History of U.S.

Table Tennis
Vol. XIV: 1985-86

1985 saw Insook sharing some of her long-time tenacity with Diana;
and Sean and Jimmy emerging as new history-making champions.

BY TIM BOGGAN
USATT HISTORIAN

1985 U.S. Womens Runner-up Diana Gee

1985 U.S. Womens Champion Insook Bhushan

Photo by Hans Jazyk

Photo by Robert Compton

1985 U.S. Mens Runner-up Jim Butler

1985 U.S. Mens Champion Sean ONeill

TIM BOGGAN
Tim Boggan is a former
International Table Tennis Federation
Vice-President, a former three-term
President of the United States Table
Tennis Association (now USA Table
Tennis), and a former Secretary of the
Association.
For 13 years he served as Editor
of the USTTAs National Publication,
then followed by editing his own
magazine. He is the author of Winning
Table Tennis (1976), and thereafter
Volumes I through XIV of his continuing
multi-volume History of U.S. Table
Tennis.
He taught English at Long Island University in Brooklyn for 33 years, and
since 1965 has been a prodigious writer for the Sport. Having retired from teaching,
he is currently the Associations Historian.
He has received the ITTF Order of Merit Award and the USTTA Barna
Award. In 1985 he was inducted into the USTTA Hall of Fame, and in 2006 received
the Mark Matthews Lifetime Achievement Award.
He was a member of the 1971 U.S. Ping-Pong Diplomacy Team that
opened the door to China, and since then has attended, as official or journalist, more
than 25 World and International Championships. In 1975 he Captained the U.S. Team
to the Calcutta Worlds.
As a player through six decades, he has on occasion, in addition to some
modest early tournament success, and, later, some success in World Veterans
Championships, been the U.S. Over 40, 50, 60, and 70 Singles and Doubles
Champion.
Tim and his wife Sally have been married for over 50 years. Both of their
sons, Scott and Eric, were U.S. Junior then U.S. Mens Singles and Doubles
Champions. Both are in the U.S. Hall of Fame.

Price: $40.00

History of U.S. Table Tennis

VOL. XIV: 1985-86

1985 saw Insook sharing some of her long-time tenacity with Diana;
and Sean and Jimmy emerging as new history-making champions.

by Tim Boggan, USATT Historian

Copyright 2014

This book is for fellow table tennis history buff

Mike Babuin.

Again, I want to acknowledge how much I appreciate Larry Hodgess great contribution. Without
his experience and efficiency (particularly in helping me to shape photos and lay out pages), I might
not be able to continue writing these books.
Again, Mal Anderson gets more than a special nod for (1) sharing with me his enormous, halfcentury collection of photos of players and officials, (and (2) for scanning most of the photos that
appear in this book.
Again, I pay special thanks to Dave Sakai for his many years of giving me the help and encouragement I need to produce these books my way.
Again, I take this opportunity to applaud Professor Scott Gordon, the USTTA Film Archivist, for his
determined efforts to locate and preserve the all too few films from our historic past.

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COPYRIGHT 2014
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a
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recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

Acknowledgements
From Oct., 1933 through Nov.-Dec., 1993, the name United States Table Tennis
Association (USTTA) prevailed; thereafter the Association is referred to as USA Table Tennis
(USATT). During the years 1985-86 that this volume deals with Im indebted to the U.S. table
tennis publications Table Tennis Topics, SPIN, Timmys, and Wiggys.
Those to whom I particularly want to show my appreciation: Liguo and Li Henan Ai, Tom
Aldridge, John Allen, Mal Anderson, Scott Bakke, Tom Baudry, Stellan/Angie Bengtsson, Thomas
Berner, Butch Blume, Lou Bochenski, Sally/Scott/Eric Boggan, Houshang Bozorgzadeh, Bas den
Breejen, Bard Brenner, Tony Britt, Dick/Sue/Scott/Jimmy Butler, Butterfly T.T. Report, Terry
Canup, Jack Carr, Lim Ming Chui, Robert Compton, Dave Cox, Jay Crystal, Fred/Carl Danner,
Barry Dattel, Bohdan Dawidowicz, Deutscher Tischtennis Sport, Jaime Diaz, Wendell Dillon,
Charlie Disney, Mariann Domonkos, Jim Doney, Brian/Mel Eisner, Dave Elwood, English T.T.
News, ETTU/AIPS Bulletin, Dick Evans, H. Roy Evans, Jens Fellke, Shazzi Felstein, Stef
Florescu, Neal Fox, Frances Tennis de Table, Greg Galbreath, John C. Garnett, Betty/Yim Gee,
Andrew Giblon, Cathy Goodwin, Gary Gotchel, George Grannum, Toni Gresham, Don Gunn,
Bonnie Gutman, Rick Hardy, Jay Harris, Rufford Harrison, J. Henry, Bob Hibschweiler, Steve
Hochman, Bill Hodge, Larry Hodges, Don Holzworth, Dr. Mark Hopkins, Bill/Liz Hornyak, Steve
Isaacson, Dean Johnson, Chris Kalagher, Gus Kennedy, Marie Kerr, Toni Kiesenhoffer, Harold
Kopper, Zoran Zoki Kosanovic, Hans Hasse Kron,Yvonne Kronlage, Johnny Leach, Bob Lee,
D-J Lee, Caron/Marv Leff, Hank Levun, Kok Liang, Christian Lillieroos, Barry Margolius, Bowie
Martin, Craig Martin, Jeff/Mona Mason, Dennis/Brian/John Masters, Jimmy McClure, Mary
McIlwain, Jim McQueen, Jack Buddy Melamed, Dick Miles, Tom Miller, Manny Moskowitz,
Bela Nagy, Rahul Nelson, Leah Neuberger, Khoa Nguyen, Sheila ODougherty, Donn Olsen,
Brandon Olson, Pat/Kathy/Sean ONeill, Ontario TTA Update, John Oros, Tyra Parkins, Bob
Partridge, Steve Peterka, Horatio Pintea, Carol Plato, W. V. Plue, Power Poon, Warren
Rasmussen, John Read, Danny Robbins, Stan Robens, Sylvia Rosenthal, Mitch Rothfleisch, Gary
Ruderman, Dave/Donna Sakai, Nisse Sandberg, Bill Scheltema, Sol Schiff, Guenther Schroeder,
Ron Schull, Perry Schwartzberg, Dr. Michael Scott II, Dan/Rick/Randy Seemiller, Adham Sharara,
Ron Shirley, Norm Silver, Dan/Patti/Pam Simon, Manmeet Singh, Neil Smyth, Bill Steinle, Dave
Strang, Lawrence Su, Rick Sullivan, Roger Sverdlik, Dell/Connie Sweeris, Italian tennistavolo
magazines, Fred Tepper, Paul Therrio, Lyle Thiem, German Tischtennis magazines, Takako
Trenholme, Bob Tretheway, Paul/Mary Vancura, Budimir Vojinovic, William Walden, Bill Walk,
Tom Walsh, Kevin Walton, Si Wasserman, Otto Wenk, Michael Wetzel, Tom Williams, Tom
Wintrich, Stan Wolf, Chinas World Table Tennis, Dick Yamaoka, and Zhang Li.
I again want to thank Leah Neubergers sister, Thelma Tybie Sommer, for agreeing after
Leahs death that I might, in succeeding her as the Associations Historian, have access to her
conscientiously-kept records, letters, photos, newspaper-clippings, magazines, and tournament
programs from around the world. I want also to
thank again Leah and Tybies late, longtime friend Bob Green for taking the considerable time and
trouble to box up and send to me this indispensable information.

Chapter One
1985: USTTA Preoccupations.
As readers know from just looking at the cover of my Vol. XIII, the USTTAthanks in
part to our Olympic Committee Chair Jimmy McClure who successfully urged at a USOC meeting
that ALL U.S. Olympic sport bodies should share EQUALLY in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic
Games windfallour Association has come into quite a bit of money: over $1,000,000 and still
counting.
Of course, as you can imagine, more than a few people offered me as
USTTA President much well-intentioned advice as to what to do with this
money. As an example, lets take a Jan. 29, 1985 letter I received from the
USOC/Caesars Palace-connected Paul Therrio whose USTTA involvement
Ive noted in past volumes. Dont be deceived by his folksy colloquialismshe
feels that speaking to me as he does (his words, his rhetoric carefully chosen) is
the best way to get me to take him seriously. Heres what he says and how he
says it:
This is just another bucketful amongst the flood of great ideas you are
no doubt getting about how to spend all that lovely loot forthcoming from the
USOC. Avarice and downright greed will take on a new dimension by the time
you wade through all of thema dimension that you might never have
envisioned otherwise.
Now, having dispensed with this proper preface, let me tell you how to
Paul Therrio
spend what youve come into. And how to do it in such a way that Tim
Photo by Fred Grobee
Boggans name will be remembered long after those other Boggans (I cant
think of their names just now) have been buried deep in the archives of the sport.
The idea whose time has come is defined by a
B.K. Arunkumar
charitable trust set up in much the same way as a
Photo by
spendthrift trust. Gusikoff [unable to pay the prize
Mal Anderson
winners at his 77 U.S. Open because I ran out of
money] can probably detail the deplorable limitations
such an arrangement can conflict upon the GNP. On the
other hand, it ensures that the income stream never dries
up; it is perpetual. Year after year after year the cash
creek will steadily flow unimpeded by the likes of a Sol
Schiff or a Bill Haid or any other sonovabitch on the EC
who recognizes the direct relation between spending
authority and political power.
By the terms of the trust, its corpus, or principal,
could never decrease, only increase at a rate comparable
Bobby Gusikoff
to the CPI. What remains after that, and administrative
From 1977 U.S. Open Program
expenses, could be thrown to the jackals to be wasted
however they see fit for a particular fiscal year based on the trusts income for the prior year. In
other words, make the goddam thing inpenetrable. The USOCs legal counsel can fill in the details
of this satanic scheme, probably at no expense to the USTTA.
4

By all means make Fred Danner the trustee. He is so fuckin

honest, and knowledgeable, that its disgusting. And insist that the
chairman of the USOCs investment committee act as an advisory
trustee and give some balance to the investment decisions. Since a
trustee has serious responsibilities by law, Danner should be paid,
preferably at a flat-rate not on a percentage basis.
I would personally ask that the trust investments be limited to
very low-risk bonds and/or money-market instruments. Speculative
risks connote a measure of greed that in the long run is unwise. Just for
talking purposes, if the USTTA gets a lousy million bucks from this
windfall, a net return at todays rates ought to be in the neighborhood
of $125,000 to $150,000 a year. Thats more than enough to finance
the administrative staff and services, which is what the bottom-line
Fred Danner
objective of the trust should be limited to.
Twenty years from now, the table tennis world will look back upon this deed and light a
votive candle for ol Timmy and his Solomon-like wisdom (you should pardon the alliteration). DO
NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES PERMIT THE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF THIS
ONCE IN A LIFETIME WINDFALL BE SQUANDERED. Like the patriots dream, your vision
must see beyond the years, where alabaster cities gleam, and all that shit.
Best regards to you & family,
Paul Therrio
Paul [in script]
Eventually Jimmy McClure will head a new USTTA Foundation*
that will ensure that this money not be squandered. I didnt know if McClure
was the right guy to invest this money to our maximum advantage, but, as I
knew him to be very conservative-minded and too proud not to be
responsible, I felt sure that at least the principal would be safe under his
guidance. My E.C. agreed.
However, it was my personal opinion that anyone who still thinks
theres going to be considerable progress or, mgod, maybe any progress at
all in upgrading our sport to make it far
more visible, able to attract new
members, with just volunteer help is not
being realistic. At our Dec., 1984 E.C.
Meeting, we hired Henan Li Ai, at a salary
of $18,000 a year, as our first National
Jimmy McClure
Coach, and Bob Tretheway**, at the
same salary, as our National Program Director.
Since I dont want to be merely a caretaker President, I
intend to try new and different things, and am willing to risk
failureas in my ill-fated attempt , despite Barry Margoliuss help
and the public support of at least 100 players, to start a decent
club in New York City. Barry had outlined a plan in which: the
owner gets a tenant who will improve the area, keep a steady flow
Barry Margolius
of pleasant activity going on, generate some rental income, and yet
Photo by Mal Anderson
5

be easily and fairly quickly

removed in case the opportunity
arises for the landlord to lease the
entire building. But after wed
been on hold, our hope let go.
I like a contest, so, as I
indicated in my February Up
Front column in our National
Publication SPIN, I authorized an
I Want to Spend Money! contest. First prize: $200. Second prize: $125. Third Prize: $75. All the
winners have to do is convince me of eight significant ways the E.C. can spend some of our windfall
money.
Realize its not enough just to list the ways, I want for each of the eight suggestions a
convincing argument (of at least a paragraph).
All entries must be postmarked by March 31, not April 1just so no one will think this is a
fools joke.
You still dont believe Im serious? Youre wrongI think the E.C. is in great danger of not
being innovative and I want to do something about it. Carl Danner, for one, knows Im serious.
Heres what he has to say (SPIN, Apr., 1985, 3):
Well, it seems that our new-found wealth is already burning a hole in the USTTAs
previously threadbare pockets. Not only has the president announced that he wants to spend it (we
must spend money) but in the interim he is willing to spend some on ideas about how to spend the
rest. [Tim, though it may take him a little time, wants to spend all the windfall money?]
It seems to me that the EC has never had any difficulty in emptying our treasury of those
revenues that came in [into our threadbare pockets?]. Rather we have had tremendous problems
in trying to coordinate that spending of money and of peoples valuable volunteer efforts into
coherent, purposeful programs that lead to some measurable progress. For example, you might
wonder why our membership stands no higher today than it did in 1971, before the millions of
dollars of free publicity from the China trip and the hundreds of thousands of dollars of USTTA
spending since [out of our threadbare pockets].
[Carl glibly repeats what Id taken him to task for in Vol. XII (see Chapter Six: Selected
Notes)that wed wasted our opportunity for table tennis success after the
visit of the Chinese team in 1972. What opportunity? What would Carl have
done? How? I drew a parallel with the success of Tiger Woods and
professional golf. Both prospered. But, as Id referenced, the boom in
everyday American golf that was expected to follow such publicity never did
materializenot even with the #1 professional player in the world bringing
more and more attention to the sport. Moreover, such a champion/celebrity in
our amateur-minded table tennis association we of course didnt have, far from
it.]
I stand for programs that will increase the membership by focusing on
increasing participation in organized play at all levels. I also worry that a rush to
spend money will give most of it to the people on whom the USTTA usually
Carl Danner
spends its fundsa small group of current top players and officials. [Well,
at least there, those weve supported have repaid us with some successes.]
6

I might point out to Carl that at least 125 USTTA members, donating anywhere from $15 to
$200 apiece (detailed list in SPIN, July-Aug., 1985, 29) will think it worthwhile to support Gus
Kennedys request for funds to help our U.S. Team attend the 1985 Gothenburg Worlds. Gus had
written earlier (SPIN, Oct., 1984, 17), Although the USTTA will receive a large sum of money
from the successful 1984 Summer Olympic Games, those funds will not be received until next year
and even then we wont want to spend the necessary money until we begin receiving annual interest.
Hopefully, this will be the last time we ask members for donations. In consideration for your
support, several choices will likely be available to you. For example, you may be able to indicate
which of the team members youd like to have a meal with in order to learn a little more about them
and offer them your personal support. We also want to allow you to have your photo taken with the
individual players.
Following the Worlds, U.S. Juniors will be going to Europe for training and competition,
but sufficient funds have been set aside for them.
In a Feb. 6 Update letter to the E.C., I suggested some things we might do for our
Juniors. I was mindful of our USTTA Junior Membershipfor a concerned Sue Butler had pointed
out to me (SPIN, Mar., 1985, 6) the following Aug., 1983 facts that had been available to the
USTTA and its Executive Director: First, concerning the girls: Only one state in the U.S. (CA) had
more than 10 USTTA members; and only eight states had 5 or more. This meant that in 42 states
you couldnt find, literally, maybe more than a handful of girls who were very serious about playing.
Also, in 30 states, you couldnt hold, never mind an age event at a tournament, you couldnt hold a
single match because you didnt have even two players to play.
Now the boys (while theyd last?): Only 13 states in the U.S. had more than 10 USTTA
members. More than half of all the boys who were members were clustered in just 7 states (CA,
OK, MI, IN, PA, NJ, and NY). In 27 states you couldnt find, literally, maybe more than a handful
of boys who were very serious about playing. Also, in 19 states, you couldnt hold, never mind an
age event at a tournament, you couldnt hold a single match because you didnt have even two
players to play.
Starkly put, this was the stop-the-bleeding problem Bob Tretheway faced when, a little
more than a year later, he was hired by my administration to start getting new USTTA members
especially junior membersand get them quick. Yeah, yeah, I knowsounds like he was supposed
to pick up a phone and order half a dozen hundred.
According to the latest (Feb. 1, 1985) information I have from Rating Chair Dan Simon,
507 juniors428 boys and 70 girlsare bona fide USTTA members. The breakdown by region is
as follows:
Region
Northwest
Pacific
North Central
Great Plains
Midwest
Eastern
Southern
Total

Boys
19
47
1
50
126
153
32
428

Girls
3
19
1
6
31
17
2
79
8

Total
22
66
2
56
157
170
34
507

According to our Headquarters in Colorado Springs, the latest (February 23, 1985)
information I have shows a 3-week increase:
Region
Northwest
Pacific
North Central
Great Plains
Midwest
Eastern
Southern
Total

Total (Boys/Girls)
25
71
2
60
167
180
41
546

As for Adults, well, we have about 600 Life

members, many of whom have long been inactive (or dead);
another 30 or so are Honorary members; also, we have
more than 100 Family memberships; and hundreds more
members who renew without ever going to a tournament.
Factually, 3,903 different adults have appeared on Simons
rating lists since Jan. 1, 1984. But since 1,180 of these
played on playing permits, this means that for the last 13
months only 2,723 Adult members have played in
tournaments.
9

Rating Chair Dan Simon

Photo by Mal Anderson

What, I keep asking myself, is the Association? What do its members, its clubs want, have
a right to expect?
Sanctioned tournaments, player ratings, SPIN?
Do we build up the Association through the kind of 200 more or less shaky, limited-member
clubs that have been, as it were, storm-tossed round the country? If so, how? What can I, my
E.C., offer these clubs? Allow them to retain not 15% but 50% or even 100% of all first-time
memberships they bring in?
Do we, in an effort to recruit junior members, charge
them just $1 to join the Association? Ought we to continue
working with the very youth-oriented organizations that have
what many think is a hopelessly debilitating Ping-Pong rec
image of us? Boy/Girl Scouts/Cub Scouts, for example, do we
really expect many sustainable USTTA members to come from
their ranks? And in the schools, who, even with Tretheways
help, is going to institute third through sixth-grade programs, and
where?
Do we, in an effort to change to a more socially
acceptable table tennis image, have to try an elitist tennis, squash,
racquetball approach? (Last Sunday I visited the NYC Uptown
Squash Clubfive floors, a bar/restaurant). Are we then to
work toward organizing table tennis into newly-built or expensively-rented clubs of our own, or
tennis clubs, or resort hotels (where demographics show guests are more interested in table tennis
than tennis)? And so draw spectatorswould we? And get TV promotion? And TV spectators?
To me, and a number of others concerned with creating a market for our Sport, coming up
with the numbers we all want but that, as everyone can see, we dont begin to have, we must not
continue as in a dream looking to people inside the sport, who its alleged havent the minds, or at
least the needed experience, to help us. Instead, particularly in the area of public relations, we must
go to outside professionals, turn the Game, or part of it anyway, over to them, be prepared to pay
real money for their help.
At our Dec., 1984 E.C. meeting we opted for a marketing assist from Joseph Potocki and
Associates, a Newport Beach, CA firm, thats been of help to other Olympic sports. However,
weve not given JP & A any unreasonable exclusivity, so our Fund-Raising Chairman Jay Harris and
others can continue to try to find specific-project sponsors.
On January 31st, I wrote the letter (below) to Tony Andria of Nabisco (copy to E.C.
members and others). Since it was outrageously late in getting to Nabisco, probably now nothing
will come of it. Still, I felt I had to write it. I was at fault in that I shouldnt have waited for Jay
Harris, our Fund-Raising/TV Chair, to write this letter, though he had made the original connection
(hopefully thered be a commission in it for him), and had arranged our meeting with the Nabisco
contact months ago in New York. Jay had other things to do (I shouldnt have let him slide away
from this Nabisco responsibility), and when he finally got the time to write, I think we both realized
that, though this was his baby, so to speak, he was really not the best one to write the letter (and,
since Id been at the New York meeting with Jay, I felt it my duty to take over in his steadthough
I wasnt experienced at writing such a letter either). Amateurs we were in thisas one reader, Bob
Tretheway, in his interpolations correctly implied. Ive italicized his comments, which I welcomed, in
my letter to Andria that follows:
10

Dear Mr. Andria:

Since Jay Harris and I spoke briefly with you in New York this fall,
weve been busily involved in a number of day-to-day table tennis
activitiesnot the least of which are encouraging some more Ping-Pong
Diplomacy with the Chinese (theyll probably be at our U.S. Open in
Miami in July); beginning preparations this new quadrennial for our
Olympic debut in Seoul; and, as usual, running our U.S. National
Championships in Las Vegas (my son, Eric, again won the Mens
Singles).
Jay and I now have a specific suggestion as to how Nabisco and
the USTTA might be able to work togetherbut first, as you requested,
Jay Harris
some clarifying background on our sport. [Tretheway notes that You
should not have approached Nabisco the first time without a specific project. As for table
tennis background, you should be giving them demographicswho are the people who play
our sport (men, women, juniors)? what kind of household income have they? what sort of
market do they provide for Nabisco products? Would our answers to these questions have
been helpful to us?]
In the U.S. alone, its estimated that over 20,000,000 people play table tennis. The game is
played by young and old in homes, offices, schools, and rec areas. However, since of these
20,000,000 enthusiasts, only 5,000 are members of the tournament-minded USTTA, our goal,
under my new administration, is to increase dramatically the membershipespecially the junior
membershipof our Association.
Worldwide, the U.S., a member of the roughly 140-nation International Table Tennis
Federation [This means little to them] is ranked 13th among the Mens teams and 20th among
the Womens teams. Eric Boggan, our #1 player, is World #20 (behind eight Chinese and four
Swedes). Quite clearly, if we are to climb up in the Rankings, challenge the Chinese and the
Swedes, we will need to attract more and more young players sufficiently dedicated and sufficiently
trained to compete.
This year, for the first time [What about last year?], the USTTA will be holding special
junior training camps under the supervision of the best Chinese coach weve been able to hire at
both our Colorado Springs and Lake Placid Olympic sites.
Also, this year for the first time we will be working to establish junior training programs in
various pockets of the countrySacramento, Oklahoma City, and Indianapolis. Experienced
club managers and coaches will be paid so as to better organize clinics, leagues, and tournaments
with the aim of recruiting new USTTA junior members. [This maybe should have been the ONE
project presented to Nabisco. Could still be?]
One new project were very hopeful aboutand here wed really like the help of
Nabiscois our (first time ever in the 50-year history of the USTTA) separate National Junior
Championships that, following preliminary qualification play, will be held in July at Lake Placid. If,
however, were to make this tournament the nationwide success we want it to be, we need total
Regional representation at the Lake Placid finals. That means boys and girls from all of our seven
regions competing in five categories: Under 17, Under 15, Under 13, Under 11, and Under 970
final qualifying players in all. [It wasnt accurate to say that U-17U-9 sets of players from all
seven regions would qualify (the North Central section had only 2 USTTA juniors all told), and that
70 was just a number. I assume I felt I had to be specific (changes would come).]
11

Our problem [We should address Nabiscos opportunities, not our problems] is not in
running the qualifying tournaments at the seven Regional siteswe have volunteers wholl do this.
Nor is our problem housing and feeding the final qualifiers who come to Lake Placidfor at this
Olympic site all room and board charges for the players are borne by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
Our problem is, in bringing these qualifiers from all over the country to Lake Placid, paying
their transportation costs. As it stands now, we just cant afford to do this, and so may have to settle
for something less ideal, less democratic. However, we are hoping that Nabiscoif theyd like to
be identified with an Olympic sport and especially with junior play all around the country [these are
Nabiscos opportunities?]might want to get behind this first Annual National Championship as an
initial sponsor. [Their first response should be that we are starting this project too late. We
should be planning for 1986.]
It could be an absolutely great tournamentone that would bring out many new young
players and their families, one that would give table tennis the visibility were looking for toward
Seoul in 1988.
If Nabisco is at all interested in talking about sponsorship of this program, Id naturally be
happy to follow up with more information at a meeting at your earliest convenience.
Sincerely,
Tim Boggan (script)
Tim Boggan
USTTA President
[What a great product for Potocki to sell. Oh, Oh, I want to support our Fund-Raising
Chair Jay Harris if he can do the job, but I dont want him to get in Tretheway or Potockis way.]
Might a Tretheway-Potocki-Nabisco avenue have been established?
A moot point, for, as Id have to state in my March Up Front
column, Because of at-the-moment difficult-to-solve problems
connected with running a separate 1985 National Junior Championship
at Lake Placid [and specifically what problems were those?], the E.C.
had decided to abandon that Championship until next year and
concentrate instead on intensifying its support for the AAU National
Junior Olympics. Thus, this year the Junior Olympic Champions will be
considered the U.S. National Champions. [Dick and Sue Butler, it
would turn out, had other plans.]
Beginning May 1, 1985, the E.C. will allow any Junior (Under
17) to purchase a USTTA membership, including a years subscription to SPIN, for $5.00. And in
an effort to make this 85 National Junior Olympics the best Junior tournament our country has ever
seen, the USTTA will now waive all sanctions and rating fees for tournaments everywhere in the
U.S. that exclusively involve Junior Olympic qualifiers in Junior Olympic events. Moreover, any
junior who participates in this years Junior Olympics ($3 AAU fee required) and is NOT already a
USTTA member will receive a free USTTA Junior membership with SPIN.
Of course, Henan Li Ai will be very important to our juniors. In an article Focus on
Coaching (SPIN, Mar., 1985, 12), we learn what Li and her husband Liguo have themselves
learned about coaching:
12

As the first full-time

USTTA coach, Henan feels
greatly honored. At the same
time, she also feels kind of
lonely. In China, she had more
than 2,000 other full-time table
tennis coaches to cooperate and
compete with. In China, if you
are good, you get to continue
your job. If you are very good,
you get more pay (according to
whether you produce a world
champion, national champion, or
if your pupils have been chosen
for the national team or a
province team, and so on). If you
are no good, then someone will
replace you. This stimulates
everyone to work hard.
In the last seven years before she left China, Henan was the head coach of the Chinese
National Youth Team. She never lacked good juniors to choose from as there are thousands of them
in the country. But she did have the constant problem of refusing most local coaches
recommendations. She had to be very careful, very fair, not only to make a successful team, but to
protect her own reputation.
Ideally, American table tennis should first have good coaches, then it can produce good
players. It doesnt necessarily work the other way. For example, a world champion is not
necessarily a good coach, although he/she definitely has an advantage. Thats why Chinese world
champions like Guo Yuehua, Liang Geliang, and Zhang Li cannot be qualified coaches unless they
study in a sports college for at least two years and practice coaching until they pass all examinations,
which they are doing right now.*** On the other hand, a relatively poor player can be a good coach
if he is smart enough and works hard enough.
Coaching is an entirely different job than playing. It requires more experience, more
knowledge, and more research. Its very important not to equate the two disciplines. Otherwise,
world champions would be content with what theyve done as players and when they become
coaches they would teach their players to do exactly as they did. The results likely would not be
good. Why? Because the game changes (what was good before might not be good anymore), and
because people play differently (whats good for one may not be good for others).
Playing and coaching also need to be recognized as distinctly different or else people who
are not any kind of champion, but are interested in coaching, would have no chance to succeed. In
the U.S. we havent many world-class players yet, so we certainly want to have many more
coaches who will at least try to produce such players.****
We have met a lot of coaches around the country. They are intelligent and some of them are
willing to devote their lives to table tennis. But they are not well informed, are in fact far behind
world experts. Too often, for example, they have little idea of what is involved in serious training.
This is not their fault. Theyre victims of circumstance. They have their job, have to work to make a
living, so they cant put too much time and money into learning how to be a good coach without
13

being paid. True, coaching might be fun, but we doubt anybody would do such serious, demanding
work for long, just for fun. [My feeling here and elsewhere in this article is that Henan is indirectly
laying the groundwork for a raise in her salary in the not too distant future. If theres money to be
had, understandably everyone wants some.]
Still, American table tennis needs both for fun coaches and
professional coaches. The latter may grow from the former and help the
former to have even more fun. Only the USTTA can further this growth
process.
From our English lessons, weve learned that Americans often say,
The best way to learn something is to do it. Thats true everywhere. You want
to be a coach? Do it now. Your certificate is important, but you cant count on
it forever. That paperwork (which everyone has to start with) cant ever be
compared with the actual varied experience youll get in the field. That keeps
changing, while your certificate stays the same.
So far, the technique sessions of each USTTA Coaches Camp have
been conducted by Henan and yet in some way each of these sessions has
been differentjust as individuals are different. Remember, as a coach, you
are going to work with people as doctors and lawyers do. Any little bit of
knowledge you have, like the right pill or the right precedent in law, must be
used correctly in a given situation, and the only way for you to acquire this
special ability is to practice your craft (coaching) properly.
If you are conscientious, you have every reason to expect the USTTA A fun coach could
help this fella?
to help you lead your players in the right direction. In return, youll help the
USTTA by producing good players. The better job you do in your coaching,
the more help you deserve from the USTTAperhaps even a trip to the Worlds as Chinese
coaches receive as a reward.
Each table tennis activity is a mountain stream. The USTTA should have the power to unite
the streams to form a strong river carrying us forward. Money, if wisely used, generates lasting
power. Why dont we put some of our Olympic windfall into coaching, into transforming streams
into rivers? It would be a creative investment in the future of American table tennis.
We can continue our Coaches Camps; we can send out national coaches to different areas
to help local coaching programs; we can have experts doing research work and answering any
questions any coach may ask by exchanging letters and video tapes; and we can put interesting
coaching articles in SPIN.
On September 1, 1985 [advanced to August 15], the USTTA expects to start its first
Resident Training Program at Colorado Springs. This is a great step toward modernizing American
table tennis. It is also a great challenge for Henan the coach. But she is confident, determined to
make the program successful. She wants all you local coaches, parents, school teachers, and club
officers to recommend more and more good players for her to choose from to train. In a few years
shell probably be able to send you back a world star or stars. Come on, lets all work together.
In a Resident Training Program article (SPIN, Apr., 1984, 4), editor Tom Wintrich opens
with the following note: It was announced by Bob Tretheway at the recent March EC meeting in
Colorado Springs that the USTTAs proposal for a Resident Training Program had been fully
approved by the Olympic Training Center. Tretheway took the RTP concept one step further in his
negotiations with the OTC and has secured for the program the exclusive use of a facility that will
14

become a full-time National Training Center. Table

tennis will be in the Berlin building, the same site
the Pan American table tennis team trained in and
the former site of the U.S. national womens
volleyball team.
The article itself then follows:
There are two overall objectives of the
USTTAs new resident training program (RTP).
First, it is intended to aid in the competitive and
personal growth of table tennis athletes. Second, it
is designed to enhance the development of the
best possible teams for international competition.
The program will better enable the U.S. to
have
an
Olympic team in 1988 that can compete
USTTAHeadquarters, 3rd floor, building at left. USOC
headquarters, Olympic House, building in background. more equally with those teams from governmentsupported programs. The intent is not to develop
an elite group or program [no Olympic medals to be won in this sport] but to help American table
tennis athletes become better.
The RTP will begin August 15, 1985 and continue through June 15, 1986. The Colorado
Springs Olympic Training Center will be the site of the camp.
Athletes will be selected by a special committee, subject to the approval and
recommendations of the USTTA EC. Henan Li Ai, USTTA National Coach, will be directing the
athletes training. In addition to Henan, there will also be a resident camp manager and a sports
psychologist.
The USTTA will have exclusive use of its own gymnasium that features excellent lighting,
hardwood floor, and exercise room. In addition, athletes will have access to all other training center
facilities, such as the weight room and sports medicine.
The RTP selection committee consists of Bob Tretheway, National
Program Director, Sheila ODougherty, AthletesAdvisory Committee
Chairwoman*****, and Henan Li Ai. Participants must be a USTTA member in
good standing, must be eligible for U.S. citizenship prior to the ending of the
Olympic quadrennial he or she is training in, and must be a tournament- active
player. An emphasis will be placed on developing junior players 17 years old and
younger.
Participants will receive at no cost: room and board, dental care, sportsinjury treatment, vision care, nutritional guidance, periodic physiological
evaluations, professional counseling, and resident status for attending junior high
and high school.
Participants and or their families are responsible for: completing all
registration forms and returning them to USTTA Headquarters before the athletes
A young
arrival; documentation of school records if planning on attending school in
Sheila
Colorado; documentation of athletes health and accident-insurance coverage;
ODougherty
travel to and from the Olympic Training Center; attending all training sessions and
meetings; attending school if not graduated from high school or working toward a GED; adhering to
the USTTA code of conduct; providing own spending money; and providing own travel money and
fees for outside tournament play.
15

