Once again Claude Bergeret, the first and only, elected President

Claude Bergeret returned unopposed (Photo: ITTF) The first and only French female player to strike gold at a World Championships, when she secured the mixed doubles title in partnership with the late Jacques Secretin in 1977 in Birmingham, on Saturday 11th December, there was another “first and only” for Claude Bergeret. She was elected President of the Swaythling Club International, at the organisation’s first and only Annual General Meeting to be held virtually. Furthermore, she becomes the first and only native of France to command the office. Notably, she succeeds Ebby Schöler and is the ninth to hold the office since Victor Barna was elected at the inaugural meeting in 1967. Later, in addition to Victor Barna and Ebby Schöler, Joe Veselsky, Zarko Dolinar, Johnny

Richard Bergmann Fair Play Trophy awarded to Lily Zhang

Zoran Primorac presents the Richard Bergmann Fair Play Trophy to Lily Zhang (Photo: Rémy Gros) Lily Zhang of the United States received the Richard Bergmann Fair Play Trophy at the 2021 ITTF World Championships Finals on Monday 29th November, the closing day of action in Houston. The decision was made by a specially convened group comprising Zoran Primorac (Athletes Commission), Arne Madsen (Media Committee), Gabor Felegyi (ITTF), Tina Crotta (Referee) and Reto Bazzi (Swaythling Club International). Following the proposal made by Tina Crotta, Lily Zhang received the award as a result of her consistent fair play behaviour.

Petra Sörling elected ITTF President

Petra Sörling addresses the Annual General Meeting (Photo: Rémy Gros) Member of the Swaythling Club International, Petra Sörling was elected President of the International Table Tennis Federation at the Annual General Meeting in Houston on Wednesday 24th November. She becomes the eighth person and the first woman to hold the office. Also, there is another first, she is the first ever reigning world champion to claim the role! Previous presidents in the guise of Japan’s Ichiro Ogimura and Xu Yinsheng both won titles at World Championships but assumed the highest office when retired from international play. In 2018 at the World Veteran Championships partnering Pia Toelhoj to success in the women’s doubles 45-49 years event. Notably as today, the event was staged in the United States,

Laszlo Pal (1936-2021)

by Anton Lehmann The well-known and popular table tennis coach, Laszlo Pal, passed away on Sunday 10th October 2021. He was 85 years old. One year ago, I met him on two occasions. Alongside other young people, it is now over 60 years since Laszlo Pal took me under his wing. He was always positive and had an eye for shortcomings, which he corrected in such a way you had the feeling of making immediate improvement. He reacted to a player’s progress with an enthusiasm that simply carried you away, spurring you to achieve even more. He was both a great table tennis coach and a good friend. The fact that I won a match against Eva Koczian, pays tribute to his efforts! Interest in

Beirut perfect host, veteran tournament a success

The organisers with all the winners Economic problems, in the news for all the wrong reasons, from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th October, Beirut was in the news for the right reason.The capital and biggest city in Lebanon, it was the host for the Adel Hakim Veteran Tournament, the event’s fourth edition. Medallists in men's singles 30 to 39 years (Photo: Lebanon Table Tennis Federation) Sponsored by Rock Production, staged at the Ghazir club, no less than 100 players competed representing five Arab member associations.Additional to the hosts, players from Egypt, Iraq, Sudan and Syria competed; the efforts of all concerned being greatly appreciated by Rock Hakim, Owner and Managing Director of Rock Production. "Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of the

Remembering 100 years, Angelica Rozeanu biography now available

Celebrating one hundred years since her birth on Saturday 15th October 1921, the book “Great Triumphs, Great Pain – the Life of Angelica Rozeanu” is now available. Comprising 162 pages and over 110 photographs, the publication not only reflects the achievements of one of the all-time greats of sport but of a human being who had to overcome obstacles in life that are nowadays unimaginable. Anointed women’s singles world champion on six consecutive occasions commencing in 1950 in Budapest, a total of 30 medals at World Championships, the achievements have stood the test of time. Remarkable but even more remarkable is the fact that in 1939 when war broke out, 18 years old at the time, for the next five years she was

Hugo Calderano and Hina Hayata win in Doha

Hugo Calderano, the men's singles winner in Doha (Photo: Rémy Gros) Brazil’s Hugo Calderano and Japan’s Hina Hayata won the respective men’s singles and women’s singles titles at the WTT Star Contender Doha 2021 tournament on Saturday 25th September. Success for Hina Hayata came after she had partnered Shunsuke Togami to mixed doubles gold. Notably, Japan departed with three titles, Minani Ando and Miyu Nagasaki emerged the women’s doubles winners. The men’s doubles was won by Korea Republic’s An Jaehyun and Cho Seungmin. Hina Hayata, women's singles winner (Photo: Rémy Gros) Men’s SinglesSF: Hugo Calderano (BRA) v Liam Pitchford (ENG) 11-5, 6-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-3, 11-9SF: Darko Jorgic (SLO) v Lee Sangsu (SLO) 13-11, 12-14, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-2F: Hugo Calderano (BRA) v Darko Jorgic (SLO)

2022 European Veteran Championships

Italy Rimini Monday 27th June to Saturday 2nd July 2022 Italy extends invitation to the European Veteran Championships. Staged from Monday 27th June to Saturday 2nd July 2022 in Rimini, the Italian Table Tennis Federation kindly invites six members of the Swaythling Club International to compete in the 2022 European Veteran Championships. Interested persons will have to register on the entry system and pay the respective participation fee. Members wishing to apply for one of these places are requested to contact Mrs Claude Bergeret, SCI secretary by email: claude.bergeret@fftt.email Closing date for applications: Tuesday 30th November 2021 Claude BergeretSCI Secretary

Annual General Meeting

Call for Applications & Propositions for the Constitution The Swaythling Club Annual General Meeting was due to be held in Busan in 2020 but this was not possible; the Covid-19 pandemic caused the event to be cancelled. It was then anticipated that we could hold the AGM at the World Championships in Houston in November 2021 but again this has not been possible due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic resulting in difficulties for many people in travelling to the United States. The SCI Executive Committee has therefore decided to hold a virtual on-line AGM on Saturday 11th December 2021 at 14.00 CET. Details of how you can log on to attend will be announced shortly on this website and will also

Jean-Michel Saive elected President of Belgian Olympic Committee

Jean-Michel Saive at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games (Photo: World Table Tennis) A host of accolades to his credit in the playing arena, on the evening of Friday 10th September, Jean-Michel Saive was elected President of the Belgian Olympic and Interfederal Committee (BOIC). He follows Pierre-Olivier Beckers, head of the organisation for 17 years. At the election Saive received 77 of the votes cast at the extraordinary general meeting; his one rival being Heidi Rakels, judo bronze medal in the women's middleweight division at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games. “From last September I was the only candidate, Heidi registered her nomination on 8th July, two days before the deadline, it was a big surprise for everyone, me included!” Jean-Michel Saive Now 51 years old, commencing