, notably in 2006 being the runner up in the men’s singles 65 years and over category at the Spanish National Veteran Championships.

Additional to playing; Muriel, who names Deng Yaping, Ma u

I started in the 1960s with a group of friends in the parish of Gines, a town in the metropolitan area of Seville where I lived for some years. We formed a team; later I qualified as a Level Two national coach and coached players at the Banco Bilbao where we had a team in the second national division

Long and Jan-Ove Waldner as his favourite players, possesses extensive coaching talents.

“I started in the 1960s with a group of friends in the parish of Gines, a town in the metropolitan area of Seville where I lived for some years”, reminisced Muriel. “We formed a team; later I qualified as a Level Two national coach and coached players at the Banco Bilbao where we had a team in the second national division.”

Progressing up the coaching ladder, in 1986 he gained level three status. Meanwhile, under the guidance of

Peter Gardos and Ladislav Stipek, he studied at the Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF), a national centre for sports science in Madrid. Eventually, for a period of 15 years, he assumed the role a zonal coach for FETM, advising developing teams.

Active on the coaching scene, it was the same in officialdom. Muriel was the Spanish delegate at the 1988 European Championships in Paris and at the 1989 World Championships in Dortmund. In 1999 he became secretary of the national technical committee on a temporary basis. Significantly, having invaluable knowledge, on sev-

eral occasions he fulfilled the role of colour commentator for television companies TVE and TV Canal Sur.

Throughout he has been supported by his family; married to Cello, he has three sons. The eldest is Carmen, a university graduate in public relations and advertising, currently working in the Andalucia region and the Canary Islands. Next in order of age is Fabio, he has a degree in Information Sciences. David, the youngest, who assists with the Facebook page, is studying

computer technology, Carmen only played table tennis for a short while but both Fabio and David enjoyed national success.

A most comprehensive career and now surely at 81 years of age it is now time to consider retirement?

“I don't contemplate it, those of us who love this profession die writing”, responded Muriel.

In good health, there are many years to come.

FACING

Celebrating 50 years of marriage. at the Alfonso XII hotel in Seville

ABOVE

A family gathering, left to right David, Manuel, wife Chelo with granddaughter Noa in her arms; eldest daughter,

Carmen and Fabio

Clean Sweep in Gaborone

Afull house of titles, Egypt’s Mariam Younes will never forget the 2024 African Youth Championships staged from Monday 15th to Sunday 21st July in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana.

Competing in the under 19 age group, she departed the city, known for its extensive game reserves, with a full house of possible titles.

Alongside Habiba El-Basoumy, Jana Saad and Nour Zaki, she led Egypt to the

FACING

A full house of four titles for Mariam Younes in Gaborone

BELOW

The Younes family left to right Soadd (mother), Ibrahem (father), Mohamed (brother), Marwa, Menna (sister), Malek (nephew)

top step of the podium in the girls’ team event before partnering compatriot, Omar Ehab, to mixed doubles success. Two titles secured, she joined forces with Habiba El-Basoumy to win the girls’ doubles prior to concluding proceedings, the girls’ singles winner.

The highest ranked female player on duty, it was very much national pride maintained. In recent years, on the African continent, Egypt has very much become the most prominent force on the women’s scene; this year

Most certainly their results have encouraged me and given me a step forward, They have shown what can be achieved

both Dina Meshref and Hana Goda have commanded a top 30 world ranking; Mariam Alhodaby within the top 70. It is their example Mariam Younes followed in Gaborone.

“Most certainly their results have encouraged me and given me a step forward”, said Mariam Younes. “They have shown what can be achieved.”

Furthermore, it was mission accomplished, Mariam Younes was the leading name on duty, the favourite for gold, the player on whose shoulders high expectations weighed.

“I was hoping I could win the girls’ singles and win gold in every event, and I did it!”, reflected Mariam Younes. “The toughest match was in the girls’ singles final against my colleague Habiba El- Bassomy, she’s a very good player.”

Family celebrations when returning home; however, Mariam Younes has her feet firmly on the floor. She is well aware that success at junior level is stepping stone.

“Of course, it’s important winning but it’s just the beginning, the best

Of course, it’s important winning but it’s just the beginning, the best is yet to come in women's competitions

is yet to come in women's competitions”, stressed Mariam Younes. “There are some small things I need to improve but I learnt that anything can happen and that nothing is too difficult; it was a good experience, a good city to visit, everyone was very kind.”

A splendid attitude, one which has no doubt been realised thanks to family support, the 2018 Arab Championships marking her international debut.