Any USTTA member is invited to apply for consideration as a participant in the RTP. For
additional information, contact Bob Tretheway, USTTA, 1750 E. Boulder St., Colorado Springs,
CO 80909. Phone: (303) 632-5551extension 3286.
Think youre going to hear more about coaching from Colorado Springs?
SELECTED NOTES.
*This new Foundation McClure heads is not to be confused with the
established but unproductive one the USTTA already has. Back in 1974, the
National Junior Table Tennis Foundation was formed with Warren Rasmussen as
President and Fred Danner as Treasurer (by 1982 Danner will be the Secretary
and Dave Cox the Treasurer). At the onset of 1984, a troublesome development
comes to light. On Feb. 10, 1984, a woman named Barbara Kuhns, with the title
of Director of Development for the National Table Tennis Foundation, writes to USTTA Clubs/
Affiliates Chairman Richard Feuerstein. I note on my copy that she writes on stationary that retains a
school logo but that has as its heading NOT the National Junior Table Tennis Foundation but the
National Table Tennis Foundation.
Turns out that, thanks to a grant from Mega Sport (representing the Spalding Table Tennis
line), and the support of Rasmussens friend, USTTA President Sol Schiff, the National Table Tennis
Foundation is setting up a new National Headquarters, a National Tournament Center, to include
services to all tournament directors and offering them pre and post tournament publicity. Ms.
Kuhns wants a list of all USTTA clubs and wants us to keep her updated on them.
On Apr. 9, 1984 Treasurer Cox writes Rasmussen with concerns:
First, I do not believe the Foundation should get involved in any activity which might
duplicate or compete with services provided by the USTTA. And, second, I think we must be
careful not to endanger the tax-exempt status of the Foundation by undertaking any activity outside
of the educational scope of the charter. An expert opinion on this matter would be very desirable.
In this general context I think it would be a good idea at this point for you to write to all the
trustees describing recent developments and your future plans. I am sure that everyone will agree
that a National Headquarters financed by outside grants is a very positive step forward, and it
would be nice for everyone to be aware of this and have the opportunity to make suggestions.
Please, would you let Fred Danner and myself have copies of any written agreements with
Mega, Keystone, or Ms. Kuhns for the records, and please also send me any invoices, receipts,
etc. for the expenditures incurred so far. Im afraid I havent been very conscientious about
producing annual statements and getting the books audited.
Rasmussen replies in an Apr. 13 letter:
I have enclosed a number of checks which are contributions collected by Richard
DeWitt and Ricky Bowling, two juniors from Connecticut. The money raised was used to help fund
further education for them in table tennis in Sweden.
The mailing lists being compiled by the NTTF are in only a small way related to the USTTA
lists and reflect a much larger population of table tennis players who are not connected with the
USTTA. It is my hope that some of these players, as they become aware of both the NTTF and the
USTTA, will wish to become subscribers to our Newsletter and members of the USTTA. In
addition to lists of players, we are also compiling lists of schools that currently have table tennis
programs, lists of individual contributors to the NTTF, and lists of other Foundations that may be
possible sources of funds for the NTTF.
16

I feel the reaction of some people in the USTTA to our offer to make some of these lists
available to tournament directors represents a form of narrow-minded and parochial thinking that
has severely limited the publics awareness of table tennis as a sport in this country. It is the NTTFs
purpose to educate the public about table tennis, and everything we have been doing has been
consistent with this purpose. The fact that we have gone far beyond the meager scope of the
USTTAs membership list has not been lost on our corporate sponsors. If the National Table Tennis
Foundation is to live up to its charter then we must do the things that must be done, and not be
bound by the self-imposed limited thinking that has caused the problems we are all hoping to
correct. In order to reassure everyone, I will be contacting both a top-notch accounting firm and the
Foundation Center in New York to get their opinion as to whether our programs are properly
structured with regard to our status with the IRS and the US Post Office. I will pass along this
information as it becomes available.
Cox responds to Rasmussen on Apr. 19: ...You mentioned in your [Apr. 13] letter that you
had enclosed a number of checks for contributions made for Richard DeWitt and Ricky Bowling.
However, they were not in fact enclosed. So perhaps you could arrange for them to be sent as soon
as possible, since we might as well deposit them and collect the interest.
I would appreciate getting an opinion about the status of the Foundation. I have just
received a copy of the original charter from Fred, and it seems to be fairly restrictive as it stands.
PS. I managed to find a blank of one of the forms Fred always uses for expense. I think it
would be a good idea to use this, so I made a few copies for you and also copies of the standard
Thank You note.
Heres what I myself wrote to Warren:
Earlier Id asked Dave Cox, Treasurer of your National Table Tennis Federation (NTTF),
formerly National Junior Table Tennis Federation, to see if he couldnt fill me in on some particulars
of your organization. This he wasnt successful in doing though, since he really hasnt gotten much
info from you over the years.
We in the present management of the USTTA are concerned about what looks like your
Foundations would-be attempts to establish a rival association to the USTTA. We dont want that
even to begin to happen, and we want to make sure, if need be, that Mega Sports/Spalding
understands that the ITTF recognizes only one governing body in U.S. Table Tennisthe USTTA.
We on the E.C. would like to know just what, if anything, your Foundation has done, is
doing, or will be doing (two of New Englands most promising girls, Rebecca Martin and Marta
Zurowski, sure could use some help). Wed like to know if anybody other than yourself knows
what the Foundation is doing, especially with Mega Sports/Spalding.
Id heard that youd received $5,000 for a North American Championship but that you
couldnt find a place to hold it, or anyone to run it. Is that possible?
If you want any USTTA cooperationwe on the E.C. would certainly like some
communication from you.
No surprise that my July 26 letter to Rasmussen went unanswered and so ended the
correspondence I have on this matter, and no surprise later that a new PresidentDan Simon
would be named. I repeat, though, that this is not the Foundation that has our Olympic windfall
money. At the moment its not clear just what the NTTF can do for us. Later, Bob Tretheway will
suggest that if Simons Foundation can provide transportation for the qualified ACU-I men and
women students, the finals could be held at the Olympic Training Center at Colorado Springs.
17

**In deciding to hire Tretheway, the E.C. might have been influenced by this Sept. 13, 1984
letter they received from Norm Silver who I couldnt help but recall sure didnt want me (I say,
Goodbye, Mr. Boggan) to continue as Topics Editor (Vol. XII, 1983, 216-217):
Allow me to introduce myself. Norman Silver is my name and I am a Life member of the
USTTA. I am a friend, confidant, and sounding board for Bob Tretheway. Although a friend, I
remain objective in my dealings with Bob. I have known him since his coming to Colorado Springs
more than a year ago.
Bob Tretheway has great talent. His ability to think through new ventures can be compared
to a successful salesmans preparation before presentation. He spends many more hours than just 8
each day thinking, discussing, and advancing ideas for table tennis, both on a local level as well as
on a national scale. Bob and I agree on the future of table tennis, and the development lies in getting
thousands if not millions of children to try our sporton a serious level, not as a parlor game but
rather as an Olympic entity. We all know future elite players will be more highly developed when
they come from a players base that is ever expanding, and the skill level will be much higher than
todays Americas best.
Not only is Bob Tretheway sincere in his efforts to advance table tennis, he is constantly
putting forth methods of accomplishing it. I can understand your skepticism when viewing the past,
having seen the USTTA operate over the last 30+ years, mostly in a very negative way. Now we
have the opportunity for the first time to get a man young enough, experienced in life, ablemore
than able enough, enthusiastic enoughand with the desire to want table tennis to grow into the
nations number one recreation.
The USTTA does not need a name or important individual as its executive head. We need a
man who has the desire, know how, and ability to succeed in making table tennis a top sport. Allow
Bob Tretheway to do for the USTTA what no one before him has done. Have the courage to do
what table tennis has needed from its infancy in this country. Vote with Bob Tretheway! Your
foresight will be rewarded and blessed by us all. [Vote with Bob? For who? Does everyone know
who Bobs voting for? Or is it, Never mind whos running for E.C. officeyour best vote, whether
Bob wants to run for office
or not, is to give him a
position of authority now
and help him to do what he
wants to do.]
***Zhang Li was on
the Chinese World
Championship Womens
Team in 1975/1977/1979,
and in 1975/1977 was
World Womens Singles
finalist to North Koreas Pak
Yung Sun. Ai Liguo (Table
Tennis World, #1, 1982)
tells us that after the 1979
Pyongyang Worlds (in
which shed won the
Womens Doubles) Zhang

Zhang Li with her husband Li Zhenshi and daughter Nan Li

From Table Tennis World, #1, 1982

18

Li, then 27, turned to coaching. During the next two years she worked hard helping to bring up a
number of young playersuntil in 1981 she was staying in the training camp with the Chinese
World Team members even while pregnant with daughter Nan. Are we really to believe she cant
be a qualified coach in China unless she studies in a sports college for at least two years and
practices coaching until she can pass an examination which shes in the process of doing now [in
1985]?
Well, er, Yes. For after she and her celebrated star-player husband Li Zhenshi and her
daughter Nan moved in 1991 to the U.S., to Colorado Springs where she became Assistant Coach
of the Resident Training Program and the USTTA published some stats on her, we learn that in 1986
she did indeed graduate from the Beijing Physical Culture and Sports Institute. Where, could we
say, her correct studies there helped her once wee babe, Nan, not only to become the U.S. Girls U14, U-16, U-18 Champion, but eventually a coach herself?
****In 1982, with C.F.Lius help, the Chinese agreed to break
precedent and send a professional Chinese Coach to this country. Price tag
for Temporary U.S. National Coach Wang Fuzheng: $8,000 for six months.
Larry Thoman, then National Coaching Chair, describes (Vol. XI, p. 433)
how disappointing this arrangement turned out to be. In part because Wang
didnt speak English and so in conducting his coaching camps or visiting the
relatively few clubs that he did, he had to have a paid interpreter with him.
Also, said Larry, I was forever in doubt as to whether the project was
going to continue or whether it would be stopped. In-fighting among various
members of the E.C. and the Committees was atrocious.
As for poor C.F. Liu (see his Nov. 19, 1982 letter to the E.C. and
his subsequent follow-up letter to them), first, he advanced not just pocket
money but money for living expenses to Coach Wang that was supposed to
C.F. Liu
be repaid to him by the USTTA, but wasnt. Then, when Coach Wangs
interpreter was about to leave the U.S. and the USTTA had not paid him for service rendered and
expenses incurred, Liu, after getting clearance from both President Sol Schiff and Executive VicePresident Gus Kennedy, paid the interpreter what was owed him. But after Treasurer Lyle Thiem
issued the requisite check to C.F., Schiff put a hold on it, and demanded all kinds of financial details
connected with Coach Wang which very much puzzled and angered Liu. Whether he ever got
reimbursed, or brought legal action against the USTTA, I dont know, have no record of. I do
know, though, that this incident was the unpleasant end of Lius involvement with the USTTA.
Last summer in Beijing, after Sue Butler left that Ping Pong Diplomacy Dinner with CTTA
President Xu Yinsheng, she had a talk with Qian Xiping, China Sports Service Co. representative,
and (SPIN, Apr. 16, 1985, 16) got answers to questions shed raised:
SUE: When Chinas players and coaches go to other countries to work, what kind of
financial arrangements are made with the players?
QIAN: The China Sports Service Co. serves as business agents for any Chinese citizen
representing any sport. We are a very large organization with a great many responsibilities. Any
country wishing to employ a Chinese expert in any sport must work with us. We also arrange for
any of the various exchanges and trips of teams and take care of the many details for competition
outside of China. This is not to say that the various provinces cannot take care of such matters
because they do. But the Sports Service handles all matters pertaining to national level
personnel.
19

SUE: But how are the players/coaches paid when they are abroad? Its my understanding
everything they make goes to China.
QIAN: No, we arent that strict. The contract is negotiated and the player/coach is given
[when?] the large part of the money. A small percentage is deducted for the Sports Service
Registration fee and another percentage is deducted for the amount China has to pay to hire a
replacement for the job that the player/coach leaves temporarily here in China. Also, while a person
is employed internationally, he/she receives full salary.
SUE: That seems fair. Its certainly not the slave labor situation Id envisioned.
QIAN: It is very difficult for my bosses to understand that although your country is very
rich, your Association isnt. In most countries, sports and government are entwined. Your situation is
very foreign to us. Please understand that were we to send a player/coach to the U.S. we feel we
must ask for $1,000 per month, plus room and board, health insurance, tournament playing
opportunities for players, and of course round-trip air transportation. [And were we to host
Chinas Mens and Womens teams to our U.S. Open, what would that cost?]
*****Sheila ODougherty, as USTTA Advisory Committee Chair, had urged players to
respond to a questionnaire shed sent out regarding rubber and table-top standards. On receiving a
copy of this reply from Michigans Bill Rapp, one of the first sponge-rubber players in the country, I
thought it striking enough to send to my E.C. and other interested parties. Here are Bills Junk
Rubber Comments:
I personally consider table tennis a game of materials more than athletic ability, and as
such it shouldnt be in the Olympics. The way that materials can affect the outcome of table tennis
matches is a disgrace to any athlete.
Now if the Olympic money can partially be spent to improve table tennis, I suggest the
following be done. (Maybe the U.S. can take the world lead.)
One: employ an engineering research
laboratory to help establish frictional standards on all
new rubber-playing surfaces. The range now is from
no-friction-Anti to Tackiness which will pick up the
ball. This range should be tightened up to about 1/3
of what it is at present, toward the middle range.
Professional golfers are always putting on
greens which have to meet rolling-resistance
standards. If you can do something like this with
grass, it should be easy to do with a manufactured
product.
Two: establish table-top resistance
standards. The table tennis ball-spin is supposed to
work on the table and bounce according to the spin J. Rufford Harrison checking a device to measure
the frictional force of a rubber top sheet
implied. However, many table tops when new have
no resistance effecttheyre too slipperyso the
ball always makes a no-action bounce.
Table tennis ball-bounce-heights-standards were established with the density of plywood
many years ago. Cheap pressed-wood now used is harder than plywood, so the ball is probably
bouncing higher than the standards established, and probably nobody checked that when the tables
were USTTA approved. [Rufford, Jimmy, anyoneany comments?]
20

Chapter Two
1985: Jan./Feb. U.S./Canadian Tournaments (Indias Manmeet Singh Wins at
Montreal and Baton Rouge).
As we saw in my last volume, the USTTA E.C. at their
December, 1984 Meeting thought so highly of Sacramentos Jeff
Masonhis 50-school coaching work with juniors has now
morphed into a seven-day-a-week, 15-table commercial club
called Table Tennis Worldthat it awarded him (and his
partners, wife Mona and her sister Cindy Miller) $6,000+ for
establishing this World and maintaining its strength as the most progressive table
tennis club in the country.
As Jeff offers a USTTA-sanctioned tournament
every month, Ill begin this chapter with the results of his
Duc Luu
opening two tournaments. First, the 13-event Jan. 5-6
Winter Open: Open Singles: Vietnamese immigrant Duc Luu,
20, 16, 9, over Carl Danner, after Carl had advanced by
lobber extraordinaire James Therriault whod put up a very
stubborn 14, -24, -23, 15, 15 fight against him. Under
2150s: Danner in a tough 19, -18, 20 semis over Abnan
Alawami, then over David Chun, 17,-23, -16, 15, 19, in
another down-to-the-wire finish. U-2000s RR: 1. Alawami,
3-1 (3-2d. Connell). 2. Tom Miller, 3-1 (3-3d.
Alawami). 3. Grant Connell. 3-1 (2-3d. Miller). 4.
Morgan Lehman, 1-3. 5. Peter Lo, 0-4. U-1850s: Connell
over Miller in five. U-1550s: Ken Bowman over Eric
Hamilton. U-1400s: Bowman over Ron Jew. U-1250s:
Vinh Thieu over Jew, 19 in the 4th. U-1100s: Robbie
Sorenson over Leo Egel.
Esquires:
Jeff Feri
Egel over Lloyd
Henning. Seniors:
Miller over James
Ritz. Junior Championship RR: 1. Sorenson. 2. Jeff Feri. 3.
Carl Ports. Junior A RR: 1. Steve Anderson, 3-1 (5-2). 2.
Steve Kassis, 3-1 (4-2). 3. Dain Micheletti, 3-1 (4-4). 4.
Steve Madsen, 1-3. 5. Nicole Ports, 0-4. Junior B RR: 1.
David Levine. 2. Illeya Ringo. 3. Chris Mora. 4. Jennifer
Medlin. Junior C RR: 1. Chris Mathews. 2. Jennifer
Mathews. 3. Kyle Ford. 4. Paul Morris.
Results of the Feb. Butterfly Open: Open Singles RR: 1. Duc Luu. 2. De Tran. (Twenty
years later, at the 2003 U.S. Championships, De Tran would be both the Over 30 runner-up to
four-time U.S. Mens Champion Ilija Lupulesku and the Over 40 runner-up to four-time U.S.
Mens Champion Cheng Yinghua.) 3. Mike Gooms. 2200 RR: 1. Tran. 2. David Chun. 3. Steve
Varela. 2050 RR: 1. Michael Greene. 2. Dave Chu. 3. Varela. 1900s: Greene over Lou Morel.
21

1750 R.R. 1. Allen McDermottd. Morel, 18, 22). 2. Morel. 3. Robbie Sorenson. U-3250
Doubles: Tom Li/McDermott over Byron Corley/Harvey, -12, 23, 19. 1600s: Anthony Streutker
over Morgan Lehman. U-1450s R.R.: 1. Jim Goodwin (a 14-year-old forehand attacker). 2.
Warren Baxter. 3. Dave McAfee. 4. Steve Oldham. 5. Ed Kawai. U-1300s: Goodwin over Jeff
Feri. U-1150s: Andy Heroux over Ken Frankel. U-1000 RR: 1. Ralph Jimenez, 4-0. 2. Kevin
Nugent, 2-2. 3. Frankel, 2-2. 4. Don Streutker, 2-2. 5. Dain Micheletti, 0-4.
Senior Esquires RR: 1. Lloyd Henning. 2. Leo Egel. 3. Wil Fountain. Esquires RR: 1. Bob
Partridge. 2. Tom Miller. 3. Bill Wright. Seniors: Miller over Greene, 7, -20, 18. Junior Boys
Championship: 1. Sorenson, 3-1. 2. Feri, 3-1. 3. Brett Ehrlich, 2-2. 4. Micheletti, 1-3. 5. Carl
Ports, 1-3. Junior A RR: 1. Feri. 2. Sorenson. 3. Ehrlich. 4. Ports. 5. Micheletti. Junior B RR: 1.
David Levine. 2. Chris Mathews. 3. Skipper Medlin. Junior Girls: 1. Nicole Ports. 2. Jennifer
Medlin. 3. Jennifer Mathews. Leslie OReardon.
Winners at the Rocky Mountain Closed, played Jan. 19 at Fort Collins, CO under the
direction of Paul Williams: Open Singles: Sheila ODougherty, newcomer to the area, had to go five
to get by Williams in the semis, then won the event when Donn Olsen was injured and had to
default the final. Womens: Keri Herman over Carol Plato. As: Roger Kuseski over Dennis Driggs
who, caught in a snowstorm, had to default the final. A Doubles: Frank Heller/Wes Wolfe over Tran/
Chow whod 23-21 in the 3rd outlasted Herman/Bill Walsh. Bs: Stanley Stephens over Walsh. B
Doubles: Jackson/Weissberg over Walt Gomes/Taylor. Cs: Marty Cohen over Herman whod
downed Wolfe, 19 in the 3rd. Ds: Cheryl Garnett, after -22, 22, 14 escaping Millie Drake, over
Cynthia Smith. Seniors: Dana Jeffries over John Garnett. Juniors: Tim Roberts over Kenneth
Cohen.
During the Jan. 12-13 weekend, two tournaments
were played in the Toronto area. One, as Andrew Giblon
tells us (Jan.-Feb., 1985 Ontario TTA (OTTA) Update,
28), was the Canadian Tryouts for the 1985 Maccabiah
(Muh-kuh-bee-uh) Games to be held July 15-25 in Tel
Aviv, Israel. This was a round robin event played among
only eight participants at the Jewish Community Center
under the watchful eye of Team Coach Zoran (Zoki) Kosanovic. As matches started, Giblon, who
was not only covering the event but playing in it, noted that Kosanovic had said
that the exact number of players to make the Team was still undecided, but
that there would be between three and five [with all expenses paid]. He also
said that he and the Selection Committee reserved the right to select lower
finishing players.
Not to worry: the four selected were the four top finishers: 1. Steve
Feldstein, 6-1 (3-2). 2. Rene Lewandowski, 6-1 (2-2). 3. Andrew Giblon, 61 (2-3). 4. Mitch Rothfleisch, 4-3. 5. Boris Vaynsteyn, 3-4. 6. Lorne Cherry,
2-5. 7. Jennifer Rothfleisch, 1-6. (Her status as a possible womens
representative is still undecided.) 8. Kenny Berger (lost to Jennifer deuce in
the 3rd).
Feldstein (rated 2252), whos working on his Ph.D. at the U.S.s Penn
State University, lost only to Giblon (1981), but was upset-threatened not only
by the ever-intense Vaynsteyn (1800) who had him 9-1 in the 3rd, but by
Rothfleisch (2161) whod led 17-14 in both the second and third games but
eventually lost the match to Steve, 23-21 in the 3rd.
Steve Feldstein
22

Lewandowski (2084), like Feldstein a former

member of the Canadian Team to the Worlds, lost to Steve
in straight games, but put down an 18-in-the-3rd challenge
by Mitch, and came back from 10-1 down in the 3rd
against poor Boris to finally win the game, 25-23.
Giblon, the only one of the top four not to have
represented Canada in any of the previous Maccabiah
Games, gave Feldstein his only loss, rallying from down 10 and 11-4 before running out the match from 18-all in the
3rd. Also, against Mitch, whom hed never beaten before,
Andrew came back from being match-point down in the
second, and down 19-17 in the third, to score a big 21-19
win.
Rothfleisch had played eight matches in a National
Circuit tournament earlier, on the first day of these
Maccabiah trials (losing in the quarters of the Open to Bert Flisberg), then had gone on that very
day to win all four of his Maccabiah matches before losing his last three the next afternoon.
Giblon says Tel Aviv expects 4000 competitors from 35 countries, including 200 from
Canada. Does anyone think the U.S. is competing in these games?*
The National Circuit tournament Giblon alludes to above is the
Jan. 12-13 Eastern Canada Open, played at Torontos Etobicoke
Olympium. Results: Mens Singles: Joe Ng over Dave Mahabir.
Womens Singles: Annica Karlsson (newly arrived from Sweden?)
over Canadas #4 Becky McKnight. Mens Doubles: Joe Ng/Peter
Ng over Chris Chu/Bert Flisberg (Berts the son of Swedens 1954
World Mens Singles finalist Tage Flisberg). Womens Doubles:
McKnight/Karen Rumar over Daiva Koperski/Karlsson. Mixed
Doubles: Joe Ng/Karlsson over OTTA Vice-President Steve Lyons/
Julia Johnson. Seniors: Bill Cheng over Ron Bickerstaffe. Boys U-17:
Peter Ng over Lam Tan. Boys U-15: Peter Ng over Martin
Ladouceur. Boys U-13: Johnny Ng over Trung Le. Girls U-17: Helene
Bedard over Caroline Sylvestre. Girls U-15: Sylvestre over former
Becky McKnight
Photo by Mal Anderson
Trinidadian Crystal Daniel who, though she was previously active in
track and field, is said to need footwork practice. Girls U-13: Sylvestre
over Judith Perron.
U-2000: Peter Ng
over Bogdan Kalinowski. U1850: Johnny Ng (age 12)
over Marc Houle (age 19).
U-1700: Tom da Silva over
Johnny Ng. U-1550: Trung
Le over J.C. Hong. U-1400:
Paulo Antunes over Rajiv
Singh. U-1200: Lee Khiem
Caroline Sylvestre
over Michael Huynh. U-1000:
Huynh over Sylvestre.
Andrew Giblon

Photo from
Chicago Tribune,
May 2, 1983; photo
by Walter Kale

23

Winners at Torontos Feb. 2nd Max Marinko

Memorial Open: Mens Singles: Joe Ng over Bert
Flisberg, 13, 12, 16. Womens Singles: Karin Rumar over
Julia Johnson, 18, 11, 17. U-2000s: OTTA Treasurer
Emil Vardon over Richard Abbel, -15, 11, 19. U-1850s:
Tuong Bui over Ben Chow, 20, 14. U-1700s: Bui over
Trung Le, 18, -11, 18. U-1550s: Man Kit over Paulo
Antunes, -12, 16, 17. U-1400s: Rajiv Singh over Jorge
Ferreira, -12, 19, 19. U-1200s: Jeff Wong over
Gutierrez, 14, 16. U-1000s: Scott Steel over Desmond
Beckles, 16, 15. Seniors: George Bonigut over Ron
Bickerstaffe, 17, 20. Boys U-15: Peter Ng over his
brother Johnny, 17, 15. Boys U-13: Johnny Ng over
Trung Le, 19, 12.
Results
of the Feb.
16-17 Ontario
Open, one of
10 such Opens
Max Marinko
on the
Photo by Mal Anderson
$10,000
Canadian
Circuit, played
Feb. 16-17 at
the Etobicoke
Olympium:
Mens Singles:
Mariann
Horatio Pintea,
Domonkos
before his
Horatio Pintea
gutsy, surprise
Photo by Mal Anderson
defection at a
tournament in
Greece a member of the Romanian National Team, over
Bert Flisberg, 13, 9, -16, 10. Womens Singles: Mariann
Sue and
Domonkos over Thanh Mach, 14, 18, -17, -12, 13, after
Bella Nagy
Thanh had advanced by Gloria Hsu, -21, 17, -24, 13, 15.
Mens Doubles: Pintea/Pierre Parulekar, -8, 16, 20, over
Chris Chu/Flisberg whod escaped Steve Lyons/Vaibhav
Kamble, 13, -20, 19. Womens Doubles: Domonkos/Hsu
over Mach/McKnight, 19, 17. Mixed Doubles: Pintea/
Domonkos over Chu/Hsu, -14, 20, 18.
U-2000s: Charles Woo over Andrew Giblon, 13,
18. U-1800s: OTTA photographer Bela Nagy over Trung
Le, 13, 9. U-1800 Doubles: Danny Leung/Shih Lin over
Nagy/OTTA President Ned McLennan, -19, 15, 14. U1600s: Tuong Bui over Rajiv Singh, 15, 12. U-1400s:
24

Phu Vi over Jeff Wong, 13, 10. U-1200s: Gia Ly over Andy Leal, 16, -19, 10. U-1000s: Ly over
Angelo Gambrelis. U-800s: Gambrelis over Veronique Ellyson, 13, -18, 18. Seniors: Bill Cheng
over George Bonigut, 8, 9. Boys U-17: Peter Ng over Paulo Antunes, 11, 22. Boys U-15: Peter
Ng over Johnny Ng, 15, 8. Boys U-13: Trung Le over Johnny Ng, 16, -21, 22. Girls U-17: Helene
Bedard over Chris Traeger, 8, 13. Girls U-15: Nathalie Patel over Christine Paquet, 16, -17, 16.
Winners at the Columbus Winter Open: Open Singles RR Final: 1. Ricky Seemiller. 2. Bob
Cordell. 3. Mike Walk. 4. Bob Powell. Open Doubles: Seemiller/Chip Coulter over Cordell/Ray
Stewart, 12, 18. As: Mike Walk over Tima Beka, 9, 13. Bs: David Ahonen over Bill Walk, -17, 7,
15. Cs: Ahonen over Jim Fulks, 17, -20, 12, 19. Ds: Fulks over Tony Wenner, 17, -17, 17, 17,
after Tony had stopped Kizer, 21, -16, 11. Es: Wenner, 18, 15, 17, over James Takas whod
taken out Jay Wright, -16, 19, 17. Novice: M. Spetsios over Greg Galbreath. Beginner: Lawrence
Boss over Lori Berenson, 16, 15, 17. Seniors: Ron Schull over Ron DeMent, 13, 8, 19. U-21s:
M. Walk over Coulter, 9, 14, after Chip had been 19, -24, 16 challenged by Dan Walk.
I received from Paul Vancurawhos just become Arkansass first National Umpirethe
#1 issue (Feb. 1,1985) of the State Table Tennis of Arkansas (STTAR) mimeographed
Newsletter. Its designed, after the Apr., 1984 closing of Duke Stogners
Tickeys Club in Little Rock, to tell us about the renewed interest in Arkansas
table tennis. Turns out, on Jan. 15th, 1985, after months of inactivity, eight
interested members paid their monthly dues and started a five-table club.
Thats exactly the Clubbirth Mel Eisner urges in his March column in
SPIN. Vancura says, Theres not much heat, no air-conditioning, but lots of work
went into the club and were still improving it. Were not fooling ourselves by hoping to make a
profit. Children, beginners, and guests play free until they know whether they like the sport.
Heres Stogners description of the new facility: Its located in a 3000 square-foot
warehouse. The playing area is wide open with no posts to get in the way. The ceilings are 15 feet
high. There are four good tables and ball stops. There is also a black background and good
fluorescent lighting. Membership is open to kids of all ages and both sexes. Members can play
almost any time they want, day or night, as long as there are at least three of them present. As of
now, Wednesday and Friday nights are the main nights players get together.
Arkansas players drawing a nod for their recent good play are: Indiana University student
Eric Barland; Bud Caughman; BB (Benton Blocker) Jack Haynes; 11-year-old Mike Lauro; and
the Clubs oldest player, Otto Wenk, whos contacted the Little Rock Parks and Recreation
Commission about a possible permanent location for the club.**
Club organizers thank the following businesses and individuals whove helped them with
money and gifts: Coughman Construction Company; Donham Electric Company; Dr. Richard York
Henry; Mary Vancura; Three States Supply Company; and Charles Moore of the Arkansas
Gazette.
Naturally Ive tried to give this little
group encouragement and wished them
every success.
Heres Tom Wintrich (SPIN,
March, 1985, cover +) reporting on the
$10,000 Louisiana Open, held Feb. 16-17 in the Exhibition
Hall of the Centroplexa newly designed center in
downtown Baton Rouge:
25

Indias Manmeet Singh didnt record an official hat trick at the Louisiana Open, but the
three events he did win werepresto!worth $1200 in prize money. Turning victory into hard
cash is the type of table tennis magic everyone would like to perform.
Even with his quick reflexes, Singh didnt rely on any slight-of-hand to pull out the bucks.
Just good TT and the attitude that, as youll see, the show must go on despite the stage conditions
and an imminent curtain call.
Down three game, match, championship points to Danny Seemiller, Singh, it appeared,
would soon be taking his second-place bows. But, surprisingly, Seemiller served off to make the
score 20-18, lost the next point with a 4 and -foot loop, and then, unbelievably, whiffed a block.
Magically, Singh was standing in the spotlight at deuce.
Four points later, the score was still tied after Danny, with third-ball loop winners, had saved
two game, match, championship points. Now it was 22-22 Singhs serve, and during the ensuing
topspin rally Manmeet got his third ad-point when Danny blocked long. And then his final, winning
point as Dannys loop never landed on the table. No time for Singh to bask in the limelight, though,
as he had to do a quick disappearing act to catch a plane to Houston.
Singhs victory over Seemiller in the Open Singles semifinal round robin was preceded by
his wins over the other semifinalists, Rey Domingo, and fellow countryman B.K. Arunkumar. Against
B.K., Manmeet had relatively little trouble except for his impatience in the second game, which he
lost 22-20; but then he dominated the final two games, 11 and 6.
The outcome of the Singh-Domingo Open Singles match determined the winner of the Elite
Singles. As in past Louisiana Opens, there were again two separate events for the top players. This
was Tournament Director Power Poons traditional solution to the ITTFs $600 prize limit in one
event. However, with the tournament running late as usual, the format backfired on Poon and the
only solution to Singhs dwindling time left to make it to Houston as scheduled was to have one
match count for both events.

