Photo: Christian Heyerdahl A most valued and respected member of the Swaythling Club International, it is with great sadness the passing of Björne Mellström is announced. Born on Friday 10th March 1933, Björne Mellström passed away on Sunday 4th February, just a few days short of his 91st birthday. He won 16 gold medals at the Swedish Championships – five men’s team, five men’s singles, two men’s doubles and four mixed doubles. The leading Swedish player of the 1950s was Tage Flisberg, men’s singles runner up at the 1954 World Championships. In the men’s singles at the 1956 Swedish National Championships, Björne Mellström beat Flisberg in the semi-finals before repeating the feat in the 1957 and 1958 finals. Notably, Björne Mellström competed in six consecutive World