“I played volleyball, my father suggested I try table tennis, I liked it; I started playing at the Al-Ittihad Club, I was five years old when I played for the first time”, added Mariam Younes. “My parents encouraged me; currently I practise four hours each day, my education is all online so I can balance studying and playing sport.”

Notably, like Dina Meshref, Mariam Younes remains loyal to her Muslim faith, she wears the Hajib.

“Yes, it is the best decision I’ve ever made, it makes me feel more comfortable”, stressed Mariam Younes. “It doesn’t restrict me at all when I’m playing.”

Success at junior level, Mariam being extremely grateful to the coaches and members of the family who have supported her; now she is looking ahead with clear goals.

“Winning the women’s singles title at the African Championships and qualifying for the Olympic Games are my goals”, concluded Mariam Younes.

Ambitious but could the success in Gaborone be a major milestone; nothing proved too difficult.

Profile

Date of Birth: 28th October 2006

Residence: Alexandria

Family: parents Ibrahim and Souad, brother Mohammed, sister Menna

School: El Montaza

Table Tennis Club: El Zamalek

Coaches: Khaled Saleh, Kareem Ramadan, Mohamed El Sayed

Racket Blade: Butterfly ALC

Forehand Rubber: Butterfly Tenergy 05

Backhand Rubber: Hallmark

Playing Strength: maintaining a balance between attack and defence

What interests do you follow when not playing table tennis? visit the gymnasium

Favourite school subject: geography

Scotland’s Steve Morley and Austria’s Agnes Jan represented the ITTF Foundation at the ITTF World Masters staged in Rome from Saturday 6th to Sunday 14th July.

A totally new initiative, the aim being to promote “Diversity and Inclusion” within the global table tennis community, aligning with the ITTF Group focus for 2024 and 2025. Also, the concept targeted the United Nation’s Sustainable Development programme, particularly the goal that focuses on good health and well-being.

The players were chosen through a raffle at the 2023 World Parkinson’s Table Tennis Championships in Greece. Both have been living with Parkinson’s and have combated its symptoms for years through table tennis.

Steve Morley was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2018, Agnes Jan one year later in 2019; table tennis has transformed their lives; Steve returned to the sport in 2021 after a 40-year break, Agnes started to play in 2023.

Agnes Jan

TOP LEFT

Agnes Jan

TOP RIGHT

Steve Morley

LOWER RIGHT

Before 2023 did you ever play table tennis?

When I was a kid of about eight years old, my father built a table tennis table for the family, I have six siblings, three brothers and three sisters. My younger brother and I often played table tennis for hours, but we never learnt correct techniques.

The older we became the less we had time to play together. Later when I was married my brother joined the table tennis club, which my husband had established 44 years ago in our village.

At this time, I had other hobbies, like painting, singing, hiking, cycling, swimming.

When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, my doctor told me table tennis would be good to slow down the progression of the disease.

So, in January 2023 I also joined the club, I trained twice a week with a coach to learn good techniques.

I’m much happier and more balanced in everyday life. I look forward to meeting people again. My medication has stayed the same for over a year. I have not needed to increase the dose. At the moment it looks like the progress of the disease is slower.

What do you enjoy the most about playing table tennis?

After diagnosis, I withdraw from social life, table tennis has brought back the joy of life and the social life. I have goals that I am working towards, for example such events as the World Masters Championships, ITTF World Parkinson’s Championships, German Open, Scottish Open and Church Mountain Open.

Agnes with husband Dietmar u

What physical improvements have you made since starting to play table tennis? I move better even on days without training.

I have met so many nice people at the tournaments from many countries around the world. It’s like a second family. Now I’m taking part in different tournaments to meet this family again. We never used to travel so much, but now we are on the road almost every month.

Since 2023 have you tried any other sports?

I’ve always liked to move since childhood; beside playing table tennis I love walking, hiking, swimming, cycling, jogging but not in a club.

Each week how often do you play table tennis?

At the moment I play nearly every day but at least four days and eight hours a week. Twice a week I train with a coach and other good

players in our club for about two hours, Mondays and Thursdays.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, I play with other people who have Parkinson’s also for about two hours. Now we are a group of six people. My husband and I established this group in our club.

Other days I practise services at home and play for team in local competitions.

What is the name of your coach?

My coach is Arnold Barounig and he’s 76 years old. He is the best coach I could wish for.

He tries to get the best out of me, and I do my very best because I don’t want to lose because I haven’t trained enough.

What did you enjoy the most about the 2023 World Parkinson’s Championships?