Rey Domingo

Danny Seemiller

No one seemed to care about the format change. With the exception of Arunkumar, the
semifinals of both events featured the same players. (Canadas Alain Bourbonnais was the different
face in the Elite draw.) Dan Seemiller and Rey Domingo had already played back-to-back matches
in which Seemiller fought off defeat in the fourth game of the Open Singles after trailing 2-1 and 1914. (Domingo, however, avenged his frustrating loss by winning 13 in the third in the Elite.)
Singh defeated Domingo in four and caught his plane. Both men are excellent blockers off
26

either wing and are especially effective with their backhands, each of them often contacting the ball
forcibly right off the bounce. Domingo is comfortable playing all over the court, but when Manmeet
drove him back to the barriers he was in trouble, for Singh would invariably keep him there with his
ability to constantly return Reys lobs. Moreover, there was another difficulty playing the back court.
When you werent up at the table in this Louisiana Open venue you were automatically at a
disadvantage because the concrete floor had been waxed the night before to provide smooth gliding
for ballroom dancers enjoying the sounds of the Glenn Miller Band. (Traction wasnt any better at
the table, but at least you didnt cover as much court up there.) Contributing to Singhs success was
his fast forehand cross-court loop off the backhand, his favorite shot.
Manmeet teamed with Canadas Alain Bourbonnais to win the 10-team Open Doubles from
Arunkumar and Brandon Olson whod knocked out the squabbling Seemiller brothers in three in the
semis; in the other semis, Singh/Bourbonnais eliminated Saubana Adio/Domingo.
Despite the floor, Manmeet did not slip into his final matches without encountering a couple
of sticky problemslike Scott Boggan in the quarters of the Elite, and Jimmy Butler in the eighths
of the Open.
Singh and Boggan played a fast and furious match, exchanging counter-drives at a rapid-fire
pace before inevitably one would go for a point-winning shot. Singh likes to loop his winners, while
Boggan prefers to hit his. They split the first two games and continued their point-for-point battle to
deuce in the third. It could have gone either way but Singh prevailed, 23-21, as Scott missed too
many of his go-for-broke smashes.
Hes
everywhere, hes
everywhere. No,
not Chicken-Man
of the 60s radio
Manmeet Singh
showbut Jimmy
Butler, young table
tennis star of the
80s, ever ready to
defend the honor of
juniors.
Jimmy, who
celebrated his 14th
birthday the day
before the
tournament, made it
to the final of A
Singles, semifinals
of AA Singles,
semifinals of the UJimmy Butler
2350s, the eighths of Elite Singles, and the eighths of Open
Photo by Mal Anderson
Singles where he came just two points short of making the
quarters.
Boy meets Man was the match that ignited the spectators interest. Manmeet had no
problem with Jimmy in the first game, winning it easily at 10. Two 19 games later, though, after
blocking and countering well, Jimmys leading the match 2-1. But then Singh retaliated by shutting
27

the kid down 21-7 in the fourth. Still, Mans 20-19 lead in the fifth may have seemed closer to
defeat than victory. However, there was to be no final deuce game or big upset for Jimmy. He did
gain Manmeets respect, though, which is what Manmeet said he didnt have for Butler at the start.
Singh said he wouldnt make that mistake again.
Danny Seemiller was one who refused to take young Butler lightly. In their Elite eighths
match, Danny (pleased they were playing on a back table) tried extra hard, deliberately assumed a
killer attitude. Seemillers strategy was to establish a big lead early with aggressive shots intended to
intimidate the young star. Then he switched his game plan by challenging Jimmy to open. Seemiller
figured he could counter the attack or make him misseither way frustrating Jimmy. The end goal
was to have Jimmy give up and Danny breeze to victory. The plan worked perfectly as Seemiller
trounced Butler 4 and 9.
There you go, Jimmy: Seemillers tactics against youconsider it a belated birthday
present. (Sorry about that, Danny, but youre old enough to take care of yourself.)
Dell Sweeris is another adult who grants the young Butler his due respect. They met twice
this tournament and, while Sweeris cant risk using the same tactics as his former student Seemiller,
trim and fit as he is, he was able to defeat Jimmy deuce in the third in the semis of the AAs, and
two straight in the semis of the U-2350s. Though Dell did lose the final of the AAs to Adio, and
the final of the U-2350s to Perry Schwartzberg, his tournament winnings totaled a respectable
$355.
Meanwhile, Connie Sweeris, seeded second in the Womens, wasnt eager to discuss her
winnings with husband Dell. Expected to play top seed Sheila ODougherty for the $300 first prize
after Sheila had straight-game eliminated Pigool Peggy Kulcharnpises in the semis, Connie was
19, -20, -18 upset by Shirley Woo. Sheila then had her own troubles with Shirley, but prevailed in
three. Connie did win the Mixed Doubles with Danny Seemillerthey escaped Peggy K. and Scott
Butler, 21, 22, then downed Sheila and Brandon Olson, 21, -15, 17. Sheila had another second in
the U-2000s, outlasting Keith LeFrance, -10, 21, 22, but losing to Torstan Pawlowski, 18 in the
third. Her total take was $395.
Other winners as yet unmentioned: A Doubles: S. Boggan/Bob Canup over Houshang
Bozorgzadeh/M. Miller, 18 in the 3rd. U-2150s: Tim Boggan over Mark Legters, 11, -18, 12. U1850s: Tom Odette over Power Poon, 14, 18. B Doubles: Shushil Prem/MarvinVining over Chris
Rivette/ James Schiro, 23-21 in the 3rd. U-1700s: Mark Morris over David Marcus, 15, 15. U1550s: Todd Sweeris over Kam-Chun Chiu, -13, 19, 20, then over Paul Vancura, 28-26 in the
third. U-1300s: Mike Binford over Eric Owens,-14, 18, 21 (Erics proud papa, Kenny, said Eric
picked up over 100 rating points this tournament). Handicap: Lauro over Ivan Lomelli. U-21: Olson
over S. Butler, 18, 22. U-17s: Ed Poon, Powers son, over Ben Ebert. U-15s: Ebert over
Sweeris. U-13s: Sweeris over Mike Lauro. Seniors: Boggan over Bozorgzadeh.
Jimmy Butler may have lit up to birthday-cake candles, but for sure Houshang was
beaminghed just become a U.S. citizen. This USTTAs World Team Mens Captain/Coach has
long been one of us, but now its official.
Perry Schwartzberg had good reason to celebrate on Saturday. He came into the
tournament as ninth seed, which at the Louisiana Open is a coveted spot indeed. The top eight
seeds are excluded from AA Singles which pays $300 for first place. Consequently, Schwartzberg
was eligible, and since his rating was 2346 he was also eligible for the U-2350s ($175 for first),
which, seeding-wise, was identical to the AAs. (One has to question the wisdom of two identical
events that pay money for the same group of players.) [But, as with the Open and Elite events, isnt
Power trying to reward the better players?] Perry, then, was looking at an additional $475 he could
28

win as opposed to
eighth-seed Brandon
Olson whose 17 rating
points over
Schwartzberg provided
him no advantage.
Perry won the
2350s over Dell
Sweeris, but against the
same field in the AAs
he was knocked out in
the quarters byhe is
everywhereJimmy
Butler. During that
Dell Sweeris
match Perry lost his
Photo by Mal Anderson
composure and vocally
erupted several times. He wasnt happy with the small court that
Perry Schwartzberg
included a power cord connected to a free-standing set of spotlights
outside the barriers (there were 12 of those in use to compensate for the poor overhead lighting).
Nor was he pleased with the table, whose surface had been repainted with a brush. Nor did he like
the tensionless net that practically gave the point to the player who could hit the top of it. And then
there was that slick concrete floor. Ironically, Schwartzberg has wanted to change his reputation as
a conditions-complainer, but, unfortunately, Baton Rouge offered him no reason to compromise his
standards. The bottom line for Perry is that good conditions are necessary to produce good table
tennis.
I interrupt Tom as he moves to conclude his article, for I want to place here Perry
Schwartzbergs apropos Letter to the Editor (SPIN, March, 1985, 4):
I would like very much to apologize for my rude and unsportsmanlike behavior that I
unfortunately exhibited during the Louisiana Open last month. Although I tried very hard to keep my
temper in check, the pressures of combative table tennis combined with the inherent frustrations of
this particular tournament once again took its toll.
Though I take sole blame for my actions, these actions came about in large part due to the
unnerving circumstances beyond my control. First, the enormous amount of time spent in the playing
hall (at least 24 hours) weakened both my mental and physical capacities. This amount of time is
due to a lack of time-scheduling whereby one must sit and wait to hear ones name over the P.A.
system. In my view, a very inconsiderate system.
Second, my poor performance at the table. This was due to the time-lag problem as well as
to the shoddy repainted tables I found repulsive, the bad lighting, and the slick cement floors that
contributed to my frustrations. All of this while playing for significant amounts of prize money
continued to increase the pressure on the players. Welcome as the increased amount of prize money
was, it did not, as some would have us believe, justify the playing conditions.
Third, a gross mismanagement of the draws somehow pitted the strong players against the
strong and the weak players against the weak. Can this be a fair method to determine the best
players in an event?
29

And, finally, the most frustrating occurrence of all, after more than a dozen years of playing
tournaments in the Baton Rouge area, I note very few improvements, if any. All in all, a very
frustrating affair: no pageantry, no glamour, no fun.
Again, please accept my apology for my rude behavior. I am more angry at letting my
temper get the best of me than I am in losing. But then again, maybe the two are somehow
intrinsically connected, maybe even one and the same.
Tom now moves to his conclusion:
B.K.
Arunkumar and
Ricky Seemiller
might make the
best real match
exhibition team in
the USTTA. Its
practically
guaranteed
theyll go to
deuce in the fifth
while putting on
B.K. Arunkumar
an enjoyable
offensivedefensive show. In terms of their match record against one
another thus far, it is guaranteed that chopper Kumar will win.
Ricky Seemiller
Poor Ricky, he comes so close to victory each time (15
matches now?),*** but Kumar has got his number, or at least
his loop. Still, before every tournament where they share the same side of the draw, the Ricky
Seemiller-optimism surfaces with the confident statement, Im ready. Players like to tease him with
something like, Look out, B.K., hes ready for you again. You already know that Kumar made the
final four and of course you can guess who he beat deuce in the fifth to get there.
Tournament Director Power Poon and
his staff worked hard to produce the USTTAs
richest club-sponsored tournament in the
country, but the problems created by the
conditions and large number of participants
competing in 22 events cast a dark shadow
over the competition. Theres no reason for the
competitive sky to remain overcast, however, provided winds of change are
allowed to blow freely. Hopefully, Power and friends will reevaluate their climactic
conditions and produce a forecast for next year that predicts nothing but sunny
skies.
Power Poon
In addition to Schwartzbergs Letter there followed two othersone short, one long.
Heres Sue Butler, Jimmys mom. (She saw his match with Perry?):
I think the [Wintrich] Louisiana article is one of your best efforts. It is interesting, wellwritten, and hits the problems as well.
30

Heres Power Poons:

I read your article and Mr. Perry Schwartzbergs Letter concerning the $10,000 Louisiana
Open. As the chairman of the tournament, I feel obligated to tell you that I feel embarrassed,
humiliated, and depressed. I wonder if this is the reward to the entire staff of the Baton Rouge Table
Tennis Club for hosting Louisiana Open tournaments year after year.
I found nothing but bad remarks in your article. Furthermore, I was shocked to see that as
editor you were irresponsible enough to print Mr. Schwartzbergs inaccurate Letter (more on that
later). Some of your accusations were correct and improvements will be made. However, do you
not honestly believe that you were being too harsh, unfair, and overly critical?
For ten years I have been the tournament director of the Louisiana Open. My goal is to
promote and improve table tennis as much as possible. To help reach this goal, the staff and I gave
$10,000 in prize money, more than ever before. In earlier tournaments, the nearest motel was seven
miles away. This year the tournament hotel was within walking distance. These are obvious
improvements. But in striving for the best, there are always limitations and obstacles. I admit the
playing conditions did not meet the standards of the fantasy tournament, but give us a break: you
well know that the conditions were not as bad as you reported!
In your article you remarked, As in Louisiana Opens of the past, there was again two
separate events for the top players, which has been Tournament Director Power Poons traditional
solution to the ITTFs $600 prize money limit in one event. However, with the tournament running
late, the format backfired on Poon.
Contrary to your beliefs, the system did exactly what we wanted it to do. It gave a top
player an opportunity to earn $1100 and Manmeet Singh did just that. It was entirely up to the
players involved whether one match will count for two events. In this case, Danny Seemiller and
Rey Domingo elected to play twice, while Singh and Danny Seemiller chose to play once. It did not
backfire; it worked out fine. [Power, I dont think Tom (even though he used the word backfire)
was criticizing the format itself; it backfired (in a manner of speaking) because of extenuating
circumstancesSingh having to catch a plane).]
As to the remark of running late, I must state my strong disagreement. The tournament was
a two-day event, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Saturday and breaking at 8:30 p.m. Saturday (one hour
before the scheduled break time). It continued from 9:15 a.m. Sunday until 5:45 p.m. Sunday (15
minutes before the scheduled end of the tournament). Is this too late?
Mr. Schwartzbergs Letter contained an erroneous comment stating that the enormous
amount of time spent in the playing hall (at least 24 hours) weakened both my mental and physical
capacities. With the large assumption that Mr. Schwartzberg can still add, he should discover that
the most any player would have had to stay in the playing hall was 20 hours. As for Mr.
Schwartzberg in particular, the most time he would have had to stay in the playing hall was only 14
hours. Additionally, keep in mind that every player was allowed to check out any time he (she) desired.
Your statement concerning the nets and tables tended to imply that all the nets were loose
and all the tables were repainted. The truth, however, was that only one net was loose (new from a
different company). All the others were good Stiga Clipper nets. There were four repainted tables
which we had to use because four of the better ones were stolen a few days before the tournament.
[Why, though, was Perry, with his reputation as a conditions-complainer, playing at one of only four
repainted tables with the only loose net at the tournament? That doesnt make sensefrom the
beginning it shouldnt have been acceptable to either Perry or Power.]
Many times in your article you commented about the slick concrete floor at our tournament.
The wax on the floor was not nearly as bad as you described: When you werent up at the table at
31

the Louisiana Open venue you were automatically at a disadvantage as the concrete floor had been
waxed the night before. You seem to think that someone could have broken a leg just walking onto
or off the court. None of the top-seeded players complained to me about it (a wet towel during play
solved the problem).
You also stated in your article that Mr. Schwartzberg wasnt happy with the small court that
included a power cord connected to a free-standing set of spotlights outside the barriers. Small
court? The size of that court was 30 feet wide by 34 feet long (other courts were 20 feet wide by
34 feet long with barriers.) The plug was not in the way. It was in a corner of the playing area. I do
not see why you mentioned the plug, for no harm ever resulted from it.
I thank the editor for giving me a chance to express my side of the story; however, I do not
appreciate the misleading, inaccurate reporting of the tournament. This sort of reporting is not
constructive criticism. It is an outright degrading of the tournament. Perhaps the editor is trying to
end the running of tournaments that do not meet the fantasy tournament standards. If he succeeds,
there will never be another table tennis tournament, for tournament directors will not take this sort of
criticism for long. Hopefully, the editor will end this practice of false reporting in the near future,
because it is definitely not what this sport needs. I feel that I have adequately cleared up the many
falsehoods printed in the March issue of SPIN magazine.
Powers long Letter, besides giving Editor Tom Wintrich the opportunity to announce that
from now on SPIN will limit Letters to the Editor to 250 words, drew two responses. The first is
from Tom himself (SPIN, May-June, 1985, 4):
SPIN Apologizes
SPIN regrets if any of its readers considered the March Louisiana cover story as a slight to
the Baton Rouge community. The supporting effort of the Amateur Sports Council of Louisiana
the local organizing committee of the 1985 National Sports Festivalwas responsible for obtaining
$2,000 in tournament sponsorship from private business. In addition, plane fare and hotel room
discounts were arranged by the Council as well as complimentary rooms for officials and a
reception for the players on Saturday night. SPIN publicly acknowledges this groups valuable
contribution to the Louisiana Open and offers its sincere thanks for its work on behalf of table
tennis.
And heres President Boggans:
Thanks, Power
Rather than remain indifferent to the recent comments in SPIN regarding Power Poons
Louisiana Open last spring, I would like to repeat here in brief what I said immediately after the
tournament in a letter to Power.
I want to express my thankshere my public thanksto him for building up over the years
his now $10,000 Open. This took work and a lot of heart. Although I myself had some reservations
about this last tournament and expressed them to Power as I would hope many of his longtime loyal
workers did, I think the USTTA as represented by my E.C. owes him a debt of gratitude. I know I
want to assist him in future tournaments he runs in any way that I can.
Florida State Closed winners at Orlando Jan. 26-27: Championship Singles: 1. Dennis
Brown. 2. Greg Gingold. Womens: 1. Olga Soltesz. 2. Bev Patterson. Championship Doubles:
Dickie Fleisher/Brown over Bard Brenner/Rigo. As: 1. Jorn Tandberg. 2. Scott Rousky. Bs: 1.
Scott Beauregard. 2. Al Millet. Cs: 1. Rudy Zarrabian. 2. Al Shears. Ds: 1. Shears. 2. Larry Beal.
32

Es: 1. George Ignace. 2. Rick Kadin. Novice: 1. Wah

Tse. 2. Jack Eckhardt. Seniors: 1. Ed Oliver. 2. Randy
Hess.
Howard County Circuit Director Yvonne
Kronlage (SPIN, Feb. 22, 1985) reports on another (Jan.
20th) of her Columbia, MD tournaments:
Even though the weather was terrible, all entrants
showed up save six. We really appreciated that the
competition was supported on such a windy day.
The 50-50 raffle was won by Martin Staehlin,
and, no, it wasnt fixedMarty simply pulled his own
winning ticket out of the box.
Few juniors showed up and perhaps our
scheduling
is wrong. Next tourney were playing the
Florida Closed
Florida Closed Mens
Womens
Finalist Greg Gingold juniors in the afternoon so those going to church will have
Photo by Mal Anderson time to play afterwards. Thanks to the Emmons family, we
Champion
Olga Soltesz
had some baked goods for sale to benefit the Junior Fund.
Congratulations to Brian Masters for winning the
Open Singles and the U-3800 Doubles withit must be his dayMartin
Staehlin. Brian came away with $160 in prize money. Parviz Mojaverian was
runner-up in the Open ($110). Third was Barry Dattel; fourth Stan
Smolanowicz. The U-2000s went to Larry Hodges ($67) over Lance Falce
($46). Third was Keith Minnick; fourth Dave Strang.
Following are the current Circuit Point standings: 1. Barney Reed
(50). 2. Barry Dattel (50). 3. Don Garlinger (46). 4. Peter March (44). 5.
Humilde Prudencio (41). 6. Steve Emmons (41). 7. Tom Steen (41). 8. Jeff
Harris (30). 9. Keith Minnick (28). 10. Ming Nguyen (28). 11. Larry
Hodges (26). 12. Hank McCoullum (24).
The Westfield Club reported back-to-back tournaments, naming their
Opens after longtime New Jersey t.t. supporters. Here are the results of the
Jan. 12-13 John Kilpatrick Open:
Open Singles RR: 1. Rey Domingo. 2. George Cameron. 3. Barry Dattel. 4.
Shun Mok. Womens: 1. Kalavathi Panda. 2. Vicky
Parviz Mojaverian
Wong. Open Doubles: Cameron/Mok over Tim Boggan/
Brian Eisner, -22, 19, 13, then over Domingo/Wong, 15,
-19, 11. Esquires: John Kilpatrick over Marcy Monasterial, 16, 19. Seniors:
Bill Sharpe over Boggan, 15, 17. U-17s: Rajiv Dosi over Henry Ong, 12, 16.
U-13s: Ong over Donald Ma, 15, 9. U-11s: 1. Brian Ertel. 2. Craig Karnis.
U-2250s: Dattel over Sharpe, 19, 19, -13, 15. U-2075s: Boggan
over Panda, -16, 18, 22, then over Monasterial, 17, 15, 7, after Marcy had
squeaked by Billy Lipton, -14, 19, 18. U-1975s: Marius Wechsler, -23, 19,
10, over Doon Wong whod eliminated Lipton, -16, 19, 18. U-1875s:
Wechsler over Mark Vrabel, 15, -13, 14. U-1875 Doubles: Mike Rose/
Wechsler over Vrabel/Ahmet Kaya, -21, 18, 16. U-1775s: George Holz over
George Holz
Kaya, 20, 20. U-1625s: Ahmed Guketlov over Peppi Prasit, 12, 13. U-1625
Photo courtesy of
Doubles: Al Moreau/Tony Gegelys over Dan Dickel/White, -16, 13, 16. UBarry Dattel
33

1475s: Prasit, 19, 18, over Jerry Epstein whod eliminated Mark Schmoockler, 19, -17, 17. U1325s: Simon Tam over Peter March, 9, 21. U-1175s: David Rockir over Howard Teitelbaum,
17, 18. U-1025s: Teitelbaum over Mike Sinder, 14, -18, 17.
Results of the Feb. 16-17 Bob Barns Westfield Open directed by George Hellerman: Open
Singles: Dominican Raymundo Fermin over Barbadian Robert Earle, 14, 16, -18, -20, 13, after
Robert had advanced over Steven Mok, 20, -22, 23, 15. Open Doubles: Earle/Mok over Bill
Sharpe/Michael Henry, 11, 13. Esquires: Barnsits his tournamentover Ray Sprague, -13, 21,
14, then over Harold Kupferman, -16, 22, 13. Seniors: George Brathwaite over Sharpe, 13, 10.
U-17s: Ovidiu Nazarbechian over Benjamin Lu, 16, 7. U-13s: Henry Ong, 12, 17, over Donald
Ma whod bested Allen Ma (his brother?), 5, -17, 18.
U-2300s: Mok over Brian Eisner, 16, 15, 13. U-2025s: Harvey Gutman over Billy Lipton,
13, 15. U-1925s: Rich Sosis over Melvin Maxwell, 16, 17. U-1825s: Ron Luth over Joe
Campbell, 15, 14. U-1825 Doubles: Cox/Lloyd Nesfield over Mark Kane/Luth, 16, -16, 18. U1725s: Guenther Schroeder over Don Franks, 8, 17, 15. U-1575s: Sam Joyner over Peppi Prasit,
20, -5, 15, then over Ahmed Guketlov, 21, 23. U-1575 Doubles: Vladimir Lojko/Norman Haase
over Rich Lewis/Tony Gegelys, 9, 6. U-1425s: David Schultz over Dennis Spellman, 17, 12. U1275s: George Chranewycz over Simon Tam, 8, 14, after Simon had outlasted David Rockir, -12,
17, 23. U-1125s: Bob Agrawal over Mario Lozada, -12, 22, 20. U-975s: Leona Joyner over
Don Ma, -10, 14, 17. Unrated: Ken Pecota over Jack Jakub, 11, 11.
Results of the 3rd Annual MIT Open, played Jan. 27 at Cambridge, MA: Rick Seemiller
over Rey Domingo, -20, 10, -18, 16, 17. U-2300s: Stephen Mok over Dave Shapiro, def. U2200s: Shapiro over Kok Liung, 4, -17, 16. U-2100s: Shapiro over Maximo Vasquez, def. U2000s: Chi-Sun Chui over Liung, 20, 22, after Liung had knocked out Jiri Hlava, 10, 16. [Jiri
doesnt look so good herebut come the new millennium hell go on to win at least half a dozen
combined U.S. National Over 50/Over 60 Singles Championships.] U-1900s: Hoang Do over
Marta Zurowski, 15, 10, 27. U-1800s: Sym Gallucci over James Davidson, 12, -9, 19. U-1700s:
Do d. Jim Warren, 12, 9, 16, after Jim had stopped Michael Klein, 21, -19, 19. U-1600s: Jerry
Mahoney over Michael Miller, 17, 22, -19, 14. U-1500s: Donald Desmarais ovr Michael Taylor,
14, 15, 19. U-1400s: John Lohfeld over Tim Kelly, 17,
21. U-1300s: Richard Gordon over David Yee, 12, 16.
U-1200: Robert Ross, 21, 11, over Richard Hancock
whod advanced over Ray Gallucci, 25, 20. U-1100s:
Bruno Kraska over Thomas Byrnes, 15, 18, 16.
Manmeet Singh, a member of the Indian Team
to the 81 and 83 Worlds, won the $400 top prize at
the Jan. 25-26 Montreal Open, held at the plush Tennis
13 Club in suburban Laval.
Singh was formerly ranked #13 at the Asian
Tim Kelly
Games and is now in North America on a five-year
Photo by Mal Anderson
tourist visa. Man, I said, being here means playing
T.T.but what the hell else do you do all day?I watch television, he said with a touch of Peter
Sellers irony.
In the Open final, Singh wreaked straight-game revenge on Torontos Joe Ng who in
Saturdays warm-up Mens Singles semis had come from behind to defeat Manmeet in five. Ng
had then gone on to claim his $100 first prize with a victory over fellow Canadian Horatio (Hory)
34

Pintea. Yes, I know, said Hory, the rallies werent too good. I
dont know why, but we never seem to play well against each
other.
Although many-time Canadian Womens Champ Mariann
Domonkos lost the AA Singles final to Bert Flisberg, she did, as
expected, win the Womens. However, in the doubles she lost both
close finals. In the Womens, she and Gloria Hsu were 18, -16, 19 upset by Thanh Mach and Becky McKnight; and in the Mixed
she and Pintea went down to Ng and Hsu, 19, 22. In the Womens
final, Mariann did 13, 16, -17, -19, 16 defeat an often smiling,
often stubborn Mach, victor over Hsu in five in the semis. These
three Canadian women teammates had just returned from the
Welsh Open in Cardiff where theyd lost a best-to-forget team tie
to the English (three deuce-game swings in the singles, a 19-in-the3rd doubles).
Bert Flisberg
From Canadas 20/20
Bad luck, you say? Not when you listened to Mariann talk
grimly of the recent horror accident in Europea wheel came off a
speeding taxi and the resultant crash took the life of the #1 Norwegian womens player and made a
paraplegic of their #1 mens player.
The unending plane, train, car, and bus rides make for an occupational hazard that all
internationalists have to live with. The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg in Gatsby le magnifique stared
not only at Singh watching his Montreal TV but also at the four U.S. playersDanny Seemiller,
George Brathwaite, Scott Boggan, and me, Scotts fatherwhod made their snow-struck way up
the map to here as well.
We all came pretty much at the irresistible urging of Coordinator du tournoi
Mitch Rothfleischand here an accompanying tip-of-the-cap to his assistants,
among whom were Papa Eric Rothfleisch, Eddie Renaud, and Paul Rozier. I
hasten to say that without Mitchs impish diligence there wouldnt have been a
Canadian Circuit stop here this weekend. And that would have been a pity, for
every competitor in the States should have such a site as we were graced with
(showers, sauna, restaurant, bar, and soft lounge chairs that made it so
comfortable for us to watch the play as we looked through the large glass
windows overlooking the courts below).
CTTA Technical Director Adham Sharara take note; not only did Mitch
upset National Team member Bao Nguyen, but he worked so hard and was
just so uber-ubiquitously on and off-court that he seemed to, like,
Mitch Rothfleisch floatweightlesslyeverywherefull of it all with his fun puns and ballooning
spirit.
My game went Happy Hour down with the Saturday sunof course I had no chance in the
Mens and the Open, but I also lost in the semis of the As to Yvan Dolan, 15, -19, -18, who went
on to beat Stephane Charbonneau, 19 in the 3rd, in the final. Norman Gauthier won the 2100s
from Rene Lewandowski in a -19, 20, 19 thriller. And the 2000s went to Pierre Parulekar in
straight games over Tony Kiesenhoffer.
As for two of the other Americans, Danny and Scott, their lack of practice showed. In the
Saturday Mens, Danny was in early trouble against Alain Bourbonnaisbut, though the Canadian
internationalist was up 1-0 and 20-19 in the second, not even Paul Normandins coaching could
35

save him. However, Seemiller could not escape again: for the first time in his career, he lost to
Pintea, in five. Said Danny, I took three weeks off after the U.S. Nationals and had planned to
start getting in shape this past week with Ricky, but it got so cold at home in our training barn
steam was coming out of our mouthswe couldnt practice.
Scott, whod been in Hawaii, and had played only once since the Nationals, lost in the
Mens, 19, 3, 13, to Ng. Said Scott, Its no fun to play when you dont practice and so dont play
well. How true. Well, hed just have to responsibly get his fun some other way.
Saturday evening, however, Danny and Scott did manage to win the Mens Doublesover
Singh and Brathwaite whod taken out the favored team of Ng/Pintea. But earlier The Chief had
another of his marathon wins23-21 in the fifthover Canadian Team aspirant Chris Chu. That
Chris Chu, said George musinglyhe hit everything in. Uh-huh. Everything but the last point.
On Sunday, after a catch-up nights sleep, Scott flashed out a quarters win over Canadian
Champ Pintea. Hory, who in the Welsh Open had a nice victory over Alan Cooke, Englands #2, is
not only playing 2 hours a day, six days a week, but is also taking Phys. Ed courses toward a
degree at the University of Ottowa. Maybe he could use a little rest too? Maybe some of Bernice
Rothfleischs chicken soup?
In the one semis, Singhs steady, varied repertoire of shots (particularly a short, quick
backhand half-block/half-counter) was too much for Scotts flamboyant racketwhich from the
first few points on was literally flying and falling all over the court, once exhilaratingly accelerating
with the whizzing ball past the nose of the startled Singh.
Manmeet, by the way, had had his own control troubles in the quartershad just gotten by a
sometimes fired-up Bourbonnais in five. Earlier, Alain himself had barely eked out a 23-21 deciding-game
win over Maccabiah Games qualifier Andrew Giblon when Andrews inadvertent (finger spin? double
hit?) serve at deuce slid nervously off Alains racket and the point had to be played over.
In the other Open Singles semis, Danny just had too much of a problem starting against Ng,
who himself hasnt the best self-improvement situation in the worldhas only Derek Wall to keep
fit with, and younger junior star Peter Ng to drill and play games with.
Indeed, most of the players up and down North America have to take their practice when
they can. Although Danny said he didnt expect to do well here he had to come. Next week he
leaves for Japan to defend his Western Japan Open title, and after that theres Power Poons
$10,000 Louisiana Open.
You know what the USTTA needs? said Danny. A system something like the Canadians
havewhere the best U.S. players are paid a salary, weekly or monthly, to go to a decent training
center where they can practice intensely before important tournaments. [Lake Placid Training
Centerthats your cue.] Its important psychologically for the players to take breaks. After all the
hours theyve logged, it wont take them that long to come back and get their games sharp. But the
best of us suffering from poor practice situations need support from our now financially solvent
Association.
SELECTED NOTES.
*I found out from Mel Eisner that thered be a Team Trial in Cleveland, Ohio, Mar. 17th, to
decide who would represent the U.S. at the July Maccabiah Games in Tel Aviv, Israel. However,
though Id authorize $300 assistance, Id see no results as to which players would represent us, or
afterwards how our Team did in Tel Avivthat is, until I noted, not in SPIN, which remained mute,
but in Canadian Andrew Giblons write-up of the tournament in the Fall, 1985 Ontario TTA
Update, for included there were some U.S. results. Later, Ill share Andrews article with you.]
36

**Otto Wenk, in these next few years, would be getting some good press. Heres the
Arkansas Democrats Beth Dempsey giving us (Jan. 7, 1990) some background on him:
A native of East Germany, Wenk [born 1913] was taken by the Americans as a prisoner of
war during World War II. His fluency in three languages led to him working for the Americans. In
1950, he moved to the United States and found his way to Little Rock shortly after. Upon his
arrival, Otto found a room at the Central Branch of the Young Mens Christian Association and
became an avid supporter of the organization.
He worked for 23 years as the administrative assistant to the dean of the College of
Pharmacy at what is now the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences campus before retiring in
1978.
Wenk is known for having won numerous speaking awards as
a member of the Toastmasters International [hes been District 43
Governor]. And even better known for having won many awards in
his specialty sport: race-walking. [His best time ever for the mile?
Nine minutes, 6.03 seconds. ] One of the mementoes he values most
is his Presidential Sports Award certificate signed by President Gerald
Ford.
At 76, Wenk still can be found on the Ys tracks and exercise
floors almost every morning.
A few years earlier, hed told another reporter, Deborah
Glover, his theory to keep his youth is to exercise his body, mind,
and soul. Everything is from God, he says. God teaches us our
body is our temple, and we should keep it in order. Winning races
has motivated Wenk to continue participating in sports, of which table
tennis is one. Walking, though, is his sportits the best sport
because its the easiest. He has won many races in Europe, as well as
the Senior Olympics in Arkansas and California. [Also, in the
upcoming 1985 World Masters Games in Toronto, hell walk away
another winner.]
***Arunkumar, we learnthanks to a Jan. 7, 1981 article
that appeared in a local Bangalore, India newspaper given to me by
Otto Wenk
Norfolk, VAs Dana Hansontook up table tennis despite the fact
From Arkansas Pharmacist,
that his father, Kapinipathi, was a famous tennis player. And hed
Sept., 78
done alright during a six-year (somewhat impeded) t.t. career in India
beginning in 1974 when he was the Junior runner-up at the Asian Championships and in 1975 when
he represented India at the Calcutta Worlds.
But his role as the only top-class defensive table tennis player in the country, a
personification of sheer grace and artistry, had come to an end. In January, 1981, he left India to
come to the U.S. and, as weve seen for four years now, continued to play tournament matches
against our top players, like, wellRicky Seemiller.
But Arun has always had other things on his mindwhich will explain why we wont be
seeing him for a year or so. As he told that Bangalore reporter, he came to the States determined
to carve out for himself a decent career, a materially well-off future.Ill be nowhere in life if I just
continue in the Game. [Ah, yes, a realization so many of us inevitably come to. Hence Kumars
engineering studies, and now, at 26, a job that can start him on his way.]
37

Chapter Three
1985: Danny Wins Fourth Western Japan Open. 1985: SPINs Final Installments of
Sue Butlers 1984 Ping-Pong Diplomacy Dinner in Beijing. 1985: European Tournaments.
1985: Canadians Win Medals at Commonwealth Championships. 1985: Sports Illustrated
Spotlight on Eric Boggan.

