Ashley Robinson at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games by Ian Marshall, Editor Ashley Robinson is the latest member of the Swaythling Club International; born on Wednesday 24th November, since 2012 he has been a regular member of the Irish national team at major global events. Appearances World Championships 2016 – World Team Championships, Kuala Lumpur2016 – World Championships, Suzhou2014 – World Team Championships, Tokyo2012 – World Team Championships, Dortmund ITTF World Tour 2019 – ITTF World Tour Platinum Australian Open, Geelong2018 – ITTF World Tour, Hungarian Open, Budapest2017 – ITTF World Tour, Swedish Open, Stockholm2014 – ITTF World Tour, Swedish Open, Stockholm2014 – ITTF World Tour, German Open, Magdeburg ITTF Challenge Series 2017 – ITTF Challenge Spanish Open, Almeria ITTF European Championships 2019 – ITTF European Championships, Nantes2017 – ITTF
Year: 2020
Jean-Michel Saive back on two wheels
Jean-Michel Saive on the recent climb to the top of Mont Ventoux by Ian Marshall, Editor An accident when cycling, hospital treatment required, for many that would have signalled the end of riding on two wheels; for Belgium’s Jean-Michel Saive, quite the opposite. On Monday 21st May in Liège, a broken wrist was the result of a collision; on Thursday 20th and Saturday 22nd August, he cycled to the top of Mont Ventoux, 1,909 metres above sea level. Undoubtedly a major achievement, especially as the now 50 year old is not yet fully recovered; patience is still needed, golf must wait.
Agnes Simon, a special place in sport
1962, Agnes Simon (left) with Ebby and Di Schöler (Photo: Archive) by Ian Marshall, Editor Gold medallist at both the World Championships and European Championships, following a short illness, Agnes Simon passed away on the morning Wednesday 19th August. She was 85 years old. Born Agnes Almasi in the Hungarian capital city of Budapest on Wednesday 21st June 1935, always known to her friends as Agi, she has the unique distinction of representing three national associations at the very highest level. At the World Championships, on duty for her native Hungary, alongside Zsuzsa Fantusz, Gizi Farkas and Eva Koczian, she secured women’s team bronze in Bucharest in 1953, before the following year claiming silver in London, when Ilona Kerekes replaced Zsuzsa Fantusz in the
Eva Jeler announces retirement
Eva Jeler waves farewell (Photo: courtesy of Dora Jeler) by Dora Jeler After 37 years as a national coach for the German Table Tennis Federation (DTTB), Eva Jeler has officially retired from her duties. However, unofficially, she remains as active as ever! “I will continue to work in table tennis, that much I can say.” Eva Jeler It would be hard to imagine her disappearing from the global table tennis stage; in her many years with the DTTB, she has collected more international medals than any other German coach. Her international career began as a player in the former Yugoslavia and continued as a coach after a sudden injury brought an abrupt end to her playing career at only 23. Unfazed by this setback, she joined
Jane Pinto overwhelmed with birthday messages
Jane Pinto with husband Felix on her 85th birthday (Photo: courtesy of Jane Pinto) by Ian Marshall, Editor Always a bright welcoming smile, respected worldwide in her efforts to promote the sport of table tennis, earlier this month on Thursday 9th July, alongside husband Felix, Jane Pinto celebrated her 85th birthday. An occasion in itself but the staggering fact was the hundreds upon hundreds of good wishes she received from friends and colleagues; the response marked the respect in which she is held. Succeeded by Andrew Mudibo, Jane Pinto was the President of the Kenya Table Tennis Association from 2002 to 2014, having for the previous eight years held the position of Deputy President. Always, she gave full support to members of the national team,
Jean Devys celebrates landmark birthday
Jean Devys in his younger days, never one to seek the limelight Stalwart member of the Swaythling Club, Jean Devys celebrated his 90th birthday on Wednesday 17th June. Born in Roubaix, watching Michel Haguenauer play Guy Amouretti in 1949 when the French National Championships were held in nearby Lille, provided the motivation for one of the most distinguished careers in the sport of table tennis. In 1957 he joined the local Flanders League Committee, in 1964 the French Table Tennis Federation, before being elected to the ITTF Ranking Committee 1982 and in 1984 the management Committee of the European Table Tennis Union, the year in which he became the editor of the French Table Tennis magazine. He retired from office in 1996 after 33
Bert Kerr, Scottish International
Bertie Kerr, always remembered (Photo: courtesy of Billy Gibbs) by Charlie Ellis Born on Tuesday 4th April 1933, Bertie Kerr, one of the greats of the Scottish games passed away on Sunday 7th June. He was 87 years old. A multiple Scottish internationalist Kerr was five times national singles champion and a protégé, sparring partner and life-long friend of two time doubles world champion Helen Elliot. After Helen, he was the Edinburgh and Lothians Table Tennis League’s most outstanding player. He was a central figure within Gambit Table Tennis Club, one of Scotland’s most successful clubs, until its untimely demise in 1989. He subsequently played on in the ELTTL until knee troubles brought his playing days to an end in the early 90s. He
Korea at 1980 English Junior Open
The Korea Republic in Worthing (back) Han Sangkook, Ahn Byeongjun, Kim Kitaek, Yoon Sangmun, Yoo Gyeongseok, Ahn Jaehyung, Park Docheon (front – players) Shin Deukhwa, Kim Jeongmi, Ji Namyoung (Photo: Harvey Webb) Deciding that it was an opportunity to have a spring clean and throw out unwanted items, Harvey Webb found a precious box of memorabilia, including photographs and newspaper cuttings dating back to the 1960s. One photograph in particular caught the eye; the visit of the team from the Korea Republic to Worthing in 1980 to compete in the English Junior Open. Leader of the group was Han Sangkook, who sadly passed away earlier this year on Friday 20th March; notable names in the group included Kim Kaitaek, Ahn Jaehyung and
Jean-Michel Saive on road to recovery
An air of resignation (Photo: courtesy of Jean-Michel Saive) by Ian Marshall, Editor The Col du Galibier and Mont Ventoux; they are the "sacred mountains", year after year the highest points on the Tour de France. Jean-Michel Saive has climbed both and never suffered an accident. However, on Monday 21st May, much closer to sea level, near the stadium of the celebrated football club, Standard Liège, he came to grief. He suffered a cycling mishap not of his own making. At a set of traffic lights, a young cyclist ahead stopped unexpectedly, there was the faintest of collisions but sufficient to unbalance Jean-Mi and cause him to fall to the ground. Unfortunately, he fell on the edge of the pavement and broke his left
Ilya Freger, outstanding coach
Photo: Ilya Freger (far left) with Gennadi Averin, Radivoy Hudetz, Yuro Posevin and Dusan Osmanagic (Maybe not good enough, only use if really necessary (Courtsesy of Ukraine Table Tennis Federation) by Ian Marshall, Editor Born on Sunday 29th February 1948, leap year day, Ukraine’s Ilya Freger passed away in his native city of Kiev on Friday 24th April, he was 72 years old. The men’s doubles runner up, partnering Boris Shafir, at the 1968 Ukraine Championships was his greatest achievement as a player; perhaps not the greatest of heights but as a coach he excelled. In 1969 he graduated from the Kiev State Institute of Physical Culture and later worked as the head coach for the Soviet Union, Ukraine and Uzbekistan as well