I enjoyed the most that it was so well organised in a fantastically beautiful place. I felt like a top athlete. The highlight was that I won the raffle ticket to the World Masters in Rome.

What did you enjoy the most about the 2024 World Masters?

I was so proud to be part of such a big event. I really enjoyed the matches with very good players, winning some points, games and even a match.

The most I enjoyed was the gala dinner in a stunning venue and to be introduced to personalities like Princess Zeina, the ITTF President Petra Sörling, the ITTF Foundation Director Leandro Olvech and Claude Bergeret, the mixed doubles winner at the 1977 World Championships and Swaythling Club International President.

What advice would you give to anyone diagnosed with Parkinson’s?

Never give up, try to find a sport that you enjoy, that might be table tennis, with table tennis you practise reaction time, reflexes, speed, you exercise the mind, improve concentration.

Practice regularly and it will help you in everyday life.

Whose support do you appreciate the most?

I must thank the Swaythling Club for the great kit we received for the World Masters.

Also, my thanks to the ITTF Foundation for organising events for people with Parkinson’s. It’s a chance to raise awareness of Parkinson’s and the benefits of table tennis for Parkinson’s.

I thank my family for supporting me to play table tennis and to participate in table tennis tournaments which are costly.

However, since table tennis has become the centre of my life my family is more relaxed, my disease is no longer the focus.

Steve Morley

Before 2018 when and where did you play table tennis and to what level?

I played at both the Air Cadets and Scouts as a teenager in the 1970s. It was really just a social activity at the end of a parade night, although I do vaguely remember playing in a local tournament.

From which town do you originate?

I was born in East Yorkshire in Driffield in 1961 and lived in Foston on the Wolds for a couple of years before we moved to Hornsea in 1964. I attended Hornsea Primary School from 1966 to 1973, Hornsea School from 1973 to1980.

Looking back, Hornsea was a fantastic place to grow up even if it was in a council house on “the estate” as our little corner of the relatively well off town was referred to. Back then council estates were populated mostly by working class families in relatively low paid jobs, my dad was a nurse at Brandesburton Hospital and my mum did a variety of cleaning jobs.

Did you play in the Hull and East Riding Table Tennis League?

No, never; until I was diagnosed with Parkinson's and read the research suggesting that playing table tennis could slow the symptoms, it would not have crossed my mind to take up table tennis!

I really wish I had taken it up earlier in which case I might have played in a league.

Where do you play at the present time?

I attend the Several Parkinson's specific sessions at South Ayrshire TTC, Dunlop TTC and Drumchapel TTC. Also, I play at regular clubs: Irvine TTC, North Ayrshire TTC.

Additionally, I play when on holiday, in particular at Ryehill TTC, when I am visiting family in East Yorkshire; Also, I have played when on holiday Majorca and on the Costa Blanca, I play at Alcudia TTC and Altea TTC.

Our hotel in Alcudia had a table tennis table albeit somewhat past it’s best and in a precarious location near a pool! However, it was still fine for an impromptu training session with Elaina, my partner, one afternoon.

Can you identify how playing table tennis helps you physically and mentally?

Table tennis definitely improves my general mobility. My partner Elaina even says that if I don't play for a few

days, it is noticeable how I slow down! I have also made so many good friends through playing with various clubs and competing in both Parkinson's and regular tournaments.

For me, table tennis is ideal because of the hand-eye co-ordination and reactions. Sometimes when you get behind the table, you go on autopilot. You move better at a table tennis table because psychologically, you know you’ve got to play and make efforts to get to the ball. It’s been great.

What did you enjoy the most about playing in Parkinson’s tournaments?

The camaraderie between players knowing that we are all in the same boat but at the

ABOVE

Wearing the cross of Scotland but Steve Morley is a born and bred Yorkshireman

same time doing our best to forget about the obvious thing that links us and replacing it with table tennis!

What did you enjoy the most about the World Masters?

The challenge of playing some seriously good ablebodied players and showing that while I didn't win any matches I was able to demonstrate that players with Parkinson's can compete in such tournaments.

What advice would you give to anyone diagnosed with Parkinson’s?

Even if you're not an active person take up an exercise activity that you enjoy. And never ever give up!

My thanks to everyone who has supported me.

Poh Li San Elected Unopposed

Unopposed, Ms Poh Li San was elected President of the Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA) for a second term of office at the Annual General Meeting held on Monday 16th September at the Singapore Sports Auditorium.