Ill begin here by following up on my last chapters reference to Danny

playing in his annual Western Japan Open. Butterflys Dick Yamaoka again does
the honors (SPIN, Apr., 1985, 14):

Dick Yamaoka
From SCI Bulletin,
May, 1988

How big is a Western Japan Open? asked Zoltan

Berczik, former Head Coach of the World Championship
Hungarian Team, now working for the Tamasu Co. Hed
entered this tournament (the Veterans event)the first one
hed played in for the last 16 years.
About 1,500 playersll participate, said our Danny

Seemiller.
It cant be, said Berczik. I was in Yanai before and I know its a
small town.
It is, said Danny. But they draw so many players they have to use
three halls for the tournament.
This conversation was taking place on the Shinkansen, the bullet train that
carried us from Tokyo to Hiroshima on February 9th. As we went on to Yanai, still
quite a distance by train away, Berczik and Seemiller continued their lively talk on
Zoltan Berczik
all aspects of table tennisDanny particularly was in good spirits.
About six hours later, however, I detected a noticeable change in Dannys appearance.
Obviously he wasnt feeling well. He tried his best to hide his discomfort, but without success. He
closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat wearily.
When we arrived in Yanai, he managed to keep his composure until settled in his hotel. But
when I visited him a little later in his darkened room, I found that hed gone straight to bed and
seemed to want to stay there. That night he threw up several times and did not eat dinner. It
appeared he might not be able to play.
Next day the tournament started with doublesand Seemiller was there. His partner was
Suetsugo, a college player who, like Danny, was a lefthander. I have seen Danny play with another lefty
only onceand that was with Stipancic of Yugoslavia in this same tournament three years ago. Stipancic
is known for his excellent backhand, but has powerful shots off both wings and can put a ball away from
either side. Suetsugo is slender and quick on his feet. But he has a weak backhand and has to cover a lot
of ground with his forehand. His style is very familiar to the Japanese and his shots were often returned
and sometimes even countered. Quite often he could not end the rallies. [How did Seemiller, an annual
celebrity and favored singles contender, get paired up with this not too strong college player?]
38

As I see it, the strongest point in Dannys

Ricky and Danny Seemiller
doubles play is his ability to maneuver for a setup. Danny
and brother Ricky have won many doubles titles. You
have probably seen Ricky bang the ball in hard many
times as if he were the one whod win their matches
single-handedly. Yet the credit should be given to Danny
for setting up those shots. Danny is the chance-maker,
Ricky the executor. That familiar pattern did not work in
this partnership. In order for Suetsugo to play his game
he had to move a lot. This also meant that Danny had to
move a lot, and footwork is not Dannys strong point.
Danny had to play the role of executor quite often.
Instead of showing their strong points, they played
doubles by covering their weak points. This was certainly
not the winning style. They lost in the semis to the
eventual winners, Nagase and Kawasaki.
It appeared, though, that the doubles play gave
Seemiller a new stroke. Normally against a short chop,
Danny pushes it back carefully. However, in the doubles
he was forced to attack firsteven against a short ball that he would not normally open off ofand
he had a high rate of success. Once Suetsugo served a series of short balls, and against the short
returns Danny killed five straight; and a couple of other times he got four balls in for four points. He
must have fensive mind he could get more points. This helped him in the singles matches the next
day.
Seemiller was expected to win the tournament. It was his seventh appearance here and the
other players had analyzed his style well and were gunning for him. They played their best matches
against Danny, and came at him in three ways.
They attacked Danny deep to his forehand corner. He cant cover that corner well because
for a shake-hands player he stands at the backhand side of the table. When he managed to get his
racket on the ball [many times he couldnt even do that?], it was not an effective shot and they
jumped on it.
They successfully exchanged drives with Danny. Often his opponents returned spin-drives
so that he could not hit hard. When he blocked, they top-spinned the ball back a little harder each
time, and so maintained control.
They let Danny push first and then attacked his push. When Danny sees two ways of
handling a shot, instinctively or not, he chooses the safer way. Against a short chop, he pushes it
back. When his push is short, they push it back short. When his push is a shade long, they attack.
Since his opponents had faster footwork, they opened first more.
[So how, if his opponents can play like this against Danny, does he win?]
In the quarters, Seemiller played Odono who practiced these three attack strategies well.
Odono varied his serves, mixing in cross-court fast backhand ones that passed Danny. When
Odono attacked first, he put his topspin to Dannys backhand, then attacked his forehand. He also
jumped on Dannys anti-pushes. (In the last two years, many penholder players have begun using a
combination racket and so are familiar with anti shots and have adjusted to them.)
Also, Odono was anticipating that Seemiller would hit to his backhand, so when Danny did
that, Odono slammed the ball back hard with his backhand with surprising consistency. Often
39

Odono served short, and when Danny pushed the ball back short, Odono pushed it back long to
Dannys backhand side. Odono then waited with his big forehand for Dannys push return. With the
Seemiller grip, it was difficult to push the ball back with a sharp angle and Odono knew this. He
attacked every one of Dannys second pushes. If Danny moved to his backhand and top-spinned,
Odono blocked the ball back quick to the forehand.
Odono moved and attacked. He played a near perfect first game and led 19-11. Everyone
thought the game was over. Odono played conservatively with this lead and Seemiller played as if
there was no pressure on him. When the score went to 20-13 Odonos favor, Danny was thinking
only attack and he came back to deuce the game. It was a see-saw battle until Danny won it, 2523. This was the greatest comeback I have ever seen.
The second game started differently. Danny came out aggressively and shocked Odono
while establishing a comfortable lead at 17-13. Danny must have sensed victory, but perhaps
unconsciously he began to play conservatively, and Odano tied it up at 18-all. But then Seemiller
took the offense again and barely won this match-deciding game, 21-19.
Dannys semis opponent was Nishimura, a tall, left-handed offensive top-spinner. Danny
does not like to play this type of player for two main reasons: (1) Most lefthanders have outside spin
drives while Dannys are inside/outside, like with a golf ball thats been sliced. That is, as Danny
swings his forehand, his left shoulder turns to the right while his elbow stays close to his body.
When I see him play I cant help but recall the forehand swing of tennis pro Jimmy Connors.
If there is a weakness to Connors game it would be his forehand stroke. Because of the swing, the
shot is slightly unsteady. The same can be said about Dannys forehand. A hooked drive breaking to
the outside forces Danny to cover his forehand corner more. And the wide forehand is one of his
weak points. Danny exposes his weakness more against a lefthander than he does against a
righthander. [This is a strange How to Beat, er, Almost Beat Danny Seemiller article: again and
again the emphasis is on how Dannys opponents recognize his weaknesses, how they score against
himbut then its Danny who without much explanation advances against them.]
Then theres a leftys
backhand. Generally, a lefthander is
strong on the backhand side and
Dannys shots are less effective
against him. Nashimura attacked
Dannys forehand corner, causing
Danny to move more toward the
center of the table to cover the play
to his forehand. Within the rallies
Danny used his anti to alter the pace
of the ball. His anti shots were so
dead that Nishimura couldnt take
the offense, even though he knew the
balls coming at him were hit with
Dannys vulnerable on the forehand
Photo courtesy of Butterfly
anti. Danny won the match two
straight, 16 and 18.
In the other semis, Nagase defeated Hasegawa. Nagase is a penhold twiddler. He uses anti
wellwhich means he knows how to play with and against that kind of rubber.
In their final, the score stayed close in the first game. Nagase played Seemiller differently
than any other player. He returned Dannys anti shots low with a little topspin and placed them well.
40

Against this tactic, Danny often used anti, but Nagase would jump on these returns, often killing
Dannys second anti shot. Danny would then use his sponge more. You could read their minds
clearly by watching their beautiful play. Up 20-18, Seemiller maneuvered to get an easy setup
smashed it hard, but with too much zeal, and missed the game-winner. Danny was irritated and
looked for a power play to finish the game. He worked for a shot, got it, then slammed hard to
Nagases backhand. But Nagase had anticipated this strong shot and countered it back for a
winner. Danny shouted in disbelief, but this type of return is not uncommon in Japan for a class
player. Nagase with a quick attack took this game 22-20.
Danny regained his composure. In the second, he didnt hit two anti shots consecutively. He
was leading comfortably at 18-14, but stopped being aggressive. If asked, Danny would have
answered that he didnt alter his play at all. Yet I saw a subtle change. Slight as it was, it was enough
for Nagase to fight back, to tie the score at 18-all.
Danny was tight, but with sheer guts he hung in there. Nagase was attacking with hard-hit
balls and Danny was not returning them with real power. Nagase got a ball he wanted to kill but
couldnt because it ticked the edge of the table. That was a break for Danny and he won the next
two points to send the match into the deciding third.
And now Danny played like a winner. He used anti
effectively and followed with strong drives. On winning 21-15
he jumped into the air several times, raised his fist in the air,
and entertained the spectators with his famous victory dance.
I have seen Danny win the Western Open four times
and this was his toughest victory. He started out poorly, but by
poorly I dont mean his shots were less powerful. Rather,
when pressed, he would back up and chop a few, choose a
passive approach that would lose him points.
Fortunately for him, as the tournament progressed, he
gradually became aggressiveended up playing as Seemiller
can play. If he centers on playing offense, sets up his shots well
and puts them away calmly and surely, he may surprise a lot of
people at the Gothenburg Worlds.

Danny in one of his victory dances

Sue Butlers Ping-Pong

Diplomacy Dinner
Before moving on to
European play, Im going to add (to
the previous four presented in my
Vol. XII) the remaining installments
(SPIN, Jan., 1985, 18; Feb., 1985,
16; and Mar., 1985, 14) of Sue
Butlers 1984 long dinner
conversation with the Chinese in
Beijing. In attendance was Xu
Yinsheng, President of Chinas TTA,

Sue Butler and Chinese TTA President Xu Yinsheng

Photo courtesy of Sue Butler
41

Xu Shaofa, Chinese Mens Coach, and Chinese World players Cai Zhenhua, Tong Ling, and Geng
Lijuan.
The Chinese players, said Sue to Cai, are so steady and have the ability to play so many
close matches and win most of them that I just wondered, Do you like deuce matches? Do you
play them on purpose? You seem to be involved in so many close games and matches.
Cai laughed. We have confidence in our ability and complete confidence in our coaches. Of
course I dont try to be in close matches, but very often it just seems to work out that way. I have
never in my whole life (at least not yet) lost my confidence during a match. I believe in myself and
am especially supported by the faith my coach has in me.
What do the rest of you tell yourselves when you start to lose confidence? Sue asked.
The players depend on the coaches to help them out if they have a confidence problem
was the consensus. But most really dont feel they have a confidence problem. They get afraid
sometimes, but this is not a matter of losing confidence.
Cai, what are you thinking when youre down maybe 20-12 in the fifth?
Sometimes it crosses my mind that there is no hope, but I quickly tell myself that I always
have a chance.
What accounts for your fighting spirit?
I say its because of my coaches. They are so good and always give me the support I
need.
What
Kjell Johansson
in the old days
From Butterfly TT
did you tell
Report
yourself? Mao
wants me to
have courage?
What did it
mean when
Liang, playing
Swedens
Johansson at
Nagoya in
1971, looked
over to his
coach who
flashed a small
red book?
All the
Chinese
Liang Geliang
thought this
was really funny. I was told, though, that for years during the Cultural Revolution part of the day was
set aside in the training center for political study, and that, until a year ago, players still had to read
out loud and study political dogma an hour a day. The little red book in question could have been a
political book, or maybe it was a notebook in which the coach kept pertinent information. But they
had no idea what it meant when the coach held up the book to Liang, and they couldnt remember
the incident at all. I think they would have told me if there was anything more to it. President Xu did
42

say that maybe the coach wanted Liang to

remember what was recorded in the notebookif
that is what the red book signified. [Sue refers
indirectly to my first-hand account of this held up
notebook in my Vol. V (1971-1972), Chapter
Three, p. 33. When this incident occurred in
Swaythling Cup play, Liang was down 1-0 and 1712 to Johansson, but then after the notebook was
raised he rallied to win the game and the match.]
What are your feelings about biorhythms?
Sue asked the group. How do you stay fresh for
important matches and reach your peak
performance levels at the proper times?
Tim Boggan
The Chinese didnt really have much to say
about this. They did say that they have so many
good players, and that new young ones are coming up all the time and are always ready to compete.
President Xu added that of course the Chinese players cant be 100% all the time. We get down
too, he said.
I seldom see a Chinese player lose three straight, said Sue. Is that because your level is
so high? How do your players always perform so well?
Players have a responsibility to play well when it counts and we have such a support group
for them, said President Xu. The individual can never achieve anything on his own. It takes a
collective effort to accomplish our goal. This has always been our philosophy.
Do you approve of individuality in sport? A specialized style is hard to play against. Do you
encourage this? How is the individual spirit brought into complementary synchronization with team
spirit? Do you have trouble with players who have very free spirits and so have to try to get them to
be team players without breaking their spirit?
The Chinese really liked these questions. They all volunteered information. President Xu
said that the coaches try to educate the athlete to be a team player and try to get him to use his
strong character only in competition.
Xu Shaofa [who in 1978 began serving as assistant
coach to, and who in 1983 succeeded Li Furong as head
coach of, the Chinese Mens Team] said the Chinese would
like to have 20-25 players like Cai whom Xu considers the
model of the Chinese player in the future. [Thirty years later,
Cai will have powerful leadership positions in both the China
Olympic Committee and the Chinese TTA.]
I said that I was really surprised at that as Cai has
such a free spirit.
Coach Xu said, Yes, that was true, but he is such a
good team player and is very coachable. We do not
encourage the free spirit, we want a team player. If a player
does not fall into line in a very short period of time, he is
asked to leave the National Training Center.
Along the same line, President Xu added, jealousy
Coach Xu Shaofa
is
also
not
tolerated. If we have a problem, the coaches and
From Italian Tennistavalo, Aug. 1986
43

staff talk to the person involved and try to work it out. You know that virtually all the young players
coming into the National Training Center can beat the older players (the world champions) at will.
However, the younger ones must wait their turn and any effort on their part to move up faster than
the coaches allow is met with disdain.
If a player causing problems does not straighten up immediately, he is asked to leave.
There are so many good players we dont have to put up with the troublemakers. Also, team spirit
is no problem. It has always been present in China. Everything is for team and country. We
train together and help each other all the time. The individual spirit is much harder for us to
develop.
***
Our Association President, Tim Boggan, is impressed with your flexibility, I stated.
President Xu smiled. Thank you. We try very hard to take positive things from different
countries all over the world. We take the fighting spirit from the Americans, the strength and power
from the Europeans, etc. In that way we can improve.
I added, Perhaps you have learned to depend on the individual because of a lack of
technology. [Havent the Chinese indicated theyre not dependent on any one individual but on a
group of individuals, a team?] There are disadvantages to high technology and I think the Japanese
system proves this. The [Japanese?] player is always the result of any program [and thats bad?].
He must be able to think for himself.
It is very interesting that you should
say this, said President Xu, We feel the
same way. We rely on the individual to
make correct decisions at strategic times. If
a player feels that the advice of the coach is
not adequate in a particular situation, he is
told to use his own instincts. [Consider this
a justification for Zhuang Zedong to
reportedly go against orders and, on that
Chinese bus at the 1971 Nagoya Worlds
that our Glenn Cowan had been invited to
board, greet Glenn all Friendship First-like
and so change the world. Seminal PingPong Diplomacy question: WHO (it wasnt
Zhuang), knowing the repercussions that
were sure to follow, authorized that
From Chinese Delegation to 71 Worlds Portfolio of Photos
invitation to Glenn to board that private
Chuang and Glenn - they made friends on the bus
Chinese bus?]
We do not give blind obedience to
coaches as perhaps the Japanesee do, President Xu continued. All our training techniques are
geared toward producing an individual who can make correct decisions quickly.
While we were on the subject of technology, I said, Id like to ask if youre interested in
the non-technical mind for your training programs?
Coach Xu responded at once. We have many people on the staff of the National Training
Center who are not table tennis players. We consider their help and advice just as important as the
coaches and they have very objective views and give new insights.
44

The Chinese are masters of the jab-block, I said.

How old is the penhold player when you introduce it to him/
her? How much emphasis is put on it in practice, and how do
your women develop it to such a high degree?
President Xu laughed. It is impossible to develop that
stroke when the player is young.
He continued, We have not had a penhold fast-attack
junior champion for years. It takes longer to develop this
styletakes years of trainingand a young Chinese player
with our body size cant execute the stroke. We lower the
table for our young players to compensate for the problem.
How much lower? I asked.
Different heights for different-size kids, Coach Xu
Li Ching-Kuang
replied.
From TTT, May/June, 1971
As for the women, said President Xu, they dont
play with the men as much as you might think. They reach their
high level by practicing with each other. Our level is very high and there are always new young
challengers entering the program.
What do you do about recognition for your great players? I asked. Do you have films
and other records of them available to the public, perhaps in a Hall of Fame?
Regrettably, no, said President Xu. We have a few [just a few!] video tapes of course, but
that is recent. We really have very little memorabilia of our great players in the past.
Will a great player be remembered even if he is out of political favor? Does remembrance
change with the political climate?
In the past this has been true, said President Xu, but things are changing. Of course all
current players and coaches remember all our great players from the past as the time span is not that
long back to the mid-fifties. We recognize personal standing, but it is all tied up with the whole team
spirit. This cannot be separated from the general trend of the development of society.
***
Why do the Chinese like table tennis? I asked. Is it because you are good, or you love
the sport?
Everyone began talking at once. The interpreter summarized: We began to love table tennis
when we had our first World Champion. So many of us were in primary school when that happened
and we were filled with admiration and wanted to become champions ourselves.
Who is responsible for overseeing the education of the National Team players? I asked.
President Xu quickly responded: We have different programs worked out for various
players depending on their wishes. This is developed by the Sports Committee and myself.
Why dont you urge players after theyve become good to be professional players like the
Europeans?
The Chinese laughed. President Xu replied: By the time our players have concentrated
intensely on table tennis for perhaps 10 years they are ready to retire. Chinese players have very
definite goals that they work hard to achieve. This determined attitude also comes from the parents.
Did you know that Tong Ling [1981 Womens World Singles Champion] went abroad
when she was 15 and was scared to play all the European women she had heard so much about?
But Tong decided she could beat them all because she had been following all the good examples set
by the older Chinese players and that gave her confidence.
45

Hu Yu-lan, 1973 Womens World Singles Champion, waited until she was in her 30s to
marry. She put aside her personal desires for her country. That is a typical attitude.
This is a very different attitude than we have in the U.S., I said. Its hard for us to
understand how you keep this kind of intensity and dedication for so many years. As a player,
President Xu, did you think about your future, what you might be doing after your playing days were
over? How did you get into administration? Were you groomed for the CTTA Presidency? Can you
answer such a question?
I didnt really think about my future, chuckled President Xu. Does anyone think about
that when he is 20? As for the CTTA, you arent groomed for that as it is a position in which the
Association can remove me at any time.
What quality most helps the player become the administrator? I asked.
President Xu replied quickly, A sense of duty.
Lets talk about the power structure of Chinas TTA, I suggested. How do you resolve
conflicts between liberal and conservative approaches?
President Xu suddenly became very serious. My position with the CTTA, for which I am
not paid anything, is dependent on whether others want to see me continue. My real job is Vice
Minister of Chinas Sports Federation. [As Sue later finds out, this is a lifetime appointment
(retirement age in China is 55-60), and Xu Yinsheng, whos in his early 40s, is the youngest person
ever to hold either office.] The CTTA is a very structured organization right down to the local levels,
and everyone has a voice. We resolve conflicts by much talk, many discussions.
You are a man whose self-worth is tied up with responsible action, I said. If you are faced
with a liberal or conservative choice, which way do you usually decide and why?
President Xu became very quiet. He looked toward the floor but did not seem to focus on
anything. He played with his dinner napkin and didnt immediately respond. Everyone at our table
became curious and began pushing for an answer.
Finally, President Xus eyes met mine. He said many things about discussions, keeping the
best interests of the country in mind, etc. But the Chinese were the ones who finally got a direct
answer from him. Liberal, he said, because that is the way I am. We will see who was right as we
try different techniques and see what works.
How do you keep it together? I asked. Our President, Tim Boggan, quotes poetry. What
do you do?
They all laughed. President Xu smiled. I must meet this Tim Boggan. I think we have much
to talk about. I talk to many different people and get their thoughts and advice before I make a
troubling decision.
Do you have discussions or arguments? I questioned.
A laughing President Xu responded, Both. Time always proves who was right.
Tell us about Tim Boggan. We cant figure out how old he is. He and his sons seem to
represent the type of person who is easily excited. The youngest Boggan doesnt like his father to
coach him. Is that true?
You will be at the World Championships in Sweden. Ask him. Im sure hed be happy to
visit with you.
In your Association, do you try to make use of everyone who wants to help, even if the
interested person is not well-liked or talented?
We have people like that in our country, many of them. If you have any ideas on what to do
with them, let us know, because we cant think of anything either. We usually do not use this kind of
person because he causes too much trouble in the long run.
46

I changed the subject. You must do the thing you think you cant do is a quote from
Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of one of Americas most famous Presidents. How do you handle things
you dont feel you can do? What bothers you most in the line of duty?
Again, I talk to many people I know and respect. They help me to resolve problems and
work through difficult situations. Decisions I make that will affect people are sometimes very difficult
to deal with.
Does it bother you to get questions like this from other Associationsespecially these
American questions? We are more interested in people than political dogma.
President Xu smiled. No one has ever asked me these kinds of questions. No, they dont
bother me. I am enjoying this discussion very much; all of us are. Some of what were saying we
havent expressed before to anyone else.
A waitress came into the private dining room and spoke to President Xu. He turned to me
and said that it was the first time any of them had eaten in this new restaurant. We had stayed two
hours past closing time and the workers wanted to go home. It was clear President Xu had
appreciated the questions Id posed, and, smiling, wanted to know, Were you satisfied with our
answers?
I replied, It is not my place to be satisfied or not satisfied. I am only asking questions.
What is important is that you are satisfied with your answers.
The Chinese laughed and Coach Xu responded first. We only wish we could have gotten
the women to say more. All of us feel very different than we did before dinner. You werent aware,
but as we also talked among ourselves this evening we all realized how similar our thinking is on
many issues. The language barrier is the biggest problem. But for sure it has been a most enjoyable
evening for all of us.
Not just Sue but others in my administration are looking to make nice with the Chinese.
Initially we were very interested in West German Annegret Steffiens intention, sponsorship assured,
of promoting a Chinese Teams multi-city Friendship Tour of the U.S. this spring.
And we thought if the Chinese were here during our $15,000 U.S. Open in Miami the last
week of June they would of course be very, very welcome to play in the tournament, and I indicated
as much in a Jan. 8th letter to Mr. Zuo Shiyong of the China Sports Service Co.
However, after six weeks passed without any specifics from Ms. Steffien regarding this
proposed Tour, I had to send the following Western Union telegram to Mr. Zuo:
Time now to move through the wintry weather to give you the results of several European
Opens and Closeds.
First, the Jan. 16-19 Welsh Open. Mens Team: Final: Poland (3)China (1): Grubba
over Wang Zhanyi, 8, 10; Fan Baozhang over Kucharski, 17, 16; Grubba/Kucharski over
Wang/Fan, 18, 18; Kucharski over Wang, 20, 13. Semis: Poland (3)England (1): Douglas
over Kucharski, 19, -19, 18; Grubba over Prean, 7, -7, 11; Grubba/Kucharski over Douglas/
Prean, 17, 19; Grubba over Douglas, 19, -18, 15. Semis: China (3)Japan (0): Fan over T.
Inoue, 13, 17; Wang over H. Ono, 14, 18; Fan/Wang over Inoue/Ono, -15, 18, 18. Best
quarters: Japan (3)France (2); and Poland (3)Sweden (1). Significant early ties: England
(3)USSR (2): Mazunov over Prean, 19, 13; Douglas over Solopov, 11, 12; Douglas/Prean
over Mazunov/Rosenberg, 19, 18; Mazunov over Douglas, -15, 18, 19; Prean over Solopov,
16, -12, 16. Belgium over USA (walkover for Belgium). Japan (3)Canada (0); Canada
(3)Israel (0).
47

Womens Team: Final: Republic of Korea (3)China (2):

Liu Wei over Lee, 15, 17; Yoon over Han Yan, 15, 17; Lee/Yoon
over Liu/Han, 18, -18, 19; Liu over Yoon, 14, -20, 18; Lee over
Han, -13, 18, 17. Semis: Korea (3)France (0): Lee over
Diachenko, 18, 13; Yoon over Thiriet, 12, 11; Lee/Yoon over
Daviaud/Thiriet, 15, -14, 22. Semis: China (3)USSR (1): Liu Wei
over Kovtun, 19, 7; Han over Diachenko,7, 17; Kovton/Diachenko
over Han/Liu, 19, -9, 17; Liu over Diachenko, 19, 15. Best
quarters: USSR (3)Germany (2). Significant early ties: England
(3)Canada (1): Gordon over Domonkos, 17, 18; Grundy over
Mach, 21, 14; Domonkos/Hsu over Gordon/Grundy, 17, -14, 17;
Grundy over Domonkos, -17, 21, 14. Czechoslovakia (3)Belgium
(2); Germany (3)Poland (2).
Mens Singles: Final: Grubba
over Secretin, -19, 13, 18, 17. Semis:
Chinas Liu Wei
Grubba over Douglas, 12, -19, 15, 15;
Secretin over Fan, 16, -13, -18, 17,
17.
Quarters:
Grubba
over
Birocheau,
14, 10, 13;
Douglas
over Bohm,
18, 19, 13;
Secretin
Englands Joy Grundy
over
From English TT News, Feb 85 Mazunov,
16, 12, 11;
Englands Alison Gordon
Fan over Ono, -19, 10, 13, 16. Best early
Photo by Mal Anderson
matches: Douglas over Inoue, 17, -20, 17, 17, 17; and Mazunov over Englands Andrew, 16, -18, 11, -17, 19.
Womens Singles: Final: Nemes over Han Yan, 19, 19, 9. Semis: Nemes over Grefberg, 18, 16,
14; Han over Kovtun, 10, 14, 14. Quarters:
Frances Mens
Nemes over Daviaud, 9, 15, 20; Grefberg over
Doubles Winners
Liu, 21, -13, 20, -13, 19; Han over Wenzel, Secretin and
Birocheau
19, 10, 11, 15; Kovtun over Olschewski, 14, 12, 19, -17, 10. Best early matches: Nemes in
a gutsy comeback over Yoon, -10, -17, 22,
18, 18; Daviaud over Witt, -19, 19, -15, 12,
16; Olschewski over Bergstrom, 16, -19, -21,
12, 21.
Mens Doubles: Secretin/Birocheau
over Persson/Akesson, 19, -11, 10. Semis:
Secretin/Birocheau over Douglas/Grubba,
48

19, 18; Persson/Akesson over Bohm/Kucharski, -14, 18, 12. Best quarters: Secretin/Birocheau
over Mazunov/Rosenberg, 19, -19, 14.
Womens Doubles: Final: Han/Liu over Lee/Yoon, 12, 13. Semis: Han/Liu over Hong Cha
Ok/Hyun Jung Hwa, -22, 17, 26; Lee/Yoon over Daviaud/Thiriet, 18, 8, -22, 17. Best quarters:
Hong/Hyun over Fukutoma/A. Wada, -16, 19, 9; and Han/Liu over Bergstrom/Johansson, -19, 21,
13.
Mixed Doubles: Final: Park Ji Hun/Hyun over Mazunov/Pelikanova, 15, -18, 11. Semis:
Park/Hyun over S. Bengtsson/Johansson, 18, 10; Mazunove/Pelikanova over Prean/Grundy, 20,
18. Best quarters: Bengtsson/Johansson over Borsos/Nemes, 17, -16, 28; and Mazunov/
Pelikanova over Kucharski/Brzezinska, -12, 21, 19.
Mens Consolation: Rosenbaum over Wright, -20, 14, 9.
Womens Consolation: Herzel, 13, -12, 19, over Higuet whod survived Deltour, -18, 12,
21.
We learn from
an article by Germanys
Rahut Nelson in the
ETTU/AIPS
publication (December,
1985/4, No. 19) that
Andrzej Grubba, now
Europe #1, was born
May 14, 1958 into a
teachers family in
Brzezno. As a boy, he
enjoyed playing
handball, but figured
that because of his
stature he couldnt
become a top player.
So, as late as 1972, he
started to play table
tennisand, not as the
righty he became, but
with his left hand. His brother would play with him, but always sent the ball to my forehand, and
as I was too small to reach it I simply transferred the racket into my right hand so as to hit the ball
with my backhand. Thus was born one of the finest backhand topspins in the world.
Andrzej first became Polish National Champion in 1979, then, after his good friend and
teammate Leszek Kucharski won in 1980, Andrzej continued to hold the title, becoming along the
way Polands Athlete of the Year.
He currently plays in the Bundesliga for TTC Zugbrucke Grenzauwhich entails a sevenhour-long journey (Gdansk-Warsaw-Frankfurt-Grenzau) to every match of TTC Zugbrucke. Since
Andrzejs wife Lucyna can create for him an atmosphere just like the one back home, he often
takes her with him. Now 26, she had 75 caps in Polands national handball team, but today she
dedicates herself fully to the couples 11-month-old son Tomak. Thats more than fine with
Andrzej, since, as he puts it, Family has absolute priority for me.
49

Grubba says, Many people will be surprised by hearing that I often play soccer. Many
coaches are opposed to that, but I dont careI dont mind risks. During the past 10 years that
Ive played soccer Ive never suffered a major injury. In order to relax before major matches, he
prepares, going by car when he can, driving two to three hours usually very fast and thats why I
ended up fined several times. Grubba practices five times a week, two workouts of two hours
each, and also does conditional training.

We can see
from the following
Europe Top 12
Top 12 Womens Winner Bettine Vriesekoop
results (a lot of
From World Table Tennis, Oct/Nov 86
players here capable
of beating a lot of other players) how Grubba, who was last
Top 12 Womens Runner-up
years European Mens Singles runner-up to Ulf Bengtsson, has
Szusza Olah
become Europe #1: 1. Grubba (9/2). 2. Pansky (7/4). 3.
From World Table Tennis, July/Aug 86
Appelgren (7/4). 4. Secretin (7/4). 5. Waldner (7/4). 6. Douglas
(7/4). 7. Surbek (5/6). 8. Lindh (5/6). 9. Mazunov (4/7). 10. Kalinic (3/8). 11. Kucharski (3/8).
12. Bengtsson (2/8).
Womens Results: 1. Vriesekoop (11/0). 2. Olah (8/3). 3. Hrachova (8/3). 4. Nemes (8/3).
5. Bulatova (6/5). 6. Popova (5-6). 7. Antonjan (5-6). 8. Batinic (4/7). 9. Perkucin (3/8). 10.
Urban (3-8). 11. Kruger (3/8). 12. Szabo (2-9).
Finishers in the Soviet Union Championships: Men: 1. Dvorak. 2. Solopov. 3.Rozenberg. 4.
Mazunov. 5. Stadnitchenko. 6. Geisman. 7.
Erik Lindh
Podnosov. 8. Ovtcharov. Womens: 1. Bulatova. 2.
From Butterfly TT Report, 5, 83
Vetcherok. 3. Popova. 4. Yavorovskaja. 5.
Zakharian. 6. Timofeeva. 7. Matveeva. 8. Kovalenko.
Mens Doubles: Mazunov/Rosenberg. Womens
Doubles: Vetcherok/Khasanova. Mixed Doubles:
Mazunov/N. Antonjan.
Erik Lindh, Europe #6, won the
(They dont call me #2 anymore)
Swedish Closed by defeating former
World Champion Stellan Bengtsson in
the quarters in four; then several-time
U.S. Open competitor Jonas Berner in
the semis in five; and finally for the title
Jorgen Persson, 24-22 in the fourth.
50

Jorgen Persson
From Italian Tennistavola, Aug. 86

Persson, last years runner-up to Jan-Ove Waldner, downed

Mikael Appelgren, World #6, in straight games in the
quarters, thensweet revengestopped Waldner in the
semis, 13, 19, -14, -22, 16.
Other results: Womens: Barbro Wiktorsson over Pia
Eliasson, 10, 17, 15. Semis: Wiktorsson over Ulrika
Hansson, 11, 9, 18; Eliasson over Lotta Erlman, -23, 19, 14,
-13, 8. Mens Doubles: Persson/Jonny Akesson over Ulf
Bengtsson/Ulf Carlsson, -8, 15, 11. Semis: Person/Akesson
over Appelgren/Michael Frank, -15, 10, 15; Bengtsson/
Carlsson over Lindh/Waldner, 13, 16. Womens Doubles:
Final: Eliasson/Susanne Dahl over Ulla-Marta Gustavsson/
Birgitta Radberg, 14, 18. Semis: Eliasson/Dahl over B.
Martinsson/L. Martensson [Sp.?], 20, 10. Mixed Doubles:
Waldner/Anneli Hernval over Ulf Bengtsson/ Annika Lath, 11, 13, 15.

