Tomas Polansky setting the example in Cape Town (Photo: Rémy Gros) by Ian Marshall, Editor Beaten in the opening round of the boys’ singles event by Ioannis Sgouroppulos of Greece at the recent Sun International World Junior Championships which concluded in Cape Town, South Africa on Wednesday 7th December, the Czech Republic’s Tomas Polansky has been awarded the Fair Play Trophy. He received the award for the integrity displayed in second group stage of the Boys’ Team event. In the contest against Romania, Tomas Polansky trailed Rares Sipos by two games to one. In the fourth game he led 7-5; after a long rally, he was awarded the next point. Understandably there were cheers from coach and players sitting on the bench. However, Tomas Polansky
Year: 2016
The question, who will follow Aly Ghallab?
Aly Ghallab in action at the recent 2016 ITTF-Africa Senior Championships (Photo: courtesy of ITTF-African Table Tennis Federation) by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor Sponsored by the Swaythling Club International, on Wednesday 7th December, the Fair Play Award will be presented in Cape Town, South Africa, at the conclusion of the Sun International World Junior Championships. One year ago, when the tournament was staged in the French town of La Roche sur Yon in the splendid Vendéspace arena, Egypt’s Aly Ghallab received the award. In the Boys’ Team event, the overall score in the fixture against Belgium stood at two matches to one for Egypt. Aly Ghallab faced Thibaut Darcis, the contest went the full five games distance; in the fifth game the two
Ladies lead the medal count in Santo Domingo
Diana Casas came within a whisker of four titles (Photo Martin Avila) by Ian Marshall, Editor Three titles apiece for Colombia’s Diana Casas, Peru’s Milagritos Gorriti and Brazil’s Natalia Lucena; it was the ladies who concluded proceedings the most successful at the 2016 Latin American Veteran Championships which ended in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on Sunday 27th November. The only man to equal the feat was Ricardo Rodriguez, like Diana Casas from Colombia. Notably, Diana Casas, who competed in three World Championships, being present in 1989 in Dortmund, in 1997 in Manchester and two years later in Eindhoven, came within a whisker of securing four titles. She won women’s team 45 to 54 years in partnership with colleague Claudia Garcia; before securing the mixed doubles
Jean-Michel Saive guest of honour
Nostalgia in Belgium (left to right) Frans Lanckman, Jean-Michel Saive, André Damman, Pierre Juliens and Alex Rosmarin Photo: courtesy of Pierre Juliens) by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor Now retired from international duty; nevertheless Jean-Michel Saive continues to compete in the Belgian National League; he represents Logis Auderghem. Recently he invited the man who was once his mentor, André Damman, now a member of the ITTF President’s Council, as the guest of honour. Good news and it would appear that Jean-Michel Saive has forgiven André Damman for making him sit on the bench and watch Remo de Prophetis, Thierry Cabrera and Didier Leroy be the selection time and time again. A great deal of water has passed under the bridge since the 1983 World Championships
Honours shared in Santo Domingo
Colombia's Ricardo Rodriguez celebrates, he partnered Roberto Velandia to success in men's team 40 to 44 years (Photo: courtesy of Freddy Almendariz) by Ian Marshall, Editor Brazil secured gold in men’s team 35 to 39 years thanks to the efforts of Nomando Allencar and Neder Neves; they recorded a three matches to one verdict against the Peruvian trio of Alfonso Manosalva, Renzo Luz and Piero Hurtado to secure the title. Also, they enjoyed success in women’s team 55 to 64 years with Sandra Lopes and Natalia Lucena finished in first place in a group organised event ahead of Argentina’s Maria Gonzalez and Evelina Weber. Gold for Brazil, Natalia Lucena partnered Sandra Lopes to women’s team 55 to 64 years success (Photo: courtesy of Freddy
Gothenburg provides historical setting
A worthwhile journey from Japan, Yukimune Yukihito reached the semi-final round of Men's Singles 40-59 years (Photo: Lars Lanhed) by Hans Westling, Chair World Veteran Championships Committee Situated on the west coast of Sweden, Gothenburg, recently staged what is now the largest annual veteran tournament in Scandinavian countries; play commenced on Friday 4th November and concluded on Sunday 6th November. This was the 39th time players from all parts of Europe gathered, not only for three days of competition; also for social events; furthermore, players from Japan gave the tournament a global touch with Yukimune Yukihito being a bronze medallist in men's singles 40-59 years. Home for the tournament was the Exercishuset, located near local hotels, originally a military school and now a protected
Spirit of sport, Australian Veteran Championships
Action from the 33rd Australian Veteran Championships (Photo: Leonie Whiteford) by Ian Marshall, Editor Staged at the Netball Centre in the Sydney Olympic Park, the 33rd Australian Veteran Championships were held recently from Saturday 15th to Saturday 22nd October. Over 400 players competed in the men’s and women’s categories from over 30 years to over 80 years; notably players travelled from every state in Australia as well as from China, Japan, New Zealand, the United States, Vietnam and Wales. Competing whilst also both building and renewing friendships was the order of proceedings, at an event superbly organised by Table Tennis New South Wales thanks to the efforts of an army of volunteers under the direction of Bev and Brian James. Equally, the successful outcome was
Paul Pinkewich seeking to add to trophy collection
The evergreen Paul Pinkewich (Photo: Warren Woolcock) by Ian Marshall, Editor Searching for no less than his 59th Australian title, the host nation’s Paul Pinkewich is the leading name on duty at the forthcoming 2016 RBK Mothernest Australian Open Veteran Championships to be staged from Friday 14th October to Saturday 20th October. Home for what is the 33rd edition of the tournament is the Sydney Olympic Park. Crowned Australian national champion on no less than 13 occasions, during an illustrious career he represented Australia on no less than 287 occasions. He made his debut at the World Championships in Stockholm in 1967, the swansong being in New Delhi two decades later in 1987. Additionally, he won the men’s singles title at the Oceania Championships in
Danny Seemiller, autobiography now available
Danny Seemiller at the 2016 World Veteran Championships (Photo: Alvaro Diaz) by Ian Marshall, Editor Las Vegas will be the home for the 2018 World Veteran Championships; one of the major reasons is through the efforts of Danny Seemiller. Five times United States men’s singles champion, his autobiography entitled “Revelations of a Table Tennis Champion”, a book which comprises 218 pages and 96 photographs, is now available. The text on the back cover reads: If you are in the Olympic sport of table tennis, then you know Danny Seemiller, USA’s greatest modern champion. In “Revelations of a Table Tennis Champion,” the five-time U.S. Men’s Singles Champion takes you through his 50 years in the sport, from the early days of training, the breakthroughs, the agonizing
Swedish Swaythling Club members meet in Stockholm
Friends reunited (left to right standing) Tomas Berner, Hans Westling, Christer Johansson (sitting) Siv Hammarlund, Inga Bremer, Gudrun Bergström and Marita Neidert (Photo: courtesy of Hans Westling) by Ian Marshall, Editor Japan’s Yuya Oshima and Kasumi Ishikawa won the respective Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles titles at 2016 ITTF World Tour Swedish Open in Stockholm on Sunday 19th September. The tournament brought to a conclusion the 21st year of the ITTF World Tour and as with all international it brought together friends; some with longer memories than others. Notably present to watch the proceedings were Siv Hammarlund and Gudrun Bergström, both ladies whose thoughts must always be with their late husbands, men so prominent in the world of international table tennis. Lollo Hammarlund was elected