Jörg Rosskopf smooth progress (Photo: Leon Libin) by Ian Marshall, Editor Bronze medallists at the Olympic Games, Sweden's Erik Lindh in Seoul in 1988 and Germany’s Jörg Rosskopf, eight years later in Atlanta, each kept hopes of at least repeating the achievement alive at the 2018 World Veteran Championships, currently being staged in Las Vegas Impressively, engaging memories of yesteryear, both emerged successful on Friday 22nd June. Erik Lind progressed safely to round five in Men’s Singles Over 50 years as did the younger Jörg Rosskopf in Men’s Singles Over 45 years. Now matters have reached a stage where life becomes more serious; neither experienced any great difficulties but let’s spare a thought for the players they beat first in the group stage and then
Month: June 2018
World Veteran Tour announced
James Morris addresses those present for the launch of the ITTF Veteran World Tour (Photo: Leon Libin) by Ian Marshall, Editor Immense growth, in the Swedish city of Gothenburg in 1982, approaching 400 players competed in the first ever World Veteran Championships. Now, for the current edition, which commenced in Las Vegas on Monday 18th June, the total is some 4,000 players, 300 tables in use. Interest high and soon ever higher; supported by the Monday Club and very much the initiative of Frank Ji, Special Adviser to Thomas Weikert, ITTF President, the ITTF World Veteran Tour will commence in 2019. Already the demand for organised tournaments for veteran players is on high; there are several on the calendar which are well established; rather
Balatonfüred proves ideal home for Tibhar Cup
The men's singles 60 to 64 years podium (Photo: courtesy of Istvan Bajdik) by Ian Marshall, Editor Staged in Balatonfüred, a popular Hungarian resort on the banks of Late Balaton, a total of 156 players from five countries competed in 17 events in the recent XIV Tibhar Cup. The host nation’s Krisztina Spengler emerged the most successful player on duty, she secured a full house of available titles. She won Women’s Singles 40 to 49 years, in addition to partnering colleague Andrea Turner to victory in Women’s Doubles 49 years and Joszef Nyiro to Mixed Doubles gold.. Undoubtedly the efforts of Krisztina Spengler attracted the attention as did one player who did not gain a podium finish. At 93 years of age, Austria’s Margit Schieder,
Viva Las Vegas veterans
Jörg Rosskopf on duty in Las Vegas (Photo: Christophe Neuville) by Susie Hughes Deputy Chair of Table Tennis England and the VETTS It is known as the entertainment capital of the world but from Monday 18th June, Las Vegas will turn into the planet's table tennis metropolis as more than 4,000 players descend on the Nevada desert city. Las Vegas will play host to the 19th World Veteran Championships, the biggest veteran sporting event in the world. Table tennis players aged from 40 to over 90 years old will take part in singles and doubles events for both men and women in 11 age categories, five year bands, for the prize of being crowned World Champion. All participants compete in group stages, with the first
Celebrated names in Las Vegas
Famous faces (left to right) Jörg Rosskopf, Erik Lindh, Stellan Bengtsson, Istvan Jonyer, Jörgen Persson (Photo: courtesy of Matt Hetherington) by Matt Hetherington, USA Table Tennis Media & Communications Director Tonight the 19th World Veteran Table Tennis Championships was officially declared open, by Hans Westling of the World Veteran Table Tennis Committee, after a night of entertainment and celebration. Indeed it was a taste of Vegas which was put on show, intertwined with special moments in table tennis history and the acknowledgement of the sport’s legends who had descended upon Las Vegas, USA, among approximately 4,000 competitors. Indeed among the first two days of practice the scale of this momumental event has already been realized, and tonight’s ceremony ignites a thrilling week of table