At the Feb. 14-17 Czech Open, the U.S. team of Eric Boggan and Mike Bush defeated the
Netherlands, 3-1, then lost to Sweden, 3-0with European #3 Waldner downing Eric in a close
three-game match. In singles play, Mike beat a Czech chopper, then lost in five to a South Korean;
while Eric beat English International Graham Sandley before falling in five to 1984 European Champ
Ulf Bengtsson.
Canadas Marie Kerr (OTTA Update,
Spring, 1985, 15-16) reports on the 8th
Commonwealth Championships, held Mar. 17-23,
the week before the Worlds, at Douglas on the Isle
of Man. Go to it, Mariegive us some good North American news:
What a great week of table tennis! The Canadian Mens Team did better than ever,
finishing in 3rd-Place behind England and Hong Kong for the Bronze Medal.
Of course, the highlight of the Championships for me was our own Mariann Domonkos and
Gloria Hsu winning the Womens
Doubles [over Englands Karen Witt/
Canadas Mariann
Domonkos/Gloria
Hsu
Lisa Bellinger, 18, 19, in the semis, then
over Hong Kongs Hui So Hung/Yue
Kam Kai, 19, 17, in the final].
It certainly has paid off having
the Chinese Coach, Mr. Su, these past
three years. Not only was the caliber of
play of these Canadians said to be the
best ever, but their camaraderie was
apparent. A radio station commentator
said he thought the Canadians were the
best group there when it came to
supporting each other.
51

There was a big disappointment in the play, however. Mariann lost to the top English Junior
player, Joanne Shaw. I really felt that if Mariann had won this match, she could very easily have won
the Womens Singles title, especially after her easy two-straight win over Englands Singles
semifinalist Bellinger in the Teams [where Canada finished #4]. However, Mariann did win the
Consolations over Irelands Elizabeth Cheevers.
Lisa Bellinger

Englands Commonwealth Champion Karen Witt

Photo by Mal Anderson

In the Singles, Hsu fell to Hong Kongs Mok Ka Sha

who would lose in the next round to Bellinger. I was fascinated
watching Lisa twiddle her bat most effectivelyit was the first
time Id ever seen a woman do that. Becky McKnight won her first round against a Welsh girl
before losing to Englands Fiona Elliot. And Thanh Mach, after a great win over Indias Puri in the
Teams, forced winner Witt into the fifth in the Singles.
I thought it was very poor taste when during the semis match between Karen Witt and Lisa
Bellinger, Karen got mad and just picked up her table-end quite a few inches off the floor and let it
drop with a bang. Karen also had an incident with an umpire and flung her bat across the court and
into the next one. Mind you, I think she gets away with murder and feel that many of the umpires are
scared of her.
The tournament hotel was first-rate with a disco and a casino downstairs. Most of us had a
little flutter every night. It was good to see Jose Ransome againwe remember her t.t. years in
Canada. Joses first trip to the casino had her winning about $80 at roulette and from then on she
was hooked. Becky McKnight put 10p ($.25) into the slot machine and clatter, clatter, out dropped
100p. The bus tour on the free day was lovelythe Isle of Man is a beautiful place and a tax haven
for the rich. The farewell party was a huge successits so sad that all good things must come to an
end.
Results: Mens: 1. Desmond Douglas. 2. Alan Cooke. 3./4.: David Wells and Lo Chuen
Chung. Womens: 1. Karen Witt. 2. Hui So Hung. 3./4.: Mandy Sainsbury and Lisa Bellinger.
Mens Doubles: 1. Atanda Musa/Francis Sule. 2. Desmond Douglas/Carl Prean. 3./4.: Chiu Man
Kuen (1983 Winner) and Chan Kong Wah; Barry Griffiths and Peter Jackson. Womens Doubles:
1. Mariann Domonkos/Gloria Hsu. 2. Hui So Hung/Yue Kam Kai. 3./4.: Joanne Shaw and Mandy
Sainsbury; Karen Witt and Lisa Bellinger. Mixed Doubles: 1. Desmond Douglas/Alison Gordon. 2.
52

Lo Chuen Chung/Mok Ka Sha. 3./4.: Joe Ng/Gloria Hsu and Horatio Pintea/Mariann Domonkos.
Mens Consolation: 1. Nigel Taylor. 2. Garfield Jones. Womens Consolation: Mariann Domonkos.
2. Elizabeth Cheevers.
Final Classification (Top 10): Mens Team: 1. England. 2. Hong Kong. [England has won
five Championships, Hong Kong three.] 3. Canada. 4. Nigeria. 5. India. 6. Wales. 7. New Zealand.
8. Australia. 9. Scotland. 10. Pakistan. Womens Team: 1. England. 2. Hong Kong. [England has
won five Championships, Hong Kong three.] 3. India. 4. Canada. 5. Nigeria. 6. Australia. 7. New
Zealand. 8. Scotland. 9. Wales. 10. Northern Ireland. Mens Singles: 1. Desmond Douglas. 2. Alan
Cooke. 3. Lo Chuen Chung. 4. Carl Prean. 5. David Wells. 6. Francis Sule. 7. Garry Haberl. 8.
Kamlesh Mehta. 9. Graham Sandley. 10. Joe Ng. Womens Singles: 1. Karen Witt. 2. Lisa
Bellinger. 3. Hui So Hung (1979 Winner). 4. Alison Gordon. 5. Mandy Sainsbury. 6. Yue Kan Kai
(1983 Winner). 7. Mok Ka Sha. 8. Fiona Elliott. 9. Olawunmi Mjekodunmi. 10. Indu Puri.
Just a few days before the actual start of the Mar.
28-Apr. 7 Worlds, Sports Illustrated came out with their
Mar. 25, 1985 issue which featured a five-page article (Talk
About Bad Table Manners), by Jaime Diaz, on Eric Boggan.
Jaime, if I may say so, worked a few exaggerations into his
text, but on the whole he got volatile Eric (and me) pretty
much right. This passage, for example, is sure to appeal to at
least some of my readers:
During a brooding adolescence, Eric came to hate
having to endure his fathers boisterous and impassioned
rooting. When Tim would yell, Bravo, Eric! after the youngster won a point, or when he held up
what the family calls The Fista clenched right hand thrust out like a boxer finishing an uppercut,
which means Fight!Eric would respond by screaming, Tim, you know I hate your guts! or I
wish you would just get out of here, Tim! Evenyes Dr. FreudTim, Im going to kill you!
These patricidal eruptions were almost enough to make U.S. table tennis aficionados glad
their sport got so little exposure. To be fair, Erics match behavior has become less embarrassing in
the last couple of years. He has learned to direct
his shouting at himself, and Tim has made a
mighty effort to tone down his fervent cheering.
Eric has trouble explaining what
possessed him to abuse his father in front of so
many people. At the time, he says, I didnt
have many friends. I was moody, and I needed
someone to take it out on. Also, when I
screamed at him it cleared my head and I played
better. Still, before a match I would ask him to
please not root for me so loud because it bothered
me. I now realize he was trying to help me.
Sally Boggan, Tims wife of 26
years,[agrees] its an extra burden for them
[Erics brother Scott too, also a U.S. Mens
Singles champion] to see him there, being so
Sally and Eric Boggan in their Long Island home
emotional.
From Sports Illustrated, photo by Susan Aimes Weinik
53

Whatever the cause of Erics

raging, Tim thinks its healthy. I like
intensity of any persuasion, he says.
I hate lethargy. Most people just
dont have much intensity, which is
why they dont understand Eric or
Scott or me. The poet Keats said,
The excellence of every art is its
intensity. Scott and Eric are
artists.
Since over the years my
readership has gotten to know, and
will continue to know, Eric (and
me) rather well, theres no reason
for me to repeat much of the
articles considerable text, most of
its parts having appeared, quite
Tim in his Long Island University classroom
transparently, in a succession of my
From Sports Illustrated, photo by Susan Aimes Weinik
earlier volumes. However, in
deference to Jaimes conscientiousness and hard work I am going to bookend his opening and
closingthis to give you something of the feel of his writing:
Kampf!
Eric
Boggan, the best
American table
tennis player in
25 years, lets his
voice ring
through the
Sortzentrum in
Bayreuth, West
Germany until
the 500
spectators
rooting against
him are quiet.
Then, eyes
burning, he utters
a tight-lipped
Milan Orlowski
Eric Boggan
translation:
Photo by Raul Gal
From Deutschland Grand Prix Program, 83
Fight!
Boggan has just zipped a backhand drive past the home teams best player, Milan
Orlowski. But on the next point Orlowski, a Czechoslovakian and a former European champion,
fires up the fans with a topspin forehand that finds the open crosscourt corner. Sending a murderous
stare toward Boggan, Orlowski yells over the crowds applause, Ja! (Yes!)
54

Boggan is the
top player for Spvgg
Steinhagen; Orlowski
plays for Bayreuths
TTBG Steiner Optic.
Both teams belong to
Germanys Bundesliga,
the highest-caliber
professional table tennis
league in the world.
Orlowski, though past
his prime at 32, is
thickly-muscled and
ruggedly handsome. By
contrast, the 21-yearold Boggan is a gangly
62, slack-jawed, and
Erics bedroom in his Long Island home
floppy-socked, with a
disconcerting array of
facial contortions. He also
has an annoying habit of
stamping his foot loudly
when he hits a shot.
Indeed, as
Orlowski goes up 10-5
in the third and deciding
game, Boggan appears
to be on the verge of the
kind of tantrum that has
made him the No. 1 bad
boy of the sport. Come
on, he berates himself
between points. You
have talent, you practice
In Germany, Eric rents an apartment in Walter and Erica Vonks home
hard, but you play like
dogmeat.
This last self-excoriation seems to trigger something positive in Boggan, for he immediately
starts to play with the ferocity of a pit bull. Blocking Orlowskis heavy topspin with what Swedish
players call his windshield-wiper stylehe stands close to the table, using the same side of his
paddle for both forehand and backhand shotsBoggan catches Orlowski at 15-all. Several
deceptive spins and precise placements later he wins the game 21-16 to close out the competition
for Steinhagen.
Boggan is elated. With victory comes the end of a two-day ordeal of tension, moodiness,
complaints of unsavory food and maladies ranging from a sore thigh muscle to dry skin. You know,
he shouts in the winners noisy dressing room, abandoning for a moment his improving German for
the benefit of a visitor, back home we have a set of coasters with pictures of players on them. That
55

guy [Orlowski] was on one of the coasters. Its like I was Mike Boddicker whiffing Reggie
Jackson. Prancing out to a postmatch meal, he announces, Im a party animal now.
However, less than an hour later Boggan has pushed away a half-eaten salad and barely
sipped a beer. In a tired voice he says hes having trouble breathing. Im so sensitive. I go way up
and then way down, says Boggan, perplexed by his own mood swings. I guess its because Im
young for my age and there is so much pressure. I have no talent for anything but table tennis. I have
to win. To me, losing is like God blowing his nose on me.
Living in an increasingly self-sufficient fashion in Europe over the last four years has helped
make Boggan a less neurotic gladiator. Last August, after two seasons in a Swedish league and
another in a league in Bad Hamm, West Germany, Boggan moved to Steinhagen, a quiet town of
5,700 people about 60 miles from Hannover. He lives in a one-bedroom apartment on a forested
foothill. Lured by the pleasure of the autobahn, Boggan recently sunk a chunk of his DM 60,000
($17,750) salary into a BMW 323i, but its his only luxury. When not training he lives casually,
dressing in sweat pants and old sweaters with a NO NUKES pin attached, listening to rock music,
and cooking his own meals when he isnt dining in pubs.
Everything here meshes, he says of his surroundings. You do things right. It might be just a
walk. Even if its a movie you concentrate better. Its not like America, where there is so much to do
you get bored. Hes even dating someone for the first time. Shes 26. Her name is Uschmi, and we
met in Berlin, says Boggan. Its not serious, but we talk a lot.
Of course, Boggans emotions still seethe during matches. Following a recent loss he
startled his teammates by fiercely pounding his temples. I gave myself a headache, he says. I
know that people here look at me like Im a little strange. Im not expressionless like the German
players. But I really feel accepted. You know what I would like? A nickname. Something like der
absolute Publikumsliebling.
Which means?
The absolute public darling, he says, and laughs.
Eric will
go on to
complete his
1984-85
Bundesliga
season with a
first-half record
of 13 wins, 4 losses, a secondhalf record of 13 wins, 6 losses
(26-10). Erics Steinhagen
clubafter downing favored
Eric and Bernd Sonntag with Steinhagen doubles win
Reutlingen, 9-7 (with Eric
From Westfalen Blatt, Sept. 6, 1985
beating Appelgren and
Stellwag), and then challenging the #1 team Saarbrucken, losing 7-9 (with Eric downing Germanys #1
George Bohm but falling to Waldner in three) will finish third. In post season play, while traveling through
France and the Netherlands, Eric will win two tournaments, one over Stellan Bengtsson, the other over
Dragutin Surbek.
Ill return to his play in Chapter Six when I take up the U.S. Teams matches at the
Gothenburg Worlds.
56

Chapter Four
1985: USTTA Election Results. 1985: E.C.s Predominant Interests through March.
Since the annual E.C. Election is coming up, lets see whos running for office (all are serious
about serving), whos urging who be supported, and, mindful of being succinct, what the candidates
themselves are saying in their Campaign Statements. Then Ill tell you who wins.
The following nine candidates are running for three Vice-Presidential spots: Carl Danner,
Mel Eisner (incumbent), Bill Hodge, Bill Hornyak (incumbent), Yvonne Kronlage, Jimmy McClure
(incumbent), Bob Partridge, Danny Seemiller, and Bill Steinle. Lyle Thiem is also on the ballot, but is
running unopposed to continue as Treasurer. As was the case last year, the voting procedure was
clearly explained in SPIN.
Executive Vice President Gus Kennedy
(SPIN, Jan., 1985, 4) reminds us that Jimmy
McClure, who serves on the Executive Board of
the USOC, was instrumental in having the
profits from the Los Angeles Olympic Games
distributed equally among the 38 National
Governing Bodies, and, as Kennedy says after
working on the E.C. with him, Jimmy gives
close scrutiny to the spending of your funds.
Gus also notes that McClure has been appointed
Table Tennis Chairman for the 1987 Pan
American Games.
Kennedy supports three other candidates as well: Mel Eisner (a very astute individual with
finances), Danny Seemiller (whose character and spirit should bring new vigor to the E.C.), and
Bill Hodge (who has constantly studied what the E.C. did and did not do on programs and
budgets).
Current E.C. Vice-President Rufford Harrison (SPIN, Jan., 1985, 4) urges fiscal
responsibility and so particularly supports McClure and Hodge. Jimmy deserves praise for urging
that huge windfall for T.T. from the 1984 Olympic Games, and for working closely with Sheila
ODougherty, USTTA representative on the USOC Athletes Advisory Council, to determine our
players viewpoints on all matters that affect them. Hodge, says Jimmy, may very well know more
about our finances than anyone else in the Association, and should be congratulated again for
having balanced the budget last year when the rest of the EC thought it impossible.
ODougherty (SPIN, Feb., 1985, 3) favors Seemiller, McClure, and Eisner. Danny
understands the issues affecting the players, and this will allow him to develop and pursue programs
which will further the growth of table tennis. McClure has supported player representation within
the USTTA, and his proven ability and experience in understanding how the USOC Board works is
essential to the USTTA. Eisner has the ability to take complex issues and evaluate them
analytically; this helps to outline effective steps for resolution of the issues through a practical course
of action.
Perry Schwartzberg (SPIN, Feb., 1985, 3) makes no direct endorsements but emphasizes
the qualifications he wants E.C. members to have: 1. must have a great desire and enthusiasm to
make the sport grow. 2. Must understand the connections between tournament promoters,
equipment manufacturers, and players. 3. Must have some playing experience. 4. Must know what
57

as an E.C. member hes striving for (and since one hope is that well eventually get media attention it
would help if he/she had some connections and experience in this area).
President Tim Boggan in his (SPIN, Feb., 1985, 12) Up Front column opts specifically for
Eisner* and McClure Both men, he says, have been of daily help to me, know things I dont, can
do things I cant or dont want to do. Because they dont always think like I do, they complement
me and give that part of the membership who think I might occasionally be a little too aggressive
some checks and balances on me. Most importantly, thoughmost important to methey are
flexible and forward going and do not oppose my general stabilizing and innovative aims. As for the
other candidates, Boggan has a good word to say about them all.
Here now, in their Campaign Statements, are what I consider the candidates most
significant lines.
Carl Danner says hes ready to bring his substantial
professional skills to improve the sorry state of our USTTA. He
stresses the following two points:
I am concerned that our present scattershot approach will
not succeed in promoting our sport. The USTTA competes with
other organizations and activities in every act of promotion it
attempts. For example, young people face numerous well-organized
and well-funded opportunities to play other sports. Firms seeking
exposure by sponsoring rich prize-money tournaments are besieged
by promoters offering well-packaged events of proven popularity.
The big time of American sport is populated by tough competitors. It
is not easy to join them.
Carl Danner
Into this fray the USTTA has traditionally come with few
resources. We are short of money and we are short of qualified people. That money and those
people we do have are typically spread thin over a broad range of activities. We attempt so many
things that we cannot devote enough effort for any one of them to succeed. Worse, the manner in
which we use our resources diminishes our ability to attract more of them. People become less
willing to give their time or money when they observe both being wasted.
My point is that the USTTA should concentrate its precious resources on a focused strategy
to do a few important things well. We ought to select a definite emphasis and stick to it, devoting
enough to particular programs to give them a chance at success. At the same time the USTTA must
deny resources to the multitudes of ill-conceived or petty personal programs that have drained us.
There will also be some well-conceived programs that do not fit into our national strategy: the most
difficult decisions must involve diverting resources away from those as well.
My second point is that the USTTA must be run in a much more professional manner. By
this I do not mean that we should pay salaries to everyone but rather that we should expect a certain
amount of effort from those we elect and appoint to important positions. Unless the Executive
Committee acts like a real governing board of a serious enterprise the rest of the organization will
continue to be fragmented and ineffective. At a minimum we should demand EC members who will
prepare for meetings in the manner of a corporate board memberthat is, fully and professionally.
As an EC member, I will vote to expel other members who consistently fail to do so.
[Well, Ive given Carl considerable space here because hes often right-minded. But his
hopes are all abstractly expressed, not a specific suggestion for development in the lot. And
speaking for myself, a scattershot approach is better than no approach. Not that Ive been so
58

scattershot in the past. I object to Carl saying weve had no success. I do think that my own table
aims for the last 13 years since I first became USTTA President have found at least some success:
the best table tennis magazine the USTTA has ever seen, the admittance, after 20 years, of the U.S.
and especially our U.S. Mens Team to world class recognition; the proliferation of prize-money
tournaments, even in some instances to recognizable serious-sport status; and of late my support for
our Colorado Springs headquarters and the new coaching emphasis fostered by Bob Tretheway
that will result in our Resident Training Program.]
Mel Eisner has prepared for his repeated run for office by getting more name recognition
through writing monthly Up Beat columns in SPIN (his latest on finding family fun and friendship at
tournaments), and by taking out an ad in the USTTA magazine emphasizing his leadership abilities
(especially with the help of his productive imagination and practical business acumen). Mel stresses
the prestigious tournaments hes been responsibly (and financially) involved in, including the 1981
800-entry U.S. Open featuring a mens and womens team from the Peoples Republic of China. He
offers the outstanding quality of good judgment that has allowed him to assume a leadership role as
past president of the New Jersey Table Tennis Club and the Greater New York Table Tennis
League. Hes been a doer in such areas as TV rights, contractual limitations, and insurance (hes
an actuary and vice-president with Metropolitan Life). Hes also been a driving force behind
unusual, newsworthy t.t. eventssuch as the I Love New York Tournament in the Port Authority
Terminal which had over 200,000 people see it. In short, Mel urges you to vote for him because, in
addition to that valued Judgment, he also offers Experience, Achievement, and Dedication.
Bill Hodge
tells us that, as a
previous E.C.
member, hes wellqualified and
informed. As such,
hes repeatedly
given you his
credentials
beforethe
Father of the U.S.
Nationals (its first
Tournament
Director), and past
president of the
Columbus, Ohio
TTC, and current
president of the Las
Vegas TTC. Hes
now the USTTA
Budget Chair, and
will be the U.S.
Mens Team
Eric Boggan and friends in Vegas celebrating Erics 1984 U.S. Mens Singles win:
L-R: Takako Trenholme, Kasia Dawidowicz, Houshang Bozorgzadeh, Eric,
Manager at this
Tim Boggan, Mike Bush, and Bill Hodge
summers National
Sports Festival. Among his accomplishments: I have won three National titles and over 100
59

different State titles. I have worked for and with Parks and Recreation Centers, teaching,
organizing, giving exhibitions at schools, etc. This year, were to note, he has the endorsement of
five current EC members and Vice-President candidate Seemiller, along with any number of other
notables, including Eric Boggan whom he says hes repeatedly coached at all the U.S. Opens and
Nationals held in Las Vegas.
Bill Hornyak gives us his non-table tennis as well as table tennis background. Hes
conducted a successful heating, air-conditioning, and sheet-metal business for 34 years in Michigan
City, Indiana, and was an instructor for 10 years at the Indiana Vocational Technical College. He
wants more clubs for players to play, more t.t. in the schools, more attention to the sport by the
media, and more quality tournaments. His varied experience will help him to work at these goals.
Hes been in table tennis for over 50 years as a player, an organizer of clubs, three years as
Midwest Regional Director, two years as E.C. vice-president, and tournament director of the quality
Duneland tournaments the past six years in Michigan City.
Yvonne Kronlage shows very clearly her disillusionment at the continued great effort shes
made, and will continue to make, to further the Sport, but with always so little recognition. She
cares so much that table tennis be seen as a respected sport, but she seems so often to be ignored,
her valid complaints not taken up. Why is that? And why, though shes run for the E.C., three times
before, hasnt she been elected? Worse, only once was there a close race, and twice those who
were elected instead of her did absolutely nothing, one even quitting soon after taking office. She
wasnt elected, shes been told many times, because no one knows me and what I have done.
Yvonne tries to fix that here.
I work
hard. Have
supported table
tennis for 23
years. Have
worked to get
female players
recognized. Have
run four annual
USTTA
sanctioned
camps for all
playersall of
them being very
successful. Have
Yvonne Kronlage (far right) leading U.S. Womens Team at the 1972 Toronto CNEs:
run four Eastern
L-R: Alice Green, Judy Bochenski, Barbara Kaminsky, and Olga Soltesz
Championships
Photo by Mal Anderson
with more prize
money than is given in present ones. Have been to three National Sport Festivals where I have
worked very hard to make table tennis an attractive sport to both players and spectators. Have
taken juniors overseas to compete, paying my own expenses. Have been both captain and coach to
the U.S. mens and womens teams at the Pan American Games in Puerto Rico, again at my own
travel expense. Have been captain of the U.S. Womens Team to the World Championships
where discipline was a major problem and, despite my saying so, no one was officially
reprimanded.
60

I started the Maryland Table Tennis Association to help raise funds for players to participate
in different events during the year. I have run a club for over 20 years and run the only annual circuit
in the U.S. giving over $7,000 a year. Every year I organize table tennis for the Maryland Senior
Olympics and the Tryouts for the Junior Olympics (also raised money to send eight juniors to
Florida to play in the Junior Olympics last year). I give free T.T. exhibitions and talks to schools and
coach kids free of charge.
To sum up: Yvonne says, I am always willing to help anyone anywhere to promote this
sport and dont expect anything in return.
Jimmy McClures distinguished Hall of Fame player/captains career many readers have
followed in earlier volumes, so Ill not repeat that here. However, the following specific info he gives
us is timely: When I was appointed a member of the USOC Games Preparation Committee by
William E. Simon, USOC President, I proposed that Pan American and Olympic coaches did not
have to be U.S. citizens but only needed to have a Green Card. This made it possible for Henan Li
Ai to be the coach of our teams in the 1983 Pan American Games.
Also, as a member of the U.S. Olympic Special Committee to determine how the profits
for the L.A. Olympics should be divided, I was successful in convincing the majority of the
committee that the profits should be divided equally among the Group A members of the USOC.
Several members thought the money should be divided on the same basis that the USOC
Development and Games Preparation Funds are awarded. Since only one other sport receives less
than table tennis and some receive over 20 times as much, this would mean we would receive very
little. At the next meeting of all the group A members I was able to persuade several of the leading
Group A members, among them Athletics (Track and Field), Swimming, Basketball, Tennis, Boxing,
and Baseball, to vote in favor of equal distributions, which passed 17-5.
Now I am in the process of helping to form a new USTTA Foundation to protect our share
of those Olympic Games windfall profits. As USTTA Olympic Chairman I have designated 85% of
the monies received from the USOC to be used to set up National Training Camps for players and
coaches, for international competition, and to improve our public image.By the time of the
Olympics, the U.S. will once again be among the top three or four countries in the world. [Might as
well be optimistic, eh?]
Robert C. Partridge says that for the past 30 years I have been in the financial services
industry, 25 of those years in management. I know that my business experience can be useful to the
USTTA. After first becoming involved with table tennis in the Northwest in 1963, by 1972 I was
part of the group that founded the Concord, CA TTC, and have been on that Clubs E.C. continually,
now as Treasurer and Tournament Director. I am not only a determined local worker, I am also an
International Umpire and was Tournament Referee at the last U.S. Open.
Danny Seemiller needs no introduction, having been on the scene
for 18 years, as very experienced player, coach, and organizer of
hundreds of table tennis promotions all over the country. Surely such a
person in the know should be on the E.C. Danny urges you to vote not
only for him but for Bill Hodge and Mel Eisner.
Bill Steinle says, My basic belief is to have good coaching first,
with good training practice to follow, to develop top flight players.Youth
Development will be my first priority. Its possible to have good
competition at training sessions, but the best is at tournaments against
players with different styles. Thats competition. My second priority is
better-run tournaments.
Bill Steinle
61

As to my t.t. background, I was appointed Manager for the U.S. Team at the 1983 World
Championships. Currently Im on the U.S. Team Selection Committee. And, in addition to going to
the 1981 Yugoslavia World Championships, I have been to the last five U.S. Opens and U.S.
National tournaments. My further involvement can be seen in the four USTTA E.C. meetings Ive
attended. Bill requests that you vote for him of course but also for Yvonne Kronlage and Jimmy
McClure.
Treasurer Lyle Thiem says, We need an E.C. with the vision and foresight to spend some
of the Los Angeles Games windfall money where it will do the most good. We must, for example,
have more and better clubs, for otherwise where will the new players we hope to recruit go to
practice and develop their skills, and where can family-play flourish? Also, we must have a corps of
coaches if players are to become serious.
Lyle , whos running unopposed, has been the volunteer Treasurer for the Association since
Dec., 1981. Now, however, having proven himself a valuable worker and with increased
responsibilities, hes requesting a monthly honorarium. He hopes youll give him your vote of
confidence. As for the others running for office, he supports McClure, Eisner, and Hodge whos
proved he can be a big help to Lyle with the budget and other financial details.
And the winners are (SPIN, May-June, 1985, 34)LYLE THIEM of course for Treasurer
(1051 votes). And for Vice President the top three in the following list: DAN SEEMILLER (798),
JIMMY McCLURE (668), MEL EISNER (609), Yvonne Kronlage (407), Bill Hornyak (378),
Carl Danner (252), Bill Hodge (233), Robert Partridge (143), and Bill Steinle (99). Eisner publicly
thanks those who supported his candidacy.
E.C. Preoccupations
The following information can be found in comments Ive elicited from correspondence with
EC members or other interested parties and especially from the Minutes of the E.C. Meeting, held
March 15-17, 1985 at Colorado Springs, CO. All USTTA officers were (sooner or later) present
at that Meeting, except for Rufford Harrison who was unavoidably absent, out of the country. Other
prominent Association members attending (all or part of the time) were: Ai Liguo, Dennis Masters,
Dick Miles, Dan Simon, Roger Sverdlik, Bob Tretheway, and Tom Wintrich.
Rufford makes a formal protest that this Meeting is technically illegal. Why? Because in
not getting the (technicallywhat?one page?) Agenda out two weeks ahead of time, as per the
Bylaws, Boggan had violatedwell, not the spirit but the letter of the law.
Boggan, in turn, notes that he wants to issue a protest of his owna two-part informal
onethat (1) Ruffords insistent protest about this Meeting not being strictly
legal (but yet acceptably legal) when, in unprecedented fashion, everyone
saw ALL the Agenda material that was humanly possibleJanuary and
February SPIN articles for review, including my own Up Front ones, my
Feb. E.C. Update (which Rufford helpfully notated), my March E.C.
Update (Mar. 3); my Comments on the Upcoming Meeting (Mar.7),
and my Agenda, mindful that the exigencies of every Meeting make
practical demands on us that we depart from the Agenda (Mar. 11); my
Executive Action Since Last Meeting (Mar. 13), and a Friday night fourpage (more complete) Agenda (Mar. 14)followed by what would be an
exhaustive Mar. 23-24 summary (16 single-spaced pages) of the Minutes.
And that (2) Ruffords directive to his proxy Dennis Masters not to spend
Rufford Harrison
any money on anything certainly doesnt show President Boggan the
Photo by Mal Anderson
62

flexibility he personally would like to see in an E.C. member in his administration. Harrison later said
he gave this directive to D-J because he wasnt sure we had any money to spend.
On the plus side, Rufford is to be commended for his revision work on our 128-page
USTTA 1983-85 Handbook (sells for $7.00). Thanks to him (and those who assisted himGus
Kennedy, Jimmy McClure, Mal Anderson, and Jack Carr), questions that might have taken us the
better part of a Meeting-day have been addressed before the Meeting and resolved.
Speaking of money (and how can we not?), weve established a new Table Tennis
Foundation to care for our Olympics windfall moneya Foundation different from the still extant
previous one tainted by the Rasmussen Presidency and the general disinterest of its Trustees and
Treasurer. We are indeed going to get our $1,300,000 or sothough it may take until summer.
Jimmy McClure proposed a correction to this previous Minutes line: at least $500,000 [of Olympic
Games funds] be invested by the Foundation. Jimmy wants the Minutes to read, ALL subsequent
allocations of funds from the L.A. Olympic Games be invested by the Foundation. Boggan argues
that had he known we were going to get double the $658,000 we were talking about, he (and some
other E.C. members?) would never have agreed. However, for the sake of harmony, Tim will now
at least momentarily agree.
By Meetings end, we will have taken the most sensible step we could (1) to avoid the
possibility of losing this windfall money to a suit against us, and (2) to insure that at least a
$1,200,000 corpus will remain with the USTTA forever, while year after year well be able to put
our $120,000 or so annual interest earnings to work for the betterment of table tennis.
Tim insists, however, that the E.C.s job is not simply to leave this money for someone else
to do or not to do anything with; our job is to think and act for the betterment of the sport NOW.
Im a proud person: I want to see results; Im not expending all this energy just to maintain an
historically meaningless status quo.
There does remain some ($75,000?) Olympic Games windfall money that we have not
committed to the Foundation and that in the next year, before we start getting interest earnings from
that windfall, we might responsibly put to good use. Obviously theres a decision to be made literally
every day as to whether to spend money, or not. Ill begin by listing my Presidential actions since the
Dec., 1984 E.C. Meeting:
Authorized a Christmas bonus of $25 each for our four Headquarters employees, Emily
Cale, Ann Orthwein, Bob Tretheway, and Tom Wintrich.
Authorized an extra $350 or so to pay full moving expenses of the Ais to Colorado Springs.
The E.C. agreed to offer Ai Liguo (he and his wife Henan had conducted a number of coaching
seminars in China) a retainer for consulting services to the USTTA. Liguo, everyone felt, would be
especially helpful in coaching coacheshe knows sports.**
Authorized a cabinet, desk, and chair (a permanent work station) for Tim Bald, our intern at
Colorado Springs.
Authorized our Legal Chair Bob Hibschweiler, at his strong suggestion, to raise that $300
offer to Addison for the 1982 U.S. Closed tapes to $600. (No reply from Addison.)
Agreed that Id cooperate with Coach Schleff to the fullest; he wants to run the first of
several proposed tournamentsthe Highland, IN tourneyApr. 27-28. (Ive no record of this
tournament ever being held.)
Agreed that Bob Tretheway should get Scott Preiss to help him with his Woodland Junior
Development Project and that Bob pay him something appropriateperhaps $250 for his
transportation costs and maybe $300 for his three weeks work, along with food and lodging at the
Olympic Training Center. (The E.C. later agreed to fund this $775 three-week Program. It will
63

introduce over 400 kids from the ages of 9 to 13 to table tennis, and might perhaps be a prototype
project that could be sold to other school districts.)
Authorized Jay Harris to buy a book or two containing special names, addresses and phone
numbers that would be helpful to him in his Fund Raising and PR work.
Authorized Dick Miless way paid to the March E.C. Meeting.
Authorized a plaque for Jimmy McClure to present to former USOC Executive Director
Col. F. Don Miller (which he did with much bravura); also authorized $100 towards a gift for Col.
Miller (which, embarrassingly, he received belatedly). Coincidentally, the new USOC General
Secretary is another MillerGeneral George Miller.
McClure also had the unpleasant duty of announcing (SPIN, Apr., 1985, 6) the untimely
death of John B. Kelly, Jr., just installed last January as USOC President. Jimmy said that Jack, an
Olympic medalist in Sculling like his gold-medalist father before him, was the Past President of the
AAU and Swimming Hall of Fame, and had served as First Vice-President of the USOC for the
past eight years.
We also learned belatedly that
former U.S. Team Captain Bill Gunn has
died.
Agreed with Bob Tretheway
that we should join the 3,000-member
NIRSA (National Intermural
Recreational Sports Association. (The
$250 fee hasnt been paid yet.)
However, the E.C. later tabled
Tretheways request for a $2,500
USTTA promotional display, so
presumably he wont be going to their
convention in Boston May 1-5.
Authorized $200 over budget
for USTTA Film Chair Dave Strang to
buy a portable (Beta-oriented) camera.
Authorized expenses for
Bill Gunn leads U.S. Team at the 1956 Worlds
GermanyHead shot from the 1956 Tokyo Worlds Program
based
Eric Boggan and Mike Bush to form a U.S. Team at the Czech
Open, but not at the Welsh Open. (The Canadians sent two men
and two women to both tournaments.)
Appointed Nisse Sandberg U.S. Team Psychologist (at his
own expense) at the 1985 Worlds.
To insure that Robert Compton could go to the Worlds and
take really good photos, I have an understanding with him via Tom
Wintrich that well subsidize him $250. (As Ive earlier indicated,
Tom, filling up his May-June issue with 80 photos, made sure,
though he wanted to and did use a number of Mal Andersons
photos as well, that we got our moneys worth from Robert.) Tim
notes that hes getting player complaints that SPIN lacks
readability.
Robert Compton
64

ABC is going to film at the Worldsbut

just the final of the Teams.
Rufford Harrison points out that at the last
French Open the French came up with, in ITTF
President H. Roy Evanss words:
a tremendous innovation.
Through a computer set-up, all the results
of the matches, together with detailed
information about players, were available
to teletext networks, all over France, so
that at any time enthusiasts, wherever in
France they lived, had immediate access
to up-to-date results. A very impressive
first time pointing the way to a new
medium for promoting our game.
Perry Schwartzberg was
authorized to work two weeks for
Oklahoma Youth T.T. Tretheway will say
Perry brought in 40 new juniorsId like
to see a detailed reportand hopefully
we can find a way to keep them in the
Secretin shows a French Connection
Association.
Authorized expenses for those negotiating the 85 U.S. Open to Miami/Miami Beach
Masters, Harris, Boggan, and local liaison Bard Brennerand plane fare for Boggan to Pittsburgh
to cover the Easterns (but not to cover his trip to Montreal for the North American
Championships).
Now Ill follow by grouping related items, on which the E.C. did or did not spend money.
What with all the windfall money coming to us, it would be very surprising if only Lyle were
to receive some financial help. Having now paid off all those old USOC bills, hell get $100 a month
(retroactive as of Jan. 1, 1985). Meanwhile, McClure and Tretheway will look into the possibility of
a new Accounting System for the USTTA.
Co-Tournament Operations Chairmen Masters and Simon were given a vote of confidence
by the E.C. who approved the raise they asked for by a 4-2-3 vote. Dennis will get $1,500 for his
pre-U.S. Open work; and $2,500 as a Co-Tournament Directors feehe will get the same thing
for his work on the U.S. Closed. Dan will get for his work on the U.S. Open: $4 per player for
draws and time-scheduling; $4 per player per rating; and $2,500 as a Co-Tournament Directors
feehe will get the same thing for his work on the U.S. Closed.
The E.C. approved Jay Harris (whos gotten support from Eastern Airlines and Avis for this
years U.S. Open) as USTTA Fund Raising/Public Relations Coordinator (FRPRC). Its
understood that Jay will receive 10% of all monies from products and services which he is directly
responsible for obtaining (except tournament ad books, where the % shall be [not staggered but
straight] 50% of the ads less the cost of printing and expenses directly related to
the ad book.
Dennis reported that the 84 U.S. Open had made a profit of $3,071.17,
and this did not count the $12,000 Nittaku money given us). Mistakes were made
65

in the buying and selling of Sales Booth items for the Open and Closed, but hopefully we will learn from
these mistakes. Treasurer Thiem says Tom Wintrichs calculation of the USTTA Sales Booth loss of
$708.90 at the 84 U.S. Closed is totally inaccurate. Tom included income from other rental booths and
applied that to income from the USTTA booth. In actuality, we lost close to $2,000. Most of this, says
Lyle, was due to Jay Harriss poor judgment. Jay paid too much for cheap shirts and bought too many
hats and towels. Lyle also says we spent too much money on promotion at the U.S. Closed (the posters
didnt sell at all). Too much money was spent altogether at the Closed.
Dennis reported that the 84 U.S. Closed had made a momentary profit of $5,623.52. He
said momentary because we still had some current bills to pay (we hadnt even gotten a bill from
the Tropicana yet). Though entries were low (only 365) Dennis anticipated a profit of $2,000$3,000 (with of course the Team Trials conducted at no extra cost to the Association).