Additionally, the Management Committee witnessed nine members returned unopposed for the period 2024 to 2026 and five new members elected: Bay Swee Huat PBM, Tan Yan Boon PBM, Liang Fook Sang, Eva Grace Ong and former national player, Pearlyn Koh.

The election of Eva Grace Ong and Pearlyn Koh means

there are now three women among the 14 members. Poh has stated she aims to enhance gender diversity and hopes that more women will gradually take on roles in the STTA Management Committee over time.

During her first term leading the association as President, Poh's achievements included overseeing the qualification of home-grown players Izaac Quek and Zhou Jingyi, as well as Zeng Jian for the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking a significant milestone for Singapore's table tennis community.

Also, Singapore reclaimed top spot in Southeast Asia at

Moving forward, we will continue to focus on nurturing young talents, enhancing our competitive edge, and fostering a strong sense of community among players and supporters

the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, with four golds, two silver and three bronze.

“I am deeply honoured and grateful for the continued trust and support from the STTA community,” added Poh. “Our achievements over the past term have been a collective effort, and

I am excited to build on this foundation. Moving forward, we will continue to focus on nurturing young talents, enhancing our competitive edge, and fostering a strong sense of community among players and supporters.”

The STTA is in safe hands.

left to right

Eldwin Wong PBM, Toh Ern Chong, Ho Kok Khun PBM, Tang Mun Fai

Dr Ernest Kan JP, PBM

Alvin Toh, Eva Grace Ong, Poh Li San Soon Min Sin PBM, Tan Yan Boon PBM, Bay Swee Huat PBM, Goh Miao Guang, Liang Fook Sang.

Not in picture: Ms Pearlyn Koh

S, MA L MÖ 12t

OUT H CH AMPIONSHIP

CHAMPIONS

TOP LEFT

Darius Movileanu (ROU), junior boys’ singles

TOP RIGHT

Bianca Mei Rosu (ROU), junior girls’ singles

LEFT

Patryk Zyworonek (POL), cadet boys’ singles

RIGHT

Hanka Kodetova (CZE) retained her cadet girls’ singles title, in 2023 she won in Gliwice

EURO MINI CH AMPIONSHIP S, SCHIL TIGHEIM

GOLD & SILVER

TOP ROW left to right

Boys’ Singles 2011 Gold

David Toro (ROU)

Silver Noah Tessier (FRA)

Girls’ Singles 2011 Gold

Mona Shintani (JPN)

Silver Eva Lam (FRA)

BOTTOM ROW left to right

Boys’ Singles 2013 Gold

Silver Pietro Campagne (ITA)

Girls’ Singles 2013

Gold

Enya Hu (SUI)

Silver

Louise Lounas (FRA)

Ladimir Mayorov (ESP)

PHOTOS: MIKE LOVEDER

100 YEARS

The 2024 Auckland Centenary Open was held from 23rd to 25th August. Later the Centenary Dinner was staged on 31st August

At a meeting on Monday 18th August 1924 at the Auckland Table Tennis Association (ATTA) was formed. The first Annual General Meeting was held on Monday 25th August.

TOP ROW

Auckland Open left to right

Men’s Singles

Winner: Jet Lin

Runner Up: Dean Shu

Women’s Singles

Winner: Carrie Guo

Runner Up: Jocelyn Lam

BELOW

Centenary Dinner left to right

Alan Tomlinson, New Zealand’s leading player in the 1960s and 1970

Shane Warbrooke, ATTA Chief Executive Officer

Dignitaries: Bruce Penberthy (ATTA President), the Honourable David Seymour, Izania Downie (Chief Executive Officer, Table Tennis New Zealand), Bob Inns (ATTA Treasurer & Life Member)

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Results - Auckland Centenary Open

S, LIMA

LEFT

Leonardo IIzu (BRA), under 1 singles. RIGHT Briana Burgos under 19 girls

LOWER LEFT

Irene Yeoh (U under 15 girls

LOWER RIGH

Steven Moren under 15 boys

ka 19 boys’ (PUR), ’ singles SA), ’ singles

T o (PUR), s’ singles

S,

OCEAN IA Y OUT H CH AMPIONSHIP

MEDALLISTS

TOP LEFT

Sanaya Buddhadasa (AUS), the under 19 girls’ singles winner

TOP RIGHT

Gold, silver and bronze for Australia in the under 19 boys’ singles

left to right

Aditya Sareen (runner up), Won Bae (winner), Chulong Nie (semi-finalist), Hwan Bae (semi-finalist)

