posted Feb 4, 2008

Good article Mark.

I learned first hand the sport's athletic and highly charged nature. I'm not going to bore you with the details but let's just say that I don't play amateur junior table tennis anymore.

People think that it's an indoor sport played by (let's be honest) geeks and that it isn't physically challenging, but they couldn't be more wrong it can give even the most keen athlete a good workout.

These boards don't get the attention they deserve, great sport.

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posted Feb 6, 2008

After my stunning first round victory in the first round of the work table tennis tournament, I think I am definately a prospect for the future. Have to disagree about it being a good workout though. It's hardly a physical sport. Try cycling, running or squash.

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posted Feb 6, 2008

Scottrf, if you believe that stuff about not being a physical sport, without wishing to sound patronising, that is because you haven't played it at a level where it tires you out.

Table tennis is perhaps one of the most misunderstood sports in this country; everyone thinks they can play, yet few really can (to a level that would be competitive in a local league.)

I myself play in the local league and have no illusions of going any further, because I have seen what these guys can do (and my balance and footwork leaves a lot to be desired!) I attend national Grand Prix tournaments regularly because my girlfriend, who plays at a much higher level than me, enters them, so I tend to get to see a reasonable standard fairly regularly. You should ask those people if it's physical or not!

Having said that, were you to take the sport up properly, I believe you would be very pleasantly surprised.

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posted Feb 6, 2008

Chris, I have in the past played at a high level, a number of club games, including playing someone who played for England juniors. At work it is played at a reasonable standard as we have a table which is in constant use at lunch and before/after work.

I am by no means saying that it is easy work or it doesn't tire you out. But compared to a lot of sports you can do I would in no way consider it physical. I no longer play competitively and don't get me wrong I fully appreciate the skill and fitness to play at the top level. But I do consider myself fit and cannot see myself getting exhausted after a game at a decent standard.

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posted Feb 10, 2008

Watch out for 'Mark Batch'

He is 16 plays often at home and is unbeaten this year

I am hoping to play in the 2012 olympics!

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posted Feb 14, 2008

Drinkhall = Immense
Evans = Potentially Immense
Knight = Not good enough
Pitchford = Not good enough
Vickers = Fit, but not good enough.

Awesome sport to play, but it's hated by anyone who doesn't play it and by a lot who do play. Shame really.

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posted Feb 14, 2008

I'm unbeaten. Some half-decent prospects but the Asians are the best.

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posted Feb 25, 2008

DAVID WETHRILL: In the paralympics defiantely david wethrill, he is a great paralympics player and a definate star for the future, hes the one to watch.

DARIUS KNIGHT: Oke darius is the number 2 in england, hes a star in the making, and his career will undoubtedly get better.

PAUL DRINKHALL: Yeah, hte guy is surely talented at the sport, and should definately win Euro Top 12 y the end of his career, long career ahead of him.

It is great you can witness that going to the euro top 12, that there is a fantastic sport that people are rejecting out there...

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