This years Miami Beach U.S. Open with Abel Holtzs $15,000 Capital Bank Sponsorship
is looking good. Still, if were to sponsor the Chinese and the Swedes, Dennis estimated (perhaps
pessimistically?) that wed need [what were not going to get] 600 paid entries to break even on this
Open.
Which means well also need [what were not going to get] a requisite number of umpires
and especially for the foreign teams our very best ones. The E.C. felt that any USTTA National
Umpire must be allowed to take the International Umpires test. If complaints are made of an
umpires performance under pressure these should be documented, the umpire given a chance to
defend himself, and a judgment made of his/her abilitiesperhaps by those needing umpires.
The Players Committee(members: Larry Thoman, Sean ONeill, Olga Soltesz, Paul
Williams, Perry Schwartzberg, Rick Hardy, Bob Fox, Erwin Hom, Craig Martin, and Jay Crystal)
wants Thomans letter on the Point Penalty System referred to the Umpires Committee for a
response. Theyre worried about umpires misusing their power.
66

McClure thinks a warning at the table

would be good. But whatever were going to
do has to be thought through. One fellow
says, This Point Penalty System is a
weapona dangerous weapon. Readers of
these volumes will probably remember how
the Boggans were quite upset over wrong or
highly questionable calls made against them
during the first experimental use of this
Systemand I question again now how
many umpires under fire can employ it wisely.
Different personalities must be
allowed some expression. Understanding
after understanding needs to be considered.
This umpire knows how to handle the Point-Penalty Rule
Quick thoughts that cross my mind: (1) can a
Drawing by Budimir Vojinovic
player request, and likely have that request
granted, another umpire than the one assigned? (2) precisely what right of appeal does a player
have at the table? (3) how can we penalize an inept, uncool umpire? (4) can the referee, without
being asked by the umpire, step in and penalize a player? (5) and, if so, who then does the player
appeal to? (6) is there a (Are you kidding? Nope, Im serious) difference between
Damn!...Goddamn!and God damn it!? (7) is there a difference in how loudly the expletive is
said? (One longtime experienced umpire told me, Its more a matter of manner than content.
Goddamn it! sotto voce is perhaps [sic: hes not sure] not as bad as Damn! at the top of your
voice. At a competitive sporting event vulgarities are apt to erupt because players and spectators
react passionately, so the umpire whos unsure of, or uncomfortable with, rule by rote has to use
subjective judgment. Thats why the idea of a warning [signaling where the umpires head is] is a
good one.)
Shouldnt we have our National as well as International umpires outfitted? And equipped
with appropriate manual and handbook? And that reminds mewhere in the hell is the Umpires
Manual?
The E.C. agreed to allocate $4,000 for Foreign Team hospitality at the upcoming U.S.
Open.
It should be clear that in order to try out for a U.S. Team spot or play in the U.S. National
Championships and the North American Championships, or play on a U.S. Team or in a National
Junior Championship, a player must be either a U.S. citizen or a resident of the U.S. for two years
and hold a Green Card at the time of competing. (Not subject to retroactive penalty under this rule,
however, is anybody who participated in the 84 U.S. Closed.)
Beginning Sept. 1, 1985, eligibility for age events for both boys and girls, as well as those
playing in events 40 and over, will be predicated on the age these players are on the first day of the
tournament.
Our Junior membership, as I noted in an earlier chapter, is in a deplorable stateI was told
that we now have less than 300 Junior members. Also, from Feb., 1984 to Feb., 1985 there was
actually a decline in our adult membership. Who can do something about that? How?
The E.C. ruled that the basis for the Selection procedure for the U.S. World Team would
be the order of the International Team Squad (ITS) finish, except in extraordinary cases of illness or
injury, in which case the Selection Committee may select an alternate player.
67

Regarding the rule that our Association must keep at least 15% of a players sponsorship
money if he (she) is to retain his amateur status, the E.C. asked that Sheilas Players Committee find
out the amount of money were talking about here, how much for how long has been held back
from whom, then segregate such money, and decide precisely (perhaps with a special input from the
players taxed) how it in part or whole should be used. (Perhaps expense money should be
funneled back to the taxed players? Perhaps a fund set up?)
As planned, the E.C. signed with Joseph Potocki and Associates (JP&A). Theyre
especially interested in marketing the U.S. Team.
Sheila ODougherty said that at the Athletes Advisory Council Meeting Jan.12-13 in Los
Angeles the point was made that ORTA, the agency that runs the Lake Placid Center, received
complaints from the speed-skating people who said the facilities and service were bad. The question
was raised as to whether therell continue to be a Training Center at Lake Placid.
It remains to be seen whether the Apr. 15-26 Camp for Intermediate to Advanced players will
be held at Lake Placid. But the E.C. allocated $2,500 in prize money for the May 4-5, 1985 North
American Championships there.
Boggan is disappointed that the Canadians had still not sent him the North American League
and North American papers theyd approved at their last E.C. Meeting.
Heres some information on the possibility of a Northern Michigan
U.S. Training site: I, Tim, received a 26-page Facilities Information Brochure
for the U.S. Olympic Training Center at Northern Michigan University in
Marquette. Literally, almost every Olympic Sport was mentioned, could be
accommodatedexcept Table Tennis. Bob Tretheway had told me earlier
that the place was rather inaccessible, but perhaps we should take another
look? Myron Mike Edgerton told me hed like to teach a course in Table
Tennis at his local Glenn Oaks Community College and would like a USTTA
Coaching Certificate but that Colorado Springs is just too far for him to go.
Marquette, he says, would be much better for him. Bob, any comment?
Gus Kennedy announced that he had raised several thousand
dollars for the U.S. Team to the Worlds.
The E.C. by a vote of 7-2 decided NOT to fund D-J Lee and Ai
Liguo to the 1985 World Championships in Sweden. Nor will we fund a
third umpire or a trainer/masseur there. As for SPIN Editor Tom Wintrich
Myron Mike Edgerton
he should be helped. The USTTA will pay for Toms hospitality in
Photo by Mal Anderson
Gothenburg; Tim out of his Presidential Discretionary Funds, will pick up
Toms NY-Gothenburg-NY flight fare; and Tom himself will be responsible for his Colorado
Springs-NY-Colorado Springs round- trip ticket.
Quite possibly Leah Miss Ping Neuberger will be at the Gothenburg Worldsshes our
USTTA liaison with the Swaythling Club International. Im placing a very irate Jan. 23, 1985 letter I
wrote to her, copies to the E.C., at the end of this chapter.***
Gary Ruderman, our new TV Chair, has an intense aesthetic interest in filmingand is taking
some $30,000 worth of equipment to Gothenburg where, in addition to filming the major matches, hes
going to do a semi-documentary on the U.S. Team. Gary provided a film for us at the March E.C.
meeting, and, impressed with his work, we agreed to pay his video Floor fees in Gothenburg.
The E.C. agreed not to consider sending U.S. juniors to China this summer via Hyson
International. But the Norway-Sweden Junior trip was onbudgeted at $10,000. No coach
thoughthe E.C. didnt want to fund transportation and pay a salary for one.
68

Gus Kennedy was allotted $2,000 for the Apr. 22-28 Cuban Invitational. (We did field a
Team, but no results ever appeared in SPIN.) The E.C. agreed to send Jimmy to the Pan Am
Meeting in Puerto Ricono, not Puerto Rico, the site will later be changed to Kingston, Jamaica.
Roger Sverdlik, representing the advertising firm of N.W.
Ayer, addressed the E.C. But although we were favorably
impressed by Rogers personable presentation (the sport, he felt,
was ideal for TV), we agreed that at the moment we just
couldnt hire him for a full-time jobhis TV-advertising expertise
was just too expensive for us. We tried to pursue the possibility of
hiring Roger on some part-time basis, or for a specific TVadvertising project, but Roger regretted this was not possible.
The proposed 1985 Annegret Steffien-promoted Chinese
Annegret Steffien
Tour of the U.S. has been dropped.
The E.C. rejected Danny Seemillers proposed USTTASeemiller-Butterfly six-city tour.
Also, Dannys proposal to be the male National Coach wasnt going to work out. Danny hadnt
thought about (1) that, in holding such a USTTA-paid position, he couldnt be on the E.C., and (2)
that he couldnt be both a money-oriented tournament player and a full-time National Coach.
Perhaps, however, Danny could be hired as an around-the-country USTTA Tournament
Ambassador. (There must be 100 clubs in the country that would just love for Danny to hold a
Friday night clinic then play in their tournament.)
Actually, as Danny gets older, he has his
own exploratory thoughts on how to take
advantage of his t.t. background. Heres an
interview I had with him Apr. 20th at Baton
Rouge:
TIM: So, Danny, I hear you and partner
Perry Schwartzberg have a surprise or two
up your satiny sleeve. Youre both thinking
more about Exhibition than Tournament play
these days?
DANNY: Yes, thats true. At this transitory
stage in my table tennis life, strange though it
may sound, Id rather be an Exhibition
Master than a Tournament Champion. Ive
got to find a way to make a good living
and at this moment in History I cant make
the kind of money I want to make by
winning a tournament now and then or by
taking a full-time Coaching job for the
USTTA.
TIM: Well, I can sympathize with that,
alright. It does seem that after all these years
our five-time National Champion deserves
to make a decent living in the Sport.

Photo by Mal Anderson

69

DANNY. Yes, and its not only thatI want more celebrity status than Ive got now. I want
more vanity payment. Like the Harlem Globetrotters, Perry and I want to play before an entertained
public. Nowadays when you play a tournament match, most off-the-street spectators, if there are
any, just cant understand the Sport; the spins too much for them, as it is for the players, who are
quick alrighttoo quick to win or lose points. In the kind of show Perry and I are learning to put
onits of course not your usual ExhibitionPerry and I want to bring back some FUN into the
gamethe spectators will not only laugh at our jokes and tricks, but will enjoy seeing us just keep
the ball in play.
TIM: So youre telling us that after all your Championships youve come full circleare
ironically reversing the normal development process and are moving from Table Tennis back to
Ping-Pong?
DANNY: thats exactly what Im telling you. But its pure entertaining Ping-Pong Perry and
I will doworld-class Ping-Pongand were sure people will relate to it. We think quite seriously
we ought to be getting $1,000 a Show even before weve really perfected what were doing.
TIM: How longonce youve perfected itdo you expect your Show to last?
DANNY: Our regular Act will be about an hour. But we can be extremely flexible, can vary
it anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours, depending on how many 31-point games we play.
TIM: You have a basic format, then add jokes and tricks as you have time for them or want
to work them in, is that it?
DANNY: Its like this. Im the Champion, Perrys the Challenger. Im immaculately
dressed. Perrys sort of discount-sports sloppy. In the beginning the match looks for realpart of
our aim is to show Ping-Pong at its aerobic best: that is, I primarily attack, Perry defends. But
gradually the audience understands thathey, whats going on here?the Champ, the pro who
does everything well, is on the ropes, and the Challenger, whos starting to cheat like crazy, is getting
away with 75% of the calls.
TIM: So you have an Umpire whos part of the Show? A straight man?
DANNY: Yes, it might be my dad, my wife, a friend. He (she) has an important job, one
that he has to practice for too: he does all the talking. Of course we have to be vocally dramatic
too. We cant always hold ourselves in; we have to voice a protest now and then. Mostly, though, I,
at least, being the good guy, try to preserve good sportsmanship decorum. Still, we both use lots of
hand gestures and facial expressionswhich means we both have to learn how to become
professional actors.
TIM: Yes, Im sure your acting personas would be exciting and challenging for youand
help keep your work fun. But you dont learn how to do all this overnight. And you need an
audience, even in practice. How long before you think youll be ready with this Show?
DANNY: It may take the better part of the summer. Everythings got to be choreographed
because theres a rhythm to each game and to the overall match. The choreography is very physical
and very tiring, tiring mentally as well. When you do tricks, you cant afford to mess up, otherwise
the surprise is gone. Perry and I know we have to work on pinpoint control, but of course with our
rackets we cant hit a dime on the tablewe cant have hard-bat precision. Sometimes you can
recover from a mistakeif the Umpire balls you out (he can call an incorrect score, get confused,
say one or the other of the players served out of turn, demand for whatever reason the point to be
played over), then you may naturally get a chance to do the trick over again, but it wont be as
good.
TIM: And what kind of audience will you begin performing for? As you imply, some will be
more discerning and demanding than others.
70

DANNY:
Well, weve some
options. It might
be possible to
start this summer
on cruise ships
and play military
bases, where
people would be
glad just to have
some diversion
and where really
they cant be too
demanding
because after all
its not costing
them anything to
watch us. They
Dick Miles (on left by net) and Norbert Van de Walle giving an exhibition at a military base
would give us
very valuable
feedback as to what works and what doesnt. Also, we wouldnt be under so much pressure and
could ad-lib freely and take chances, could constantly experiment. In the fall, we could begin honing
our Act in the Pittsburgh schools. In the beginning, wed play these exhibitions free if
we had to. The problem here is what kids laugh atwe have a gun racket that makes
a noise like a cap pistol or a firecracker, a racket that shoots Ping-Pong balls at the
students, a squirt-gun racket that says a favorite teachers all wetis not necessarily
what adults will laugh at. Still, it gives a chance to perfect our timing.
TIM: So props are obviously a very important part of your Show?
DANNY: Yes. For example, we play with a broken racket.
This happens very early in the match. Tough break for Perrythe
crowd whos not yet tumbled to the comedy, is sympathetic. But then
he goes for another racket, and so do I, and another, and
another.We play with a racket thats got a hole in it, like a trap-door.
Perry begins with a 20-foot high-serve, which I smash so hard it bores
a hole in the racket. Actually, Perry does a bit of slight-of-handas he
digs in to foot-stamp a return, he forcefully taps the trap-door on the
racket with his free hand, then looks properly astonished and whirls to
the Umpire, holding up the racket for all to see. Can this point count?
What in the world is modern technology coming to?
TIM: So the Umpire, the straight man, doesnt count the point.
Yes, I can see how he can be very important.
DANNY: Let me give you another example. We have a takea-flash-picture racket. I mean, when it goes off, theres a huge
explosion of light. Perry and I pretend were blinded. As we look
around the audience, as if to say, Who the hell did that? the umpire
cautions, No flash cameras, please.
71

TIM: What a racket.

DANNY: Yeah. And weve got morea magnetic racket, a mirror racket, a white flag
racket (Perry uses that after Ive made a series of good shots and hes on his knees in mock
surrender), even a ratchet racket.
TIM: A ratchet racket? Whats that?
DANNY: Theres a bolt on the bottom that can be finger-loosened to make the racket go
out of control, to make an unplayable siren-like sound. So naturally Perry has to go get a ratchet out
of his bag to tighten the bolt and stop the horn-like noise.
TIM: Again I say, What a racket. Youre sure, though, youve two hours worth of such
props?
DANNY: No problem. We play with big and small rackets (small rackets for the small table
we play on). Weve got dead balls, different-colored balls, wobbly balls.
TIM: And with your regular rackets you intersperse tricks?
DANNY: Yep, all the time.
TIM: Give me an example.
DANNY: Well, we have an around-the-table trick. It begins with a scoop return Perry
makes of my serve. The ball of course has so much backspin on it that I have to change over to
Perrys side to get at it. I then hit it down hard on his side but back towards my side of the table
where Perry meanwhile has drifted to. I then wait expectantly for his return. But does he play fair?
Oh no. He turns his back on me and swats it down on my sideoff into the audience seated in the
opposite direction.
TIM: Ah, the bad guy makes a point. Exasperating, eh?
DANNY: Yeah, and when it happens several times, and Im frustrated, it sets up another
small little trick. Disgusted at Perrys lack of cooperation, I backspin a ball smack over his head, as
if to make him go retrieve it. But Perry doesnt move, just smiles sweetly, then, with colossal
insouciance, he spreads his legs, and as the ball comes rolling back, spinning through, he reaches
down, picks it up, and, all aplomb, still smiling, prepares to serve.
TIM: More Gamesmanship from the bad guyyeah, we get itand we like it. So. O.K.,
when you two are finally good and bad enough, what happens? How do the big bucks come rolling
in?
DANNY: When were good enough well make a tape of the Show, then hire one of the
agents weve even now been talking to. I figure by the time Im 35 Perry and I should have a
fantastic resort-hotel nite-club Act. And with all the variables that we can possibly put into it, people
will pay to see it not just once but again and again. Anyway, it doesnt hurt to dream, huh?
TIM: Of course, by all means, dream, Danny. Im sure we wish you the bestyou deserve
it. But I must ask you this last very important question. You say youd rather have your audience
today go see Ping-Pong rather than Table Tennis. But isnt that a betrayal of the Sport youve so
long championed?
DANNY: Well, I can only speak from my own personal, necessarily changing viewpoint. A
competitive end is not the best end for a professional if he truly wants to have table tennis as a
profession. When youre 30 years old, your table tennis life doesnt have to be overeven if youre
finding it more and more difficult to practice hours and hours each day or week. Surely all youve
learned after a dozen or more years of very hard work shouldnt just be thrown away while youre
off waiting on tables, say. Id like to think that the career Im about to embark on will be even more
important than the one my years of many Championships gave me. Certainly itll be a voyage of
discovery. In that, History will bear me out, dont you agree?
72

The E.C. wasnt interested, as Id hoped they would be, in Dick Miless suggestion that we
fund a prototype USTTA club. But they were interested in the possibility of establishing table tennis
clubs in tennis centers (perhaps through ads in tennis magazines), in country clubs, and resort hotels,
and of running tournaments in such sport-upgrading facilities. Its understood that both Tretheway
and McClure (perhaps with the help of some manufacturers?) will actively pursue this project.
The E.C. authorized an $1800 Slide/Cassette program that can be loaned to non-table
tennis coaches (Phys. Ed. Teachers, for example) who could then better introduce the sport to their
students.
The E.C. agreed to fund
Tretheways $500 request for USTTA
participation in the Boy Scouts
Explorer Olympics. SPIN (Apr.,
1985, 22) tells us that through the
combined efforts of Colorado Table
Tennis Explorer Post #28 and the
USTTA, the Colorado School for
Deaf and Blind was to be the
beneficiary of a program of two
exhibitions and a tournament for 25 to
35 kids. This, however, was
extemporaneously expanded to four
exhibitions (the two additional ones for
blind elementary school classes), and a
59-player tournament.
USATT Program Director Bob Tretheway, second from right
An exhibition for deaf kids is
understandable, but how do you show
table tennis to the blind? Fortunately, a
hard rubber racket was available
(much easier to hear than inverted
rubber) and plenty of balls. The class
was first introduced to the ball, each
kid getting his own to touch, bounce,
and in some cases, taste. Several
rackets were passed among them and
then each student walked around the
table, feeling it with their hands. A
Chuck Medick, blind umpire at work
game to 11 points was then played
with students participating by guessing
when the ball was missed or went into the net. They were right every time; in fact, could tell
immediately where a player missed the ball before it hit the net.
After each exhibition for the elementary to high school-aged deaf students, the kids were
encouraged to sign up for a tournament that afternoon and evening.
The schools recreation director, Lynn Fleharty, was so surprised and excited about the
students unexpected enthusiasm for table tennis that he is planning to start, with the help of the
Explorer Post, a weekly program of instruction and has scheduled a sanctioned tournament in May.
73

In July, the two-man team representing the United States at the World Games for the Deaf
in Los Angeles will be training at the Colorado School for Deaf and Blind under the supervision of
USTTA National Program Director Bob Tretheway.
Tretheways request for $900 to fund a Club Resource Manual was passed 5-2-1.
The E.C. is currently in the process of trying to get Profiles on all our USTTA clubs, and
perhaps rate them so as to know better who to help first. If clubs have requests we will, if not grant
them, consider them. Fred Kistler, for example, wants us to fund a robot for his Emmaus, PA club,
but we declined. And Bill Davidson of the Jacksonville Club requests a traveling semi-tractor trailer
truck, complete with all equipmenttables, nets, barriers, scoreboardsto run a large tournament,
which [with at least two experienced player/coaches?] would tour the U.S. helping clubs put on
tournaments.
Naturally we want to help those clubs who really care about belonging to the Association.
Could you say Davidsons request (not now, if ever, granted) encouraged the following controversial
action? Since last year only about 75 clubs ran tournaments, always a source of membership to the
Association, the E.C. passed a motion that beginning next year every USTTA sanctioned club
must run at least one sanctioned open or closed tournament a yearelse forfeit their USTTA
affiliation.
SELECTED NOTES.
*Though its clear in that asterisked paragraph that I support Eisner for Vice President in the
upcoming USTTA election, I do occasionally get a mite irritated at his abrasiveness [though some
would say Im a bit abrasive myself]. On Feb. 23, 1985, he wrote a letter to me, which
unfortunately I no longer have. Never mind, I view the short commentary Im about to give you as
another chance for interested readers to see meweaknesses and strengths (which as I continue
as USTTA President Ill demonstrate more of). I thought Mel washow shall I put this?
insubordinate. So I began my March 3, 1985 Update to the E.C. prior to our March 23-24
Colorado Springs Meeting in this way:
1. Id like to point-by-point comment on Mels to me too proprietary and in some ways
oversimplified and even misdirected remarks of Feb. 23. Id like to. But in the interests of
HARMONY, Ill, if not furiously, energetically confine myself to a general point or two.
First, as the guy whos been trying hard (I think with some success) to be a catalyst to Mel
and other E.C. members, as well as to outside interested partiesI do see and have seen since I
took office, with I should say about a continuing 65-75% effective E.C., the need both to assign
responsibilities and to emphasize major efforts. So this bombast of yours (however much truth there
is in it) is at least partially out of line.
Im glad you think a great deal has been accomplished, for it seems to me that Im the
one whos been most determined that we at least try to thrash something out at the E.C. table, that
Im the one whos initially pushed to help the USTTA by giving an assist to Tretheway, Mason,
Shirley, and (the help here is being delayed) Shumaker. My jump-in approach to action (though not
without risk of failure) has on the whole worked well for me in my life and is surely as valid as (to
me more valid than) any wait-and-calculate continuing debate that may or may not lead to action.
Although I spend, to some degree, each day of my life in being analytic with regard to what serious
writers say and how they say it, my longtime Humanities background warns me against holding
absolute trust in Reason. Instinctively, I always try to couple my rational arguments with Emotion; if I
dont feel something is right or wrong, Im wary of rationalizing about it.
74

My god, what a proprietary tone you consciously or unconsciously take

with me in this Feb. 23rd letter. Do I need, or does, say, Dennis Masters need,
your directing Do it well, or dont do it line? Do you forget who youre talking
to? Really, the rhetoric is absurd. Many of the things one does in his/her life, even
the most necessary things, are often NOT done wellno matter how hard one
tries. And yet one does tryand goes on. Because the idea of
waitingwaitingwaiting until one improves with practice, or doesnt improve,
is unacceptable.
I think, Mel, this (O.K., O.K., well-meaning and not without truth) Feb.
23rd letter of yours is something of an aberration. It bespeaks not your usual
well-balanced thoughtfulness but your frustration. In coming at me, you indirectly
come at yourself. I think you feel overwhelmed, as I sometimes do, because you
really want what I wantfor the sport to be quickly and visibly on the move. Its
a burden to keep responding to my Up Date comments and other items of info
that I so regularly send out. But, alright, enough said. A big kiss to you, Mel.
Keep at it. Respond as you wantwhether I like it or not.

Mel Eisner

**Liguo has sports credentials:

On Mar. 27, 1984, Zhang Xuhui of the Beijing Notary
Public Office validated the following information about Ai Liguo
before he left China to settle in the U.S.
Born Feb. 1, 1942, he was a coach of the Peoples
Liberation Army from Jan., 1962 to Mar., 1971. He was a fitter
at the Beijing Radio Equipment No. 1 from Mar., 1971 to Oct.,
1973. From Oct., 1973 to Oct., 1978 he was a reporter at the
Sports News. From Oct., 1978 to July, 1983 he was an editor at
the Sports News. From July, 1983 to Mar., 1984 he was a vicedirector of the Ball Games Department at the Sports News.
Chinas National Best Press Writing Committee selected
Ai Liguos Exciting Battle in Japan as its 1980 award winner.
The Ais also tried hard to get Ai Liguos sister Lijie to come
Photo by Mal Anderson
to the States to assist Li Henan at Colorado Springs. On Sept. 6,
1984, Id written a Letter to her employer, the Principal of the
Beijing Coal Industry School, urging that he give his permission for her to take a leave of absence.
Principal An Guoqing agreed and signed a contract with President Boggan that specified Lijie must
return to China within two years.
Bob Tretheway later followed up with an encouraging Feb. 26, 1985 letter inviting Lijie to
live and work at the USOC Training Center. He writes: It will be our pleasure to provide you with
air fare from and back to China in addition to your living expenses while in the United States. As we
view this as a sports exchange project we will not be able to offer you a regular salary.
However, bad news. On Mar. 19, in answer to a Mar. 8 letter she herself had
sent on behalf of Lijie to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, Li Henan received a letter from
Paul N. Timmer, Vice Consul at the Embassy. Lijie was denied a nonimmigrant visa.
The problem: Lijie was unable to demonstrate strong economic, professional, and
family ties which would cause her to return to China after a temporary stay in the U.S.
Ai Liguo

75

The intervening consular officers noted that she earns a modest salary as a school teacher. And, in
considering Ms. Ais family ties, the officers noted that she is unmarried, and that her brother and
you currently reside in the United States. In short, the consular officers didnt think once out of
China shed return.
I tried again, hoping Mr. Timmer would reconsider. In addition to the expected entreaties as
to how much we needed such an assistant, and the additional Sino-American goodwill it would
provide, I tried this argument: Its awkward for me to say it, but dont you think my Coaching
Chairman and I look a bit ridiculous? Does anyone there in that Embassy really think that, in
violation of a USTTA agreement with Mr. Guoquing, our Association would maneuver to keep Lijie
in the U.S. illegally? Does anyone really think that with our excellent sports-ties to China wed even
consider doing that?
The unspoken answer was, Yes, we think youd not only consider doing that, but might
indeed actually do it.
***To the E.C.:
I lost my temper at Miss Ping the other night, talked to her, as my agreeable wife Sally said,
much too long, making the same point over and over again.
However, not for 10 minutes but for 4-5 years have I been pleading with
Ms. Ping, the U.S.s longtime liaison with the Swaythling Club International, to
please, please submit D-J Lees name for inclusion in this Club (which, as you know,
is for players, captains, and officials whove participated in World Championships).
The U.S. roster as of this moment contains the following names: Leah Miss Ping
Neuberger, Mal Anderson, Heather Angelinetta, Laszlo Bellak, Bud Blattner, Tim
Boggan, Houshang Bozorgzadeh, Elmer Cinnater, Peggy McLean Folke, Rufford
Harrison, Magda Gal Hazi, Tibor Hazi, George Hendry, Allan Herscovich, Gus Kennedy, Erwin
Klein, Mark Matthews, Jimmy McClure, Dick Miles, Lou Pagliaro, Bill Price, Sally Green Prouty,
John Read, Marty Reisman, Sol Schiff, and Mildred Shahian.
Over the years and
through my most
recent, screaming
phone conversation,
Miss Ping has
unwaveringly refused to
submit D-Js name
offering such excuses
as: Hes not old
enoughHe only
wants to join because
he thinks he can get
free hospitality at the
D-J Lee, after one of his six U.S. Open wins, this one over Jack Howard
WorldsYou dont
Photo by Bill Scheltema
understand, Tim, you
have to be invited to
joinD-Js on the waiting list; his turn will comeDo you want him to take your place, Tim?
In short, after all this time, Ive become totally exasperated with Miss Ping. Im angered by
her lack of cooperation in giving what I think any sane person without a bug up his or her ass would
76

think is just due to our great U.S. Singles and Doubles Champion and many-time U.S. World Team
member.
As you know, Ive brought this matter up at a previous
E.C. meeting and Im bringing it up again now. Because of Miss
Pings continued recalcitrance (not incidentally, one of the aims of
the Club is to help each other whenever possible), I intend to (1)
relieve her of her position on the ITTFs Standing Orders
Committee and (2) ask the E.C. to recommend someone to take
her place. I also intend to appeal to Swaythling Club President Joe
Veselsky, a popular, politic fellow who, when Ive repeatedly asked
him, has always seemed agreeable to D-Js inclusion, to please
appoint a new U.S. Swaythling Club liaison to take Miss Pings
place. (If necessary, I intend to use my influence to get our U.S.
Swaythling Club members to support this request.)
Call it blackmail (as Miss Ping did) or anything you like,
Swaythling Club President
but, as I see it, Ive been waiting patiently for a very long time, and
Irelands Joe Veselsky
now that I have some power to express my displeasure in some
meaningful waymy displeasure at the injustice of Miss Pings
inactionI want to use this power.
However, because I know Miss Ping is naturally (and justifiably)
proud, and because I see her, as everyone else does, as a remarkable
Champion and great historical figure long respected in the Sport, before I
take this official admittedly punitive action, Im going to give it one last
(this time public) try. Perhaps a more diplomatic head than mine, perhaps
someone himself or herself in the Club, can convince Miss Ping of the
justice of my no longer request but demand.
Otherwisehow long can I wait (no longer than Feb. 1) and
Leah Miss Ping
what more can I say?Im going to do what I said Id doreplace
Neuberger
Miss Ping.
This brought only a single reply (Jan. 25th) from my E.C.
Mel Eisner asked, Why not have her send a letter explaining her point of view? A four-fiveyear matter being resolved in two-three days. How foolish!
Conclusion: Miss Ping has agreed to welcome D-J into the Swaythling Club. Pay your $10,
D-J. Case closed.

77

Chapter Five
1985: March through pre-U.S. Open June Tournaments; Eric Boggan and Sheila
ODougherty Win Easterns; Joe Ng and Mariann Domonkos are North American and
Canadian National Champions.
An historic first: after the March coverage of U.S. tournaments reported in SPIN, there
waswith the exception of a rather brief account by me, Tim, of U.S./Canadian play at the Lake
Placid North American Championshipsnot a single U.S. tournament held during all of April and
May that was covered in SPIN, not a write-up of it, or even the bare results. Regardless of
significant U.S. play at the Worlds (Mar. 28-Apr. 7), such omissions are unacceptable. As I
research here Chapter Five, I discover this absence of tournament coverage with surprise, and am
further surprised to see in the May-June, 1985 SPIN, in that issue alone, that the editor had, in
addition to the story coverage of the Worlds, amassed 80 photosand thus, having filled up a
super-issue (36 pages), he had no room for local coverage. Though Editor Wintrich regrets the
omissions and trusts faithful contributors understand this unique situation, surely some criticism has
to be leveled at Tom and at an apparently unaware President Boggan for the imbalance.
But lets deal with what we have, not with what we dont have. As usual, I start with
tournaments in the West and move East.
Results of the Tri-Cities Winter Open, played Apr. 20th in Kennewick, WA: Open Singles:
Quang Bui over Jay Crystal, 10, 12, 18. Open Doubles: Crystal/Bob Mandel over Bui/Dave
Talcott, 18, 19, -19, -13, 15. U-2000s: Talcott over Danya Budiman, 10, 12. U-1850s: Talcott
over Hung Pham, 19, 16. U-3600 Doubles: Fredrickson/Liana Panesko over Pham/Chuck
Dethloff, 14, 13. U-1700s: Jeff Frahler over ? U-1550s: Pierre Gigounon over Hector Joy, 14, 14, 20, then over Frahler, 18, ? U-3000 Doubles: S. Pham/Duc Vo over Griffith/Dan Fendall, 15, 17, 18. U-1400s: Richard Nootenboom over Mohammed Akif, -18, 18, 19. U-1250s: Vo over
Robert Melton, 12, 15, after Robert had stopped Nootenboom, 16, -15, 21. U-2400 Doubles: S.
Johnson/Fendall over Goodwin/Akif, 15, 19. U-950s: Joseph Panesko over Marc Glestrom, 18, 11, 13. Seniors: Robert Ho over Harold Fredrickson, 14, 17. College/Junior: John Fredrickson
over Budiman, 20, 16.
Winners at the California State Open, held
Mar. 9-10 at Sacramentos Table Tennis
World: Open Singles: Duc Luu, 13, 14, 20,
over De Tran whod knocked out Dave Chun,
16, -18, 20, 17. U-2150s: De over James
Therriault, -19, 9, 11, after James had survived
Chun, 18, -13, 19. U-2000s: Behzad over David Chu, 16, -17, 15, 15. U1850s: Zak Haleem over James Ritz, 22, 15, 6. U-1700s: Eric Hamilton over
Bob Schanilec, 16, 17, 14. U-3250 Doubles: Hamilton/Mohammed Akif over
Warren Baxter/Anthony Streutker. U-1550s: Akif over Robbie Sorenson, 16, 22,
19. U-1400s: Akif, 22, 14, 19, over Andy Heroux whod defeated Leroy Yoder,
-19, 13, 19. U-1250s: James Stewart, 16, -15, 15, 17, over Ngo Viet, after Ngo
had downed Heroux, 19 in the 3rd. U-2250 Doubles: Don Streutker/Carl Ports
over Akif/George Akahori. U-1100s: Streutker over C. Ports, -23, 12, 7. U950s: Akahori over Lan Nguyen, 25-23 in the 4th. Point-Adjusted Singles: Akif
over Baxter. Over 60s: Leo Egel over Lloyd Henning. Over 40s: Tom Miller
De Tran
78

over Haleem. Boys U-17: Jim Goodwin over

Anthony Streutker
Anthony Streutker. Boys U-13: Lefty looper Jeff
Feri over Robbie Sorenson. Girls U-13: Nicole
Ports over Sunny Low, Jr. As: Dain Micheletti over
N. Ports. Jr. Bs: Steve Madsen over Low.
Results of Richs Workshop Closed, held
Mar. 1-3 in Burbank, CA under the direction of Rich
Livingston: U-1950s: John Schneider over Lynwood
Smith. U-1850s: Arnold Lloyd over Y.C. Lee, 11,
16. U-3600 Doubles: Schneider/Livingston over
Harold Kopper/Jon Wallace. U-1750s: Guenter
Pauly over Kopper. U-3400 Doubles: Lloyd/
Wallace over Ngo Chi/Duc Nguyen. U-1650s: Pauly over Kei Ariyasu. U-1550s: Jim McKinstry
over Wallace. U-1450s: Heinz Kittel over Joe Kozlowski. Unrated: George Godor over Jeff
Stevens. Seniors: Lloyd over Ariyasu.
Jeff Mason (SPIN, July-Aug., 1985, 25) reports that Table Tennis World was honored to
have 1971 World Champion Stellan Bengtsson of Sweden conduct a four-day clinic, as well as
perform an exhibition with local players, at our facility.
Bengtsson was assisted by Angie (Rosal) Bengtsson, and myself. I was very impressed with
Stellans knowledge and coaching ability, as were the participants themselves. I was able to work
well with the husband/wife team, especially since we all follow the same school of thought handed
down from former World Champion Ichiro Ogimura of Japan.
I was particularly impressed with the way Stellan explained the basic principles in a clear
and interesting manner. The players enjoyed witnessing him demonstrate footwork drills, which he
does with amazing speed and grace. Stellan and Angie were both very concerned with helping each
player in the clinic, whether he/she was advanced or more at the beginning level.
Besides being impressed with his extensive knowledge, I was also struck by his world-class
attitude. He is truly a model of how to combine international-caliber play with excellent
sportsmanship. He has always demonstrated this in his competitive career, and showed the same
characteristics while coaching in Sacramento.
The 200 spectators who attended the exhibition were thrilled with his play, especially during
his fun match with Mike Grooms who was in costume as The Dark Invader. Local television and
newspaper reporters were present to cover the event.
Table Tennis World would like to thank Stellan, Angie, and the Stiga Company for making
this event possible. We look forward to another Stellan Bengtsson Clinic in 1986.
Rick Hardy (SPIN, July-Aug., 1985, 17) reports on the June 22-23 Cleveland, Ohio
Open:
Since this was a warm-up tournament for the about to be held U.S. Open, interest was
sparked by players not often seen in America. Angby Sports Club Swedes, Mikael Frank and Lars
Mattsson, plus Defending Champion, Canadas Zoran Kosanovic, were the top three seeds, while
several well-known Americans made their Cleveland debuts.
Fourth-seed Brandon Olson, shaking off an earlier loss to 1948-rated John Elwood in the
AAA event, joined the other three seeds in the Opens semifinal round robin. Kosanovic and Frank
disposed of Mattsson and Olson to set up the final. Each of the previous four years, a lefthander
79

had been seeded first and gone on to win the tournament. Although
lefty Kosanovic won the first game, Frank took control of the match,
winning the next three games and the title.
In other results, Kim Farrow won the Womens, smashing
through Joyce Jenkins three straight. Avishy Schmidt made his trip
from the West worthwhile by winning the U-2200s and U-2100s
while recording several upsets along the way.
Thanks to all our supporters. Hope to see you next year.
What Tournament Director Lori Berenson and Tournament
Referee Hardy would have liked to have seen this year is made plain in
their Letter to the Editor (SPIN, July-Aug., 1985, 4):
Avishy Schmidt
For the past five years, the Cleveland Open has been one of
the nations better tournaments. We feel that one of the reasons for our success has been that we try
to give the players, especially the top players, as many considerations as our finances allow. We
believe that by helping the top players we help the game as a whole. We have been very amenable
to giving top players free entry, hotel rooms, and/or hospitality in our homes, and expense money, if
at all possible.
For this years tournament, we received entries for Eric and Scott Boggan, Rey Domingo,
Gustavo Ulloa, and George Brathwaite. All were placed in the draw. The Boggans were given free
entry and permission to come late as they were taping a [Saturday Bill Boggs TV] show in New
York.
Saturday morning we received a phone call from Eric informing us that he and Scott were
not coming. In the interest of fairness, we did the draws over. Several hours later, as the time for
Open Singles neared, it was apparent that Domingo, Ulloa, and Brathwaite were not going to come
either. (We had talked with Brathwaite only the day before!) We were forced to redo the draw
again. In addition to the open draw, the AAA and Seniors draw were affected by these no shows.
These five players created unnecessary disruptions to the players present and to the staff.
After having taken flak from our fellow club members for spending our clubs money to help
top players, we find the actions outlined above deplorable. If the top players, including our U.S. #1,
want respect for themselves (and for table tennis), they must show that they deserve it. We hope
that the above named players will reflect on their behavior so that this will not happen again.
After the $3,000 Lake Ontario Open, held Mar. 22-23 at Brockports NY State University,
was advertised in SPIN, there was no report, no results, of it having been played, though Rating
Chair Dan Simon indicated hed received and processed the results. Didnt anyone (especially
tournament-contact man Bob Brickell or SPIN editor Tom Wintrich) care to explain what
happened?
The Butterfly Eastern Open, held Mar. 8-10 in Pittsburghwith its
$1,400 in cash and other prizes of sporting goods, watches, and clock
and portable Walkman-type radioswas also advertised. But at this
tournament we did find out what happened because I was there to write it up (SPIN, Apr., 1985,
24-25).
Danny and Eric head to head. Wholl be #1 after Sunday? So it read (where else?) in the
Pittsburgh Press with hyped home-town Dannys photo showing him as ready as ever, as intense as
ever (for hadnt he just won AGAIN the Western Japan Open).
80

But three days of Seemiller-drawn, Seemiller-announced,

Seemiller-run matches drained away some essential brotherly-shared
strengthand in the March 10th final of this years 15-table, 150-entry,
Martin-Kilpatrick/Vynex-sponsored Eastern Open it was Eric over Perry
Schwartzberg who, playing with extraordinary poise and power in the
semis, had hard-rubberized Dannys distracted head.
Meanwhile, no headlines
for the womenthough Sheila
ODougherty, our USOC
Athletes Advisory Council rep,
scored a 3-1 victory over fellow
Minnesotan Ardith Lonnon.
How much both of them want to
play: last month Sheila suffered a
26-hour drive to the Louisiana
Open, and now Ardith (did
Sheila come with her?) just
endured a 15-hour drive to get
to Pittsburgh. Ardith always
seems to practice as intensely as
she plays: She forces you all
the time, says Sheila. But I
Ardith Lonnon
Sheila ODougherty
took her seriously right from the
Photo by Mal Anderson
Photo by Mal Anderson
start. I went out there and fought
and most of the time I got in the first shot.
Cheerfully hoisting high, if not her glasses, an off-court glass or two, Sheila, pleasantly
relaxed, proclaimed her shoulder perfectly healed. So when Ardith quickly spun it out that, instead
of going to the University of Minnesotas Institute of Technology to study Engineering, she might
consider enrolling in the USOC Resident Training Program at Colorado Springs, Sheila was ready
to counter. She said that, though she liked her managerial job at a Denver Optometric Center (Im
blinder than 90% of the people who go through there), she might soon apply for her Masters in
Hospital Administration at the University of Minnesota.
Ardiths brother Gene (someone said he was looking stronger
physically) had good wins in three events (thanks in part to Ardiths
coaching?)over U.S. Maccabiah hopeful Simon Shtofmahker (runner-up
to too forehand-strong Ben Nisbet in the 2250s), over Steve Lowry in the
2150s, and over Dan Walk in the U-21s. Gene agreed that, despite his loss
to Seemiller here (shhhthats TIMMY Seemiller), being named to the U.S.
Junior Team (come May hed be playing in Sweden and Norway) gave him
greater incentive to project a much-desired image of himself as a Player.
Which is one of the reasons why he didnt play in the Juniors here?
Both the 17s and the 15s were won by 14-year-old John Elwood over
Clark Yeh, 19 in the third.
Nay, Yeh: what in the hell were you smiling at when you came off the
table after losing that last match to John? Because having turned just 11,
Clark Yeh
youd done far betterwell, better than you thought you would?
Photo by Bill Hall
81

Turns out that National Coach Henan Li Ai has been in Indianapolis for a couple of weeks
(Did you see her on Channel 13 News?) working intensely with the promising young players
Elwood (shakehands), Yeh (penholder), and others from both Joe Shumakers Indianapolis Training
Center and Dan Hoppers Lebanon, Indiana Club. Theyve an eye trained on the White River Park
Games which, its estimated, will draw 1,000 [sic] table tennis players.
In the Aged P divisions, among those parents who actually
played, Bill Sharpe, though he literally nodded off in our
Sunday round robin, was just too wake-up good when it
counted. The best match in the 40s/50s, however, was
between Selection Committee Chair Bill Walk and me. After
leading 19-14 in the third in the Esquires, I was an earlier
Seniors match and three ad points down before waking up
myself to win.
And bless this 50-50 triumphant match with Bill, for it
allows me now to Walk back, as it were, to the Mens, since
both Bill and Mens finalist Perry Schwartzberg use the same
Bill Sharpe
type rubberhard rubberon their backhand which, damn, in
both those split matches with Bill Id kept blocking the ball off
the table.
This rubber, thought by Pittsburgh partisans something of a miracle-winner for Perry,
conqueror of Danny (one of whose fans had either made or pirated an encouraging bleacher sign),
hasnt the usual linen backing, like, say, an old Hock, but, go ahead, peel it back, is just hard
rubber. And round the racket, to make it heavier, Perry wraps strips of lead tape, giving the bat a
higher center of balance so that, as Perry says, the top of the racket falls into the ball.
In the quarters, Perry, it was thought, would face an uphill battle with first-seed lobber Rey
Domingo. But Perrys backhand pips can suddenly change the pace of play, drop, stop the ball, and
Rey couldnt hold a 20-18 lead in the fourth to play on. After the match had ballooned away, Rey
had a little frown of explanation. I got up at three oclock to catch a plane at Newark and arrived
here with a headache. I dont know why, but the ball kept going off the edge of my racket. Maybe
he should have used some of Perrys tape? Anyway, I always prepare for losing, said Rey with his
37-year-old smile.
In another quarters match, 18-year-old Brandon Olson downed Ricky Seemiller
maneuvered him away from the table, looped the ball wider and wider, and out-countered him.
In the remaining two quarters, Eric and Danny advanced easily.
One semis saw Brandon start strong against Eric
pointedly
threaten der
U.S. boy like
some
experienced
duel-scarred
Bundesliger. But
then it was
Erics turn to be
the aggressor
and Olson had
Eric Boggan
Brandon Olson
82

no defense. In the
other semis, Danny,
whos had trouble
with his sometime
roommate
Schwartzberg
before, found himself
14-10 down in the
fifth. At 14-11 he
yelled, Hang in!
And of course hang
in is what hes so
often done in the past
and will do again and
again in the future.
Danny Seemiller
Perry Schwartzberg
But now he
immediately mis-served, and Perry, playing smoothly, aggressively, out-positioning Danny, ran the
score to 20-14 his favor. GREAT! said Danny self-mockingly to himself and his supporters.
JUST GREAT! Whereupon Perry served and Danny pushed off.
The $400 first-prize final between Eric and Perry was anticlimacticat least until Perry,
down 2-0 and 9-4 in the third, unexpectedly rallied to win 13 of the next 16 points, his pip picks or
smashes stopping Erics momentum and forcing the match into the fourth. Up 13-8 but down on one
knee after a long victorious point, Eric looked for a moment like he didnt want to get up. And, sure
enough, he rose, slowly, slowly, to 13-12then, as if with a sigh, again picked up his world-class
tempo, scored six in a row to break open the match.
As Eric was hurrying out the door to catch his flight, Perry himself had not finished play.
Having beaten 2300 John Allen, whos now on a Midwest tour of schools with Randy Seemiller,
Perry was in another finalthe 2400s.
His opponent was that same Randy, whose day-in, day-out exhibition play was giving him
not a touch of madness but a consistency thathelped by an incredible match-point-down counter
from the barriersenabled him to beat Brandon Olson in the semis.
In the finalthe final of the 2400sthere were left only the Seemillers, their friends and
relativeswatchingas Randy, despite a 19-17 lead in the first, lost to brother Dannys roommate
Perry.
Still, a few beers were passed aroundfor if
the tournament was not as dramatic, not as exciting,
not as fresh as some Eastern Opens of old, it was
again something of a financial success for a family that,
like the sport itself, has always found and always will
find ways of surviving.
Results of the Fred Fuhrman Memorial Open,
played Mar. 2-3 in Miami: Open Singles (two nativeborn Jamaicans in the final): David Marchalleck (from
down 2-0) over Ernest Virgo, -17, -15, 13, 14, 22.
Womens: Olga Soltesz over Naciye Hacikadiroglu,
83

Ernest Virgo
Photo by
Mal Anderson

13, 16, 18. Open Doubles: Virgo/Jamaicas Keith Duncan over the Jamaican pair of Colin
McNeish/Andrew Sturridge, 14, -19, 17, 8. Seniors: Bard Brenner over Edwin Oliver, 18, 18.
College Men: Duncan over Robert McKesey, -22, 17, 17. College Women: Hacikadiroglu over
Carla Belnavis, 13, 11. High School Boys: Andy Rheingold over Randy Cohen, 19, -17, 22. Grade
School Boys: Cohen over Rheingold, -16, 18, 20.
As: McKesey over Scott Beauregard, 16, 18. Bs: Oliver over Sohrab Zarrabian, 18, 10.
Cs: Colin Steele over Peter Matthews, 17, -12, 14. Ds: Larry Beal over Rick Kadin, 19, 13. Es:
Morris Wong over Jack Cohen, 15, 7. Novice Women: Lori Milch over Margaret Ping, 11, 11.
Novice Men: Jay Freireich over Francis Delaney, 12, 14 (the same Fran Delaney, formerly from
Bridgeport, CT, who 36 years earlier was ranked U.S. #21?).
Yvonne Kronlage gives us an end-of-season report (SPIN, July-Aug.,
1985, 12) on her Howard County Circuits top 12 finishers: Barney Reed of
Enola, PA won the $1,000 grand prize with 123 points. Reed, who didnt miss
any of the ten tournaments, will use the cash for a trip to the Miami U.S. Open
for his wife Kathy and himself. It was a struggle all the way, said Barney, as a
couple of tournaments I didnt get any points.
Tom Steen fought to the last day to finish second by winning the
doubles (the last event of the Circuit) and so the $500 award. Steen edged
Barry Dattel who had held on to second the last couple of tournaments. Barry
went home with a color TV but was disappointed at losing the cash award.
Barney D. Reed
Peter March came in fourth and was very pleased with his color TV. Shibaji
Chakraborty took fifth and a microwave oven. Clocks were presented to the
following seven players: Don Garlinger, Steve Emmons, Humilde Prudencio, Jr., Roy Emmons,
Yvonne Kronlage, Keith Minnich, and Dao Nguyen.
There were over 200 players participating in this years Circuit and next season were
shooting for 300. We have decided to hold two Mini-Circuits consisting of five tournaments each.
This will enable more players to have a chance to win prizes and will give them the opportunity to
concentrate on just five tourneys at a time instead of ten. Total prize money awarded for the 198485 Circuit was $7,556.70.
Winners at the
Colin Mallows Open,
held Mar. 16-17 at the
Westfield, NJ Club under
the direction of George
Hellerman: Open Singles:
George Brathwaite over
Steven Mok, 13, -17,
11, 15. Semis:
Brathwaite over the
Dominican Republics
Raymundo Fermin, 12, 11, 19, 19; Mok over
Rey Domingo, 19, 20, Raymundo Fermin
George Brathwaite
8, 17. Open Doubles:
Lim Ming Chui/George Cameron over Brathwaite/Fermin, -12, 15, 13. Esquires: Ralph Vescera
over Bob Barns, 19, 18. Seniors: Brathwaite over Bill Sharpe, -17, 9, 15. U-17s: Bud Caughman
84

over Damir Kadija, 19 in the 3rd, then over Rajiv Dosi, 11, 16. U-13s: Don Ma over Allen Ma, 18,
8. U-11s: A. Ma over Saku Hyttinen, 5, 9.
U-2200s: Michael Henry, 18, 14, -22, 19, over Bob Holland whod eliminated John
Andrade, -15, 19, 20. 2050s: Chi-Sun Chui over Vicki Wong, 16, -20, -12, 19, 18. U-1950s:
Mark Kane over Bruce Hvasta, -10, 16, 17. U-1850s: Bud Caughman over Brian McKnight, 17,
18. U-1850 Doubles: George Holz/Kane over Sam Huang/Tony Gegelys. U-1750s: Holz over
Huang, 17, -17, 16. U-1600s: Joan Fu over Craig Sental, -22, 10, 11. U-1600 Doubles: Ken
Pecota/Fu over Mike Inger/Dave Schultz, 17, -20, 10. U-1450s: Colin Mallows, 11, 16, over
Dennis Spellman whod escaped Schultz, 22, -16, 20. U-1300s: Vladimir Lojko over George
Chranewycz, -20, 21, 19, then over Arvo Hyttinen, def. U-1150s: Nick Rezai over Mark
Anderson, 16, 9. U-1000s: Rezai over Kadija, 16, 20. Unrated: M. Billek, 13, 18, over A.
Rabinovich whod outlasted A. Lear, -17, 24, 19.
Chris Kalagher (SPIN, July-Aug., 1985, 12)
gives us the results of the June 8-9 New England Closed:
John Allen of South Boston defeated Lim Ming Chui of
Bedford, MA in four games to win the Mens Closed title.
Womens Singles went to Marta Zurowski of Dudley, MA
over Sym Gallucci. Chui came back to win both the
Doublesthe Championship (with son Chi-Sun) and the
Mixed (with Gallucci).. Chi-Sun shared the Junior title
with brother Chi-Ming [they didnt play the final?].
Among the other big winners were Rhode Islands Haig
John Allen
Marta Zurowski
Raky over Frank Dwelly in the Seniors and Chris
Costley in Novice Singles. The tournament, a tremendous
success, was sponsored by the Fitchburg, MA Table Tennis Club and attracted 102 players from
the six-state region.

The $500
winner of the select
27-entry Mens
event in the $5,000
North American
Championships,
played May 4-5 at
Lake Placid, NY,
was Joe Ng of
Toronto, who thus
became the North
American Qualifier
for the World Cup
that will be played
this summer in
Foshan, China.

Mens Champion Joe Ng

85

Womens Champion Mariann Domonkos

The $500 winner of the select 16-entry Womens event was many-time Canadian
Champion Mariann Domonkos of Chateauguay, Quebec. Unfortunately for Mariann, theres no
World Cup for women.
Canadian players also took runner-up positions. Second in the Mens was 1984 Canadian
Champ Horatio Pintea of Ottawa; while in the Womens it was Cindy Choy of Vancouver.
Those who didnt qualify for
one of the eight money-winning
quarters spots played a Sunday
satellite tournament. The Mens
winner in this event was Canadas
Eddie Lo ($100) over the U.S.s
Brandon Olson ($50). The Womens
went to Cheryl Dadian of the U.S.
($50) over Becky McKnight of
Canada ($25).
The Mens matches among
the qualifiers were down-to-the wire
Paul Dadian, offering advice and
close.
confort to daughter Cheryl
In their last match, Danny
Seemiller, with losses to Ng and Satellite Womens Winner Alain Bourbonnais, had to beat 22year-old Romanian expatriate
Pintea two straight to give himself any
Cheryl Dadian
Photo by Mal Anderson
chance to winbut, ohh, he lost
the first at deuce. However, he kept
himself alive for second place by
taking the next two games from
Hory who in practice earlier had the cap on a tooth knocked off and broken.
And Scott Boggan helped not only himself but Danny by downing Alain in their last match
worth an extra $200 to Scott. This loss was an absolute catastrophe for Alain, since had he gone on
to win either the second or third game from Scott he would have, as it turned out, finished in a fourway tie for first and with a 5-2 (5-3) record would have won the tournament. As it was, one game
away from winning $500 and the trip to the Cup and, say, another $1,000 appearance prize money,
he tumbled all the way to fifth.
The last match of the tournamentNg vs. Pinteaaffected the final four positions. (1) If
Pintea (2 losses) were to beat Ng (1 loss) two straight, there would be a three-way tie for first with
Horatio winning over Ng and Danny coming third. (2) However, if Ng won just a game from Pintea
he would be the winner with Hory second and Danny third. (3) If Ng won the match, Danny would
come second, Scott third, and Hory fourth.
As it happened, after Ng won the first game from Pintea, he was already the winner of the
tournament. The back-up player to the World Cup, thoughwould he be U.S. or Canadian?
CTTA Director-General Adham Sharara told his already crowned Champion not to dump
the last two games to Horatio, his teammate at the 1985 World Championshipsbut Hory won
anyway, 19 in the third. So the back-up was another Canadian.
Had this not been the NAC but the NA Tryouts for the 88 Olympics, as the rules now
stand, no U.S. player, not one man or woman, would be going to the Seoul Olympics.
Order of Finish: Men: 1. Joe Ng, 5-2 ($500). 2. Horatio Pintea, 5-2 ($500). 3. Danny Seemiller,
5-2 ($400). 4. Scott Boggan, 4-3 ($400). 5. Alain Bourbonnais, 4-3 ($200). 6. Bao Nguyen, 3-4
($200). 7. Perry Schwartzberg, 2-5 ($200). 8. Brian Masters, 0-7 ($200). Women: 1. Mariann
Domonkos ($500). 2. Cindy Choy ($300). 3. Gloria Hsu ($200). 4. Thanh Mach ($200).
86

I want to say in closing that this North American article youve just read was NOT
responsibly proofed in SPIN by Editor Wintrich, which irritated me. I also want to add here the
following May 11th letter I wrote to George Kalber, Director of the Olympic Training Center at
Lake Placid:

Dear George:
I want to thankour Association wants to thankyou, George, your wife, Marty, and all
those connected with the Center who were such a help in every comforting way to us in our running
of the recent North American Championships.
Im well aware that there were coordination problems in this our initial tournament that
neither Tournament Operations Director Dennis Masters nor I want to have happen again. Rather at
the last minute we found out that the ferry from Burlington was NOT operating, as we thought it
would be, and so three of our players had inconveniently to be picked up (crazily, the driver lost his
way) and after the tournament transported back. Also, because so many of our players from
different sections of the East and Northeast drove and arrived in Lake Placid at different times
Friday evening and even early Saturday morning, it was difficult for us to get a count on who needed
the van and who was driving or hitching a ride with whom.
Naturally were most apologetic about not coming back for lunch on Sunday. As it turned
out, the tournament was progressing to its climax much faster than wed anticipated and neither the
Canadian players nor our players wanted to interrupt the heated semifinals/final flow of play to
return. It didnt register with us we were really thoughtlessly out of line.
Please believe me that, after talking with Marty, Dennis and I understand much better whats
expected of us, and that we appreciate your kindness and courtesy. Aside from these problems, it
may please you to know that our first tournament venture was a great success with the Canadians
and did much to increase the goodwill between our two Associations.
Sincerely,
Tim Boggan
Regarding the 150-entry Canadian
Closed, played May 17-20 in the Tait McKenzie
building at York University in Toronto, Im going to
give you the results of the events, then follow with
excerpts from articles in the Toronto Star by
Christopher Young, Lance Hornby, and James
Davidson that were reprinted in the OTTA
Update, Spring, 1985.
Mens: Final: Joe Ng over Alain
Bourbonnais, 14, 9, 7. Semis: Ng over Horatio
Pintea, 20, 19, 16; Bourbonnais over Zoran
Kosanovic, 18, 19, -14, -19, 15. Quarters: Ng over Eddie Lo,
12, 19, 18; Pintea over David Mahabir, 19, 18, 15; Bourbonnais
over Bert Flisberg, 18, -12, 18, 13; Kosanovic over Bao Nguyen,
8, 8, -13, 9.
87

Joe has been winning

Championships for a long time.

Womens Final: Mariann Domonkos over Thanh Mach, -19, 17, 19, -18, 10. Semis:
Domonkos over Gloria Hsu, 16, -17, 18, 21; Mach over Cindy Choy, 14, 11, 15. Quarters:
Domonkos over Becky McKnight, 11, 10, 21; Hsu over Helen Simerl, -12, 20, -15, 14, 16; Mach
over Sylvie Leveille, 14, 11, 15; Choy over Julia Johnson, 15, 17, 19. Hsu, youll note, gave a good
account of herself, especially since shes preoccupied with two jobs. Reportedly shes an animator
at Atkinson Films in Ottawa, and also under Coach Guoxi Su at the National Training Centre at
Carleton University she works out five or six times a week, 2 and hours a day.
Mens Doubles: Final: Paul Judd/Eddie Lo over Greg Chao/
Richard Chin, 15, 7. Semis: Judd/Lo over Bao Nguyen/Horatio
Pintea, 17, -13, 21; Chao/Chin over Bourbonnais/Mitch Rothfleisch,
-14, 12, 19.
Womens Doubles: Gloria Hsu/Thanh Mach over Julia
Johnson/Becky McKnight, 17, -11, 18. Semis: Hsu/Mach over
Cindy Choy/Fong Seow, 13, 11; Johnson/McKnight over Mariann
Domonkos/Helene Bedard, 11, 15.
Mixed Doubles: Final: Mariann Domonkos/Horatio Pintea
[their third National Mixed in a row] over Diane Bourdages/Bao
Nguyen, 10, 12. Semis: Domonkos/Pintea over Cindy Choy/John
Mah, 14, 6; Bourdages/Nguyen over Becky McKnight/David
Mahabir, 15, 14.
Mens Doubles Winners
Senior Men: Final: Bill Cheng over Ron Bickerstaffe, 19, 10,
Paul Judd and Eddie Lo
12, after Ron had advanced by Alan Cornish, 10, 10, -19, 20.
Senior Women: Final: Marie Kerr over Valentina Subathikas, 12, 13.
Mens U-2000: Final: Charles Woo, 10, 15, over Andrew Giblon whod earlier advanced
by Danny Ho, 21, 21.
Womens U-1600: Debbie Poh over Kathy Wells, 15, 13.
Torontos Joe Ng, 21, and a
University of Toronto student, won his first
Canadian National Mens Championship by
easily defeating in the final Quebecs Alain
Bourbonnais who in the semis had scored
an exciting five-game upset of former
Champion Zoran Kosanovic. Ng, reporter
Hornby said, had atrocious luck in this
tournament [how about giving us at least

Alain Bourbonnais
From OTTA Update,
Spring, 85

Zoron Kosanovic
Photo by Neal Fox

one example?], but obviously he wasnt the

worse for the experience. A major
component of the CTTAs three-year plan
leading to the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Ng
leaves for Canton, China in August to play in
the World Cup. As for Boubonnais
success, Hornby quotes CTTA Technical
88

Director Adham Sharara as saying, What Alain did [in beating Kosanovic] was the fruit of the sixyear plan weve just completed. We had him playing in strong tournaments when he was 15 and 16
and now at 22 he can beat players of international caliber.
Christopher Young tells us that While the thunder rolled
and roared around York Universitys Tait McKenzie building,
Mariann Domonkos and Thanh Mach got into a rumble of their
owna wild five-game set. For Domonkos, it was her ninth
National Singles title in a row, leaving her one short of Violetta
Nesukaitiss record of 10 Championships (1965-75).
Domonkos says she has little memory of coming to the
U.S. from Hungary as a seven-year-old with her parents. Now,
at 27, shes definitely an elder at the game and her domination
has led some officials to privately voice hopes that shed just
slow down a step and let some of the youngsters on the national
circuit, like Mach, get a chance at the big prize. [Well, since
Mach went into the fifth with Mariann, youd have to say she just
had that chance.]
By 1988 and the Seoul Olympics, Mariann realizes shell
be 30. But who knows how shell be playing then. Right now,
Mariann Domonkos
she says, Ive gotten a new table tennis lifeI havent lost this
and Thanh Mach
year yet. The Domonkos-Mach match lasted 64 minutes, a
match-up of savvy and speed featuring 70-mph rallies and numerous lead changes. Savvy won out.
It was enjoyable out there, said the Chateuguay native. A lot of quick exchanges, lots of
attacking. You could just let loose.
As of now, Marianns going back to school to study industrial design. Table tennis training
is tough. You begin to take the sport too seriously. I have to have other things going so I can stay
sharp. But Id like to stick around to the Olympics.
Young points out that Bourbonnais had beaten Ng on Friday night in the Team play.
Provincial teams vie for the Marg Walden trophy thats awarded at the National Championship for
best overall performance. This year, given Ngs National Championship win over Bourbonnais,
Ontario just nosed out Quebec, 453 to 451 points. Young thought Bourbonnais his own worst
enemy in his Closed final with Ng, pouting after missed points and obviously losing concentration.
Said Joe in acknowledgement, Sometimes Alain has a tendency to do that. He gets mad at
himself.

89

Chapter Six
1985: Tom Wintrich (SPIN, May-June 1985, Cover+) Gives Us
His World Championships Overview. 1985: Canadas Toni
Kiesenhofer On Selected Mens Matches (OTTA Update, Summer,
1985, 17-19).
Tom Wintrich:
Imagine the International Table Tennis
Federation surpassing the extravagant hoopla of
Americas Academy Awards.
Heres ITTF President Roy Evans live from
Gothenburg, Sweden before an international television audience of 500
million, half of whom are Chinese. He calmly approaches the microphone,
and says, The envelope, please.
The best table tennis performance, male and female, by a country in
both team and individual competitionand the winner isThe Peoples
Republic of China!
For five minutes there is non-stop applause accompanied by 92
Roy Evans
covering cameras in the participating countries of this 38th World
Championships; when the applause subsides there are concluding panoramic views of one million
people watching on 25 giant screens in Beijings Tiananmen Square.
And now the best table tennis performance by a country in
mens doublesthe envelope, pleaseand the winner is
Sweden!
This time non-stop applause accompanies live scenes of
joyous Swedes throughout the host country celebrating Mikael
Appelgren and Ulf Carlssons win.
Dream on Ping-Pong cognoscenti and consider another
special award the fictional Table Tennis Academy might present.
In recognition of the best team of any sport in the
world by virtue of their unequaled superiority, we honor the
womens table tennis team of China.
End of Awards fantasyby default to reality.
Since Calcutta, India, 1975, to Gothenburg, Sweden,
1985, the Chinese women have won the Marcel Corbillon
Cuptable tenniss most prestigious award for womens team
competitionsix times, which is to say every time. In that tenyear consecutive team-reign at the biennial worlds, Chinas
women have collected 12 additional world titlesfour each in
Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles with their home-country
partners. All 12 of those titles have been successive victories
starting from 1979 in Pyongyang, North Korea. In the past four
Swedens Mikael Appelgren/Ulf
worlds then, the Chinese women could not have done better.
Carlsson are elated on winning the
A tie in womens team table tennis is the best of five
1985 World Mens Doubles
matches
with three match victories needed to win. In team ties
Championship
90

VM I Bordtennis, I Scandinavium, 28 Mars - 7 April 1985

at the last four

Worlds, the
Chinese women
have 37
consecutive
victories in which
theyve tallied 111
match wins out of
the 112 theyve
played. They have
a current string of
81 consecutive
match wins, which
is a perfect record
since the 1981

Worlds at Novi Sad, Yugoslavia.

The Chinese men, in posting an astonishing record of successes as well, have established
themselves as the undisputed masters of mens table tennis. With one exceptionmens doubles. At
the last 12 worlds, they have won the mens doubles only four times. European teams won the
other eight. Thus, except for China, Asian teams have been unsuccessful in doubles since 1963. At
least the Chinese men, unlike the women, have room for improvement. [Of course word has it that
the Chinese, dominant as theyve been, could have won other mens doubles had they wanted to.]
[As for the Mens Team matches, in Stage One the 16 teams in the Championship Division
were divided into two round robin groups of eightwith group A headed by China and Group B by
Sweden. In Stage Two, moving toward the final, there would be crossover matches, most
prominently the #1 finisher in Group A would play the #2 finisher in Group B, and the #1 finisher in
Group B would play the #2 finisher in Group A. In Stage Three the winners of those specific
crossover matches would meet for the Championship. (Also those teams not in contention for the
title would play finishing crossover matches to determine their final positions. Were last years
format to be followed this year, the two teams finishing 15th and 16th would be relegated out of the
Championship Division and would be replaced by the top two teams from the Second Division.)]
Unlike the Chinese women, the Chinese men didnt win the team event without dropping
matches. But thats because their competition is tougherlike the South Korean men.
Americans are considered fighters thanks in large part to Danny Seemillers past
performances and more recently (though less so at this worlds) to Eric Boggans. But it may be
South Korea more accurately deserves the fighter label. Here in Gothenburg, against the Chinese in
the fifth round of Group A competition, with no hope of securing a shot at the world title even if
victorious [for theyd still have two losses and couldnt finish #1 or #2 in the Group], the Koreans
challenged the Chinese with a vengeance no other team duplicated. Their display of team spirit,
individual intensity, and unintimidated play noticeably rattled the Chinese, right up to the ninth and
final match.
It was penhold versus penhold with one exception. China fielded their lefty shakehand
player Wang Huiyuan, a chopper with offensive skills that rival his defensive ones. (The same can be
said of Chen Xinhua, Chinas righty shakehand star.) Wangs two wins (over Ahn Jae Hyung and
Kim Wan) were key to Chinas victory, especially his defeat of Kim Wan who was most responsible
for South Korea pressing the Chinese to the nine-match limit.
91

Understatement
works well to describe
Kims rare stylea
two-winged penhold
hitter. Doesnt sound
very formidable until
you see his penhold
backhand kill.
Hyperbole works well
to describe that shot
totally awesome.
Untold times he scored
with it against Jiang
Jialiang when he took
J.J. down in three in the
second match of the tie.
And throughout that
match Kim played
with an emotional
intensity even Danny
Chinas World Champion Jiang Jialiang
Seemiller would envy.
After every point he scored, there was his vocal cheer, raised
clenched fist, and victory dance. It was sweet revenge for Kim,
South Koreas Kim Wan
Photo by Mal Anderson
whom Jialiang had beaten out of $16,000 in the final of the 84
World Cup.
After
Ahn Jae Hyung
had defeated
Chen Longcan
in the fifth match
for South
Koreas second
win, and Kim
Wan had kept
South Korea
alive by toppling
Chen Longcan,
19 in the third in
South Koreas Ahn Jae Hyung
Chinas Chen Longcan
Photo by Robert Compton
From July, 1986 World Cup Program
the seventh
match, that
made the tie 4-3 China. Kim Ki Taek, who would convincingly knock Danny Seemiller out of
the singles draw, then surprised everyone by defeating Wang Huiyuan in three to 4-4 tie up the
tie.
Now, lo and behold, it was Chinas new Golden Boy, World #1, Jiang Jialiang, who against
Ahn 19, 15 finished the job for China. A tough 5-4 loss for South Korea, but still they can be
extremely proud of the tournaments best team performance in a losing effort.
92

Jiang Jialiang is more than the Golden Boy in China. He was/is the Chosen One for the Mens
Singles title. Chjnas eight seeds in the draw stacked the deck in their favor. With their talent they simply
cant miss advancing several players into the late rounds. That also means they cant avoid meeting one
another. After the field of 128 had been reduced to 16, the eight Chinese seeds were still very much alive.
But then in those eighths, three Chinese (He Zhiwen, Fan Changmao, and Chen Xinhua) were
eliminated from the top half of the drawJiangs half. The other four made it through for an all-Chinese
line-up in the bottom-half quarters. Jiang would not have to play a single Chinese until the finalthat is,
unless you count his semis opponent, 22-year-old Lo Chuen Chung of Hong Kong.
Los success with his unusual style is remarkable. Hes an expert at the half-blockvery
much like our own Houshang Bozorgzadeh. According to Ricky Seemiller (who beat him in the
team competition) Los backhand pips are medium long. These allow him not only to effectively
block fast shots back slow and short, but also to counter or hit strongly with them if he contacts the
ball flat. (If he used truly long pips he wouldnt be able to hit the ball as flat or as predictably.)
Consequently, he was forever altering the pace of the ball. He did this by playing close to the table
with minimal movement, thus giving the most lackadaisical appearance of any of the world-class
players. It just doesnt look like this guy should win.
Of course he didnt against J.J. who had warmed up by practicing with one of his
countrymen who was mimicking Los style exactly, even using the same type of pips. Lo did take
the third at 18, but only for the record books.
Chen Longcan had prevailed over Wang Huiyuan and then Teng Yi to meet Jiang in the final.
There was no question concerning the outcome and there was no pretense of struggle by either
player. No matter that the spectators had jeered the play,* Jiang was predestined to be the new
World Men Singles Champion; Chen did his part by losing.
Given the Chinese womens superiority as seen in the team competition, its really
unfortunate the rest of the world hasnt yet reached the same level of play. The final rounds of
current world championship play virtually equal a private tournament among the Chinese: seven of
eight quarterfinalists in womens singles, all four semis teams in the womens doubles, and three of
the four semis teams in the mixed.

Chinas 1985 World Womens Champion Cao Yanhua

From Butterfly TT Report, 3, 79

Chinas Geng Lijuan,

1985 World Womens Runner-up
Photo by Yvon Carles

Cao Yanhua (never needing a five-game match) repeated as Womens Singles Champ;
Chinas Geng Lijuan, rallying from down 2-0 in the quarters to Chinas Jiao Zhimen, and from
93

down 2-1 to Dai Lili in the semis, was runner-up. Dai and Geng (Horatio Pinteas future wife) took
the Womens Doubles over Cao and Ni Xialian. And Cao with Cai Zhenhuas help won the Mixed
over the Czechs Marie Hrachova/Jindrich Pansky who in the semis had -18, 19, 22 struggled by
Chinas Chen Xinhua/Tong Ling.
Henan Li Ai still corresponds with and offers advice to her prize students He Zhili and Dai
Lili. When she was asked if the Chinese women are frustrated by the nearly all-Chinese finals, she
said, Not at all. They have trained very hard and sacrificed personally to become so good. They
are very proud of their table tennis accomplishments.
While China alone takes almost all major World
Championships, Sweden, hosting this years event for the fifth time,
set a new participation record with 92 associations represented.
And the Swedish players themselves were right there at the center
of play with the Chinese. Retiring Swedish National Coach Thomas
Berner summarized the teams talent with this statement: All nine of
the players we have in the singles are fully capable of beating all the
top European players. Never before have we had such quality in
depth as we have now. No braggadocio there, just an accurate
assessment of the worlds number two team comprised of Erik
Lindh, Mikael Appelgren, Jan-Ove Waldner, Ulf Carlsson, Ulf
Bengtsson, Stellan Bengtsson, Jorgen Persson, Jonny Akesson, and
Jonas Berner. [Stellan is now married and a father and hopes that
Swedish Coach Thomas Berner the inner harmony hes feeling will have a positive effect on his play.]
The tournament announcer supplied the hype throughout the
competition. After matter-of-factly introducing any Swedish opponent he would switch to his
professional voice: and representing Sweden, the current National Champion, Eri-KA LEEND!
Or how about his Apple intro: currently ranked seventh in the world, please welcome, Mikael
Appel-GREN!
The partisan fans loved it and who could deny the host country its self-promotion? From
day one the Swedes were expected to meet the Chinese in the team final, a goal they accomplished
by losing only 11 matches out of 40 from Stage One through their Stage Two crossover tie. (For
comparison, the Chinese lost six matches.) No team on their side of the Stage One draw really
pressed them, although Japan got off to a challenging start against them.
Hideo
Gotoh opened
the tie with a
three-game
victory over
Erik Lindh.
Gotoh is a
formidable
chopper and
to the partisan
fans dismay
he put on an
Swedens Erik Lindh
Japans Hideo Gotoh
electrifying
Photo by Robert Compton
From Tennis de Table, April, 90
performance
94

returning Lindhs loops from deep in the court. (Danny Seemiller thought Lindh played Gotoh
wrong, should not have looped so hard so often since Gotoh thrives on fast attack.) Left-handed
penholder Kiyoshi Saito then took down left-handed shakehander Mikael Appelgren in three. But
that was it for Japan. From Waldners defeat of 1979 World Champion Seiji Ono on, the Swedes
ran out the tie for a 5-2 victory, delighting the vociferous fans.
The Swedes won one
other Group B tie 5-2that was
against Denmark, or, more
specifically, against that countrys
veteran star Claus Pedersen. He
defeated both Ulf Bengtsson and
Waldner in three games.
Swedens real test,
though, was in the first crossover
against the now mighty Poland
whod come second with a 5-2
recordlosing to China 1-5 and
to Czechoslovakia 4-5. The Poles
were led by Andrzej Grubba,
World #4 and the recent winner
of the European Top 12 in
Barcelona. Grubba is about 58
tall, lean, and plays a mean
topspin game off both wings, his
Swedens Jan-Ove Waldner
Denmarks Claus Pedersen
backhand being nearly as fast as
Photo by Mal Anderson
his forehand. His peculiar trait is
his constant bouncing between points, lightly, quickly stepping from his right to left foot, barely lifting
his feet off the floor. He will do this even as he approaches the table to receive serve and doesnt
stop until the moment before his opponent puts the ball in play. Grubbas engine is set at fast idle.
Backing up Grubba is Leszek Kucharski and Stefan Dryszel. Kucharski came into the
tournament ranked 26th in the world and had finished 11th in the recent European Top 12. He is a
big man at about 63 and when you see him at his ready position he looks like hes straddling an
invisible horse, possibly a Clydesdale. Although Dryszel is not world-ranked, he plays a strong third
for Poland and against the USA he beat both Seemillers.
Sweden and Poland traded wins through the first four matches of their tie, which was a
classic confrontation of European topspinners. Kucharski knocked off Lindh in straight games,
Dryszel lost to Waldner in three, Grubba downed Appelgren in three, and then Waldner stopped
Kucharski cold. The fifth match, Lindh vs. Grubba, was crucial, for if Sweden didnt beat Grubba at
least once theyd be in serious trouble, given Kucharskis win and Dryszels ability to be dangerous.
Lindh came through for Sweden, though, with a straight-game win, narrowly escaping the first game
at deuce after leading 20-15. That made it 3-2 for Sweden. Then 4-2 when Appelgren finished
Dryszel in three. Grubba staved off Polands defeat by downing Waldner for his third win. But in the
eighth match Appelgren bested Kucharski, and Sweden was in the final against China, while Poland
would play Japan for third Place.
The Swedish-Polish tie provided convincing testimony that the spin and speed of modern
table tennis as played by the worlds best is to the spectators benefit. The fans erupted time and
95

again to such brilliant play as Waldner killing Kucharskis bullet loops, passing the Pole with returns
that went by him while he was still following through, or right-handed Grubba countering lefty
Appelgrens spinning forehand loops with his backhand, both players 10 feet off the table. Then too
there was Lindh, who several times spun from his extreme forehand, directing the ball around the net
post so upon landing it would bounce off nearly perpendicular to the table. And, once, Dryszel
backhand-looped a ball so quickly off the bounce with so much force that even he smiled in
disbelief at the white cannonball he had just shot past Appelgren.
Just a few good points all in a days tie.
New world-class USA spectator 17-year-old Toni Gresham focused her attention on the
playing talents of her own gender. Her assessment of the womens abilities underscores the athletic
prowess of the worlds best. They play like men. Meaning? I can hardly believe how hard and
fast they hit and loop.
Role
models indeed,
and there are
many besides
the Chinese to
emulate. For
example, those
two from the
Netherlands
(Holland)
Bettine
Vriesekoop,
who won the
womens
Netherlands Bettine Vriesekoop
competition in
From Nittaku News, June, 83
the European
Top 12 with a
South Koreas Yang Young Ja
From Butterfly TT Report, Sept, 87
perfect 11-0 record (the next best was Zsuzsa Olah of
Hungary at 8-3), and Mirjam Kloppenburg.
Holland finished second (5-2) in Group A behind powerhouse North Korea, but ahead of
Czechoslovakia, Japan, and France. That won them the right to meet China in the first crossover,
which really meant they would battle for third place against South Korea who in their crossover fell
(as did the South Korean men in their Group play) to political rival North Korea.
South Korea won the tie over Holland, 3-1, with Vriesekoop scoring the lone win against
Yoon Kyung Mi, but losing (as did Kloppenburg) to Yang Young Ja. Nevertheless, the emotional
play of the two Hollanders enabled their team to finish fourth overall, a considerable improvement
over their eight-place finish at the 83 Worlds in Tokyo. The bottom line here is that the
Netherlands placed the highest of any of the European womens teams, a triumph they actually
celebrated in the last tie of Stage One against Czechoslovakia.
Both Holland and Czechoslovakia had 5-2 records in Group A play, but Holland finished
second by virtue of their head-to-head finishing win. Czech Marie Hrachova had finished third at the
European Top 12, while her teammate Alice Pelikanova would be only one of five Europeans to
advance to the eighths of the Singles here before losing to Chinas 1981 World Champion Tong
Ling, a chopper. Holland got off to a great startwith Kloppenburg winning in three over
96

Hrachova, and Vriesekoop downing Pelikanova. But the Czechs battled back and the tie went
down to the third game in the fifth and final matchwith Kloppenberg winning 21-15. Vriesekoops
joyous embrace of Kloppenburg typified the exchanges of the whole Holland team.
Another outstanding non-Chinese
woman was North Koreas Li Bun Hui who
is barely older that admirer Toni Gresham. Li
is left-handed but more importantly plays
shakehands. Thats significant because North
Korea, with both their men and women, are
no longer producing just penholders. Like
the Chinese, theyre developing all styles,
something Europe might consider for both
sexes, and certainly the USA should think
about in long-range planning for its mens
team.
Li had to have the highest high-toss
serve at the tournament. From a perfectly flat
palm she would launch the ball skyward a
North Koreas Li Bun Hui
good 20 feet. Interestingly, she held her
Photo by Mal Anderson
racket much like a penholder and would
quickly re-grip after contact. Li came into the competition ranked 31st in the world, but posted an
undefeated record in womens team play until the final against China. She logged wins over South
Koreas world #6 Yang Young Ja and Hollands world #7 Bettine Vriesekoop. But none of the
North Koreans could take a match from China, though Li did win a deuce game from He Zhili.
Kom Igen Sverfige!
Thats Comb-E-N Svear-a-gah!Comb-E-N Svear-a-gah!Comb-E-N Svear-agah! While China was beating North Korea in the womens team final, 6,000 Swedes were
focused on the mens team final, chanting
encouragement (Lets go, Sweden!), stomping their
feet, and tooting air horns. At long last their beloved
team was one-on-one with the Chinese. Unfortunately
the tie didnt last very long.
China fielded chopper Chen Xinhua and their
two penhold stars Jiang Jialiang and Chen Longcan.
Sweden came out with Erik Lindh, Mikael Appelgren,
and Jan-Ove Waldner.
Chen Xinhua is the new animated Chinese
shakehander. The previous one, Cai Zhenhua, was
noticeably absent from team and singles play, although
he did compete in mens and mixed doubles. Chen is
Mr. Carefree, a happy-go-lucky guy on court who
seems to relish the competition. Always has a smile that
Chinas
Chen Xinhua
borders on a smirk but is just soft enough not to be
From English TT News;
considered offensive. Blow one by him and he smilingly
photo by Ian Ball
shrugs it off, appearing as if hell just have to win the
next two points.
97

Lindh socked several balls by him in the first match of the tie but far too few to give him a
real chance. A great problem when playing a defensive expert like Chen is the mans offense. He
has an amazing ability to chop two or three and then suddenly return topspin to initiate a counterspinning point. Hes also a great looper and scored frequently by attacking. Xinhuas got all the
shots and hes so effective because he mixes them up throughout the match. Modern defensive
players at the world level are all-around players. Lindh goes down 16, 16.
After losing the first game to Jiang at 18, The Apple drove the partisan fans wild when in
the second he ripped in a backhand winner following a furious six-ball topspin exchange, then
forced the match into the third. But, with Jiang generally blocking very well before passing
Appelgren with crisp pips-out hitting, Mikael couldnt score the win. So, China 2-Sweden 0.
The fans were definitely disappointed with Appelgrens loss, and now it doesnt get any
better for the Swedes. Waldner comes out and, with neither player displaying will enough to try to
close the gap, splits two lopsided games with Chen Longcan. When in the third Chen extends his
lead from 16-14 to 19-14, J-O cant contest. And so it goes, Jiang over Lindh, Chen Xinhua over
Waldner, as China blitzes Sweden in the final, 5-0.
Still, the style differences made for interesting spectating. Long-stroke shakehand players
committed to topspin versus compact-stroke penholders bound to blocking and hitting. One style is
not necessarily better than the other, but penhold simplicity and quickness definitely have an
advantage in this game, especially when implemented by its masters. Of course the Chinese dont
limit themselves to penhold players, even though its been the style of most all world singles
titleholders. The Chinese expression, Let a thousand flowers blossom works well for Chinas table
tennis program.
Even China was surprised, though, with their 5-0 victory, for theyd figured with the home
crowd behind them the Swedes would take at least two matches and if these were won early that
might spur the underdogs on to actually win the title. As it was, the Swedes did slightly improve on
their third-place finish in Tokyo.
Poland had finished eighth at the 83 Worlds, but here in Gothenburg they took third,
downing Japan 5-3 in their final crossover. Although Kiyoshi Saito and chopper Gotoh both beat
Grubba, Leszek Kucharskis THREE two-straight wins, following Polands opening one/two
punchDryszel over Saito, and Grubba over Seiji Onoeliminated Japans hopes. So Chinas not
the only team Sweden will have to be concerned about in 1987.
Unknown during team competition would be the ITTFs decision near the end of the
tournament to change the traditional relegation and promotion method of categorizing teams for
subsequent Worlds. Problem was with the present system: drop down a (16 team) Division by
finishing last or next to last and it would be four years before you could make it back. (A two-year
wait for the follow-up Worlds and then, if you advanced, there would be another two-year wait to
rejoin your original category.) So now at the next Worlds some form of preliminary competition will
determine what teams go on to play in which categoriesand initially it can be
said that every team will at least have the opportunity to qualify for the coveted 16 slots in the mens
and womens Championship Division. Then, win or lose, that opportunity will repeat itself at the
very next Worlds.
However, West Germany and Chinese Taipei, having finished first and second respectively
in Second Division play, arent pleased because, although in the old format they would automatically
have advanced at the next Worlds into a Championship Division round robin, in this new format
they are no longer guaranteed to have such play. Ditto the USA mens team who, though finishing
14th in their Championship Division Group, will not be safe during highly meaningful initial play to
98

contend remaining ties there. The same with both the Canadian men and Canadian women who,
following the old format, had advancedthe men (Horatio Pintea, Joe Ng, Alain Bourbonnais, Bao
Nguyen, and Eddie Lo) into the Second Division, the women (Mariann Domonkos, Thanh Mach,
Gloria Hsu, and Cindy Choy) into the Championship Division.
[This will end Wintrichs Team article. I, however, remind you that Tom, in properly
reiterating the official ITTF I wont say lie but line, had indicated that, with this new format,
every team will at least have the opportunity to qualify for the coveted 16 slots in the mens and
womens Championship. But while its true that now no team will be initially pigeon-holed away
from the paper-possibility of playing in the Championship Division, the thought that the World title is
open to all is, as Tom and everyone else knows, theoretical nonsense.]
Toni Kiesenhofer:
The
Championship was
played Mar. 28Apr. 7 in
Gothenburgs
Scandinavium, the
This Scandanavian wood floor was custom built
largest sports
just for the Worlds
complex in Sweden
where just a couple of months ago the
Swedes scored a Davis Cup victory over the U.S. As part of the opening ceremony, Bengtsson and
Johansson gave a fun exhibition dressed as 85 World Championship Mascot Bears.
[Ill select from Tonis article excerpts on the play that arent covered elsewhere in this
chapter.] In Team play, in the Championship Division, England and France had an exciting tie.
Englands Prean defeated Birocheau in the opening match, 21-13 in the third. Then came the first
surprise (at least to me): Frances Patrick Renverse beat
Desmond Douglas, 22-20 in the third. The tall, strongas-a-bull Frenchman plays an impressive close-to-thetable looping game from both wings. Tie 1-1. Now,
though Frances Secretin scored twice, Douglas beat
Birocheau, and Alan Cooke, a young English attacker,
defeated
Renverse. Tie
3-3. Then
Secretin,
obviously
sick, had to
default
against
Douglas; but
Birocheau
balanced
against
Cooke. Tie
Englands Alan Cooke
Frances Patrick Renverse
4-4.
From English TTA News, Feb., 85
From Tennis de Table, Apr., 83
99

In the decisive ninth match, Renverse won the first game at 18; Prean the second at 19. The
third was a real treat. Prean was mixing it up with his long pips, producing smooth combinations;
Renverse was playing his most beautiful looping game, knowing that he had to continue the pressure
because Prean would take the offense without hesitation. At 19-19, the Frenchman finished the
match/the tie with two hard backhand (long to be talked about) loops.
England would also lose a 5-4 heartbreaker to Japanwith Douglas dropping a swing
match 20 and 19 to Saito.
Canada, struggling successfully to advance from the Third Division into the Second, had a
surprisingly strong 5-1 victory over Greece. Joe Ng, after losing the first game at deuce, rallied to
win the second from 20-all, and took the third as well.
In the China (5)-Poland (1) tie, in which Grubba beat Xie Saike, my connection to the
Poles assured me that Kucharski had not wanted to waste his energy in that sixth match against
Jiang Jialiang, but if they got to the final it would all be different. I was somewhat skeptical, but who
was I to suggest to anyone he was wrong.
The U.S. was down 4-1 to Czechoslovakia when Danny Seemiller sparked a rally, first
against Vladislav Broda, then, fighting, yelling, dancing, and scoring against Pansky, he brought the
tie to 4-4. But in the ninth match, against that same Broda, Dannys brother Ricky couldnt bring
home a winner. The U.S. also lost 5-4 to Hungary, though they had a great chance for a win until
Danny -19, 19, -19 fell to Takacs in the eighth match, and in the ninth Brian Masters couldnt
contest with Kriston. However, it was USA, 5-4, in their critical first crossover tie with Italywith
Danny and Eric winning two, and Brian one.
The Hungarians (without Klampar) gave the Poles a 4-5 much harder time than expected.
This was due largely to the fact that the Polish team, after great playing and excellent results, seemed
arrogant and rude. There was table kicking, racket throwing, and a lot of swearing. Kucharski,
particularly, was not happyhe lost to young Harczi, 18, -25, -20, and to Takacs, -5, 18, 19.
Hong Kong also played a 3-5 much stronger match against Poland than anticipated. Lo
Chuen Chung went 19 in the third with Kucharski, then, with Poland leading 4-2, it was Grubbas
turn to meet Lo and he won the first at 15. At which point Lo asked for and got an official time out
because his hard rubber had ripped. His coach got him a new sheet and carefully glued it to Los
racket. But it didnt fitthe rubber sheet was too small and the referee wouldnt let him play with it.
However, they stretched this no-sponge sheet a bit until it was playable and Lo went on to take the
match from Grubba.
Denmark finished last in their Group, but they had a hell of a 4-5 fight with Indiaseven of
the nine matches went into the third, and the tie wasnt decided until Sujay Ghorfade finally outlasted
Claus Pedersen 23-21 in the third.
The final of the Teams saw China blitz Sweden 5-0. Let me say this about the Swedes.
Lindh plays a fast, close-to-the-table offensive game, as if adopting the Chinese table tennis
philosophy. If all the risks he takes were to go in his favor, he could certainly be successful against
the strongest Chinese players. Appelgrens looping game is much too defensive to deter the quick,
hard-hitting Chinese attackers. Whenever he stayed in close and played hard loops from either side
he scored a series of points. But as he was not able to keep up the pressure, he was forced away
from the table where he lost point after point. As for Waldner, he just didnt look too good.
[Swedish Coach Thomas Berner told Sue Butler that, my three best players have an interest in
different clubs and sponsorships and play in the German Bundesliga. That presents some problems
as they have to travel too much and cant practice every day.]
100

Final Team standings: 1. China. 2. Sweden. 3. Poland. 4. Japan. 5. Peoples Republic of

Korea (North Korea). 6. Yugoslavia. 7. Czechoslovakia. 8. France. 9. South Korea. 10. England.
11. Hong Kong. 12. India. 13: Hungary. 14. USA. 15. Denmark. 16. Italy.36. Canada67
(last). Bermuda.

Swedens Ulf Tickan Carlson

Yugoslavias Ilija Lupulesku

Photo by Mal Anderson

On now to the Singles. Ill start with the round of 128. Former Japanese World Champion
Seiji Ono lost to Hungarys Takacs. Yugoslavias young Lupulesku lost in a fantastic match to
Swedens Ulf Carlsson, 17 in the 5th. Europes #1 Grubba lost to Japans Myazaki in four. Frances
Renverse lost to Italys Costantini. Chinas #2 seed Xie Saike losno, he didnt, but he had to go
five to beat Yugoslavias Bela Mesaros. Canadas Joe Ng lost to the Czech Dryszel in four.
That left 64 players. Here Chinas future winner Jiang Jialiang lost one of his two games in
the Singlesto Canadas Horatio Pintea (whod advanced over Australias Gary Haberl). Hory,
looping from both wings, turned in an excellent -15, 15, 15, 18 performance. Hong Kongs Lo
Cheun Chung eliminated Hungarys Tibor Klampar. A surprise:
Swedens European Champion Ulf Bengtsson lost to West
Germanys Ralf Wosik, deuce in the 5th. And another surprise:
Costantini downed Polands volatile Kucharskiwhich meant
that none of the Poles came out of the round of 64!
Out of the round of 32 came only four Europeans:
Yugoslavias 39-year-old Surbek [who said, Chinese players
are replacing older Europeansearly rounds are no longer
warm-ups]. Swedens Lindh (he advanced over Chinese
Taipeis 1984 U.S. Open winner Wen-chia Wu). Bulgarias
Mariano Loukov (an upset winner over both Japans Saito and
Czechoslovakias Pansky!). And Swedens Appelgren (whod
eliminated the Czech Orlowski). South Koreas Kim Ki Taek
had a notable win over Jan-Ove Waldner in five.
All the Europeans were eliminated in the round of 16.
Surbek lost to Jiang Jialiang, 3-0; Lindh fell in five to Chinas
Wang Huiyuan; Loukov went down in straight games to Chinas
Chen Longcan; and Appelgren was stopped by Chinas Teng Yi.
Japans Yoshihito Miyazaki
Two surprises were: Lo Chuen Chungs and Japans Yoshihito
Photo by Robert Compton
101

Miyazakis advance (both took out ChineseLo defeated Fan Changmao 3-0, and after Miyazaki
had squeaked by Russias Andrei Mazunov, 18 in the 5th, he upset Chen Xinhua 3-0).
The quarters saw Jiang over Kim, 3-0; Chen over Wang, 18 in the 4th; Lo over Miyazaki
in four; and Teng over Xie, deuce in the 4th.

Chinas Xie Saike

From Quest Technology ad

The semis went to Jiang over Lo in four, and Chen

over Teng in straight games.
The final: Jiang over Chen 14, 21, 18. Jiang, a model
athlete, was too quick, too strong, and technically too good
for Chen.
[This ends Tonis article, and Wintrich and I will go
on in the next chapter to describe our USAs play in
Gothenburg.]

Chinas Teng Yi
From Tennistavolo, Mar., 89

SELECTED NOTES.
*Sue Butler said (SPIN, May-June, 1985, 20) that, Immediately after the Mens World
Singles Championship between Jiang Jialiang and Chen Longcan, I questioned Cai Zhenhua about
the match. To me it was a lackluster affair devoid of the fighting spirit one expects of world-class
athletes, especially when a world title is at stake. I was not alone in this feeling as the fans
themselves had expressed their disapproval with jeers and
whistles.
Heres her interview with Cai:
SUE: Why dont the Chinese players fight as hard to win
against each other as they do against opponents from other countries?
CAI: In a final with two Chinese players the motherland
already has a title. The individual who wins is not important.
SUE: Do you understand why the crowd is jeering, booing,
and insulting you during these all-Chinese finals?
CAI: Yes.
SUE: It is very difficult for the rest of the world to understand
Cai Zhenhua
why
you
dont fight. Dont you think its bad for the sport?
From Frances Tennis de Table
102

CAI: We are not trained to care about such things.

SUE: Cmon. Wont Chen Longcan go to his room tonight and be depressed that he lost so
badly? I saw him holding the World Singles trophy a few minutes ago and he was looking at the
names inscribed on it. I wondered what he was thinking.
CAI: Of course everyone wants to win. The loser can never be happy with a loss.
SUE: Thank you for your honesty. Whats in your future? I cant believe #5 in the world
didnt play in the Singles. Surely with eight spots for China one of them should have been yours?
CAI: I am in a very difficult position to answer this question. The color rule really affected
me and my ability to win has been lessened. It is not my business to say whether I can play in the
Team event or not. The coaches decide such things. [Ogimura tells Sue that the Europeans wish to
stage a comeback by bringing the top Chinese players down by rule changes. I dont think it will
work.]
SUE: But in the individual event surely you should have played. You are one of the most
colorful performers in the world. People want to see you play.
CAI: In my opinion I couldnt have beaten any of the final eight men. Many players back in
China are much better right now than I am.
SUE: What are you going to do then in the future? Retire, or practice harder to improve
your technique?
CAI: Work harder, and if I gain something then I will have success again. Maybe Ill come
to the U.S. and be the ace player on the American team.

103

Chapter Seven
1985: USA Team Play at the Gothenburg (Goteborg)
WorldsTom Wintrich on the Womens; Tim Boggan on the
Mens. (Also U.S. Mens/Womens Individual Results.)
U.S. Womens play:
The USA Womens team, led by 15-year-old Lan Vuong
who posted a 7-4 match record, fought admirably to finish 28th
overall in World Team competition. It was a good showing indeed
for the four women making their World Championship debut.
Supporting Lan in her starring performance (she often played with
great poise and strength) were Jin Na, Lisa Gee, Takako
Trenholme, and coach Henan Li Ai.
USA-Indonesia
The U.S. was seeded second in their seven-team Stage One round robin. Unfortunately
their lead-off tie against Indonesia was a five-match losing effort that proved to be critical in terms of
the final standings. Lan Vuong, whod won the womens event in an Angby Sports Club-sponsored
tournament a week earlier in Stockholm, continued her winning ways with a three-game victory over
chopper Diana Wuisan. Lan won the first game at 8, lost the second after being the victim of an
edge ball at 19-all, then played more patiently, picked more carefully,
and won easily at 11. But then USAs chopper, Jin Na, had difficulty
keeping her returns low and lost to Carla Tedjasukmana two straight. Tie
1-1.
After Vuong and Jin lost the doubles, Lan came back to defeat
Carla to tie up the tie again. Now in the decisive fifth matchJin against
Wuisanthe players split one-sided games, both women scoring with
pick-hits off high returns. In the end-game third, the U.S. player had a
commanding 20-17 triple-match-point leadonly to see Wuisan
courageously hit in