LEFT

Ayumi Moriyama (NZL), the under 15 girls’ singles winner

RIGHT

August Xiao (NZL), the under 15 boys’ singles champion

OCEANIA

WTT CH AMPIONS , MACAO

FACING

Lin Shidong (CHN), the men’s singles winner

TOP RIGHT

Sun Yingsha (CHN), the women’s singles champion

LOWER LEFT

Qiu Dang (GER) excelled to reach the men’s singles final

LOWER RIGHT

Wang Yidi (CHN) women’s singles runner up

TOP LEFT

Lin Shidong (CHN) left beat right Ma Long (CHN) to win the men’s singles title

TOP RIGHT

Sun Yingsha left the women’s singles winner and right Wang Manyu, the runner up

LOWER LEFT

Wang Chuqin left and right Liang Jingkun, the men’s doubles winners

LOWER CENTRE

Qian Tianyi left and Chen Xingtong right the women’s doubles champions

LOWER RIGHT

Lin Shidong left and Kuai Man right en route to mixed doubles gold

SWAYTHLING CLUB NEWS

A Tribute to Harvey Webb

Harvey Webb, Secretary of the Swaythling Club International, passed away on Thursday 7th November at St Michael’s Hospice in St Leonards-on-Sea, England. He contracted mesothelioma, a rare condition resulting from exposure to asbestos at some stage during his life.

A 16 page tribute, recognising the immense contribution he made to the sport of table is available.

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A Tribute to Harvey Webb

A Clear Message from Miran Kondric

The most important four letters in the word Slovenia highlighted, the message is clear from the University of Ljubljana team that competed in the 2024 European University Games staged in Debrecen from Saturday July 20th to Wednesday 24th July.

Furthermore, under the

leadership of Miran Kondric, supported by Tilen Cvetko, assistant coach, they enjoyed success.

Lea Paulin and Katarina Stražar won girls’ doubles silver; Lea Paulin, Katarina Stražar and Gaja Mavri secured girls’ team bronze.

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European University Games

ABOVE LEFT

How Harvey Webb will always be remembered, enjoying every moment of his involvement in the sport of table tennis

ABOVE RIGHT

The Ljubljana team left to right Miran Kondrič, Lea Paulin, Gaja Mavri, Katarina Stražar, and Tilen Cvetko.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Alongside Adrian Christy, Chief Executive of Table Tennis England and Nicky Donald, the Chair, Alan Hydes attended a reception to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China on Wednesday 25th September.

The gathering was held at the Peninsula Hotel in London; opened officially earlier this year in June and built at a cost of one billion pounds.

left to right Adrian Christy, Alan Hydes, Nicky Donald

Claude Bergeret at the Eurominichamps

Staged in Schiltigheim, near Strasbourg, from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th August, Claude Bergeret reflects on her visit to the 18th edition of the Eurominichamps.

“As usual I was warmly welcomed by the local organising committee, I have worked with them since the creation of this competition 20 years ago (for two years it was not organised due to COVID).

The annual “rendezvous” is very important for all European countries. It helps detect talents and follow their progress. Many who graduated to become good senior players have enjoyed success, winning titles or at least finishing

ABOVE

Smiling faces, left to right Gilles Erb (President of the French Table Tennis Federation), Claude Bergeret (President of the Swaythling Club International), Sandra Deaton (European Table Tennis Union, Vice President Finance) and Christophe Porte (President of the Ligue Grand Est de Tennis de Table)

among the best three in their respective event. Bernadette Szocs and Felix Lebrun are notable examples.

Always, It is rewarding to watch these young boys and girls already fighting hard at a young age, their eyes shining with happiness.

Furthermore, the level of the competitors has increased a great deal in the past two decades. Without doubt, a competition not to be missed if you have the opportunity.”

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EUROPEAN TABLE TENNIS UNION RECOGNITION

On Thursday 17th October, Richard Scruton (England) was elected Personal Honorary Member of the European Table Tennis Union, Adriana Zamfir (Romania) and Andreas Georgiou (Cyprus) received Badges of Honour.

Later at the ETTU Congress, on Monday 21st October, no less than seven Swaythling Club members were elected to the Executive Committee –Pedro Moura (President), Heike Ahlert (Vice President), Sandra Deaton (Finance), Chiara Colantoni (Chair – Athletes Commission), Ina Jozepsone (Vice President), Sonja Grefberg (Vice President), Zoran Primorac (Vice President).

Meanwhile, after 25 years as Chair of the ETTU Veteran Committee, Zdenko Kriz passed the baton to fellow Swaythling Club member, Reto Bazzi.

left to right Retto Bazzi, Zdenko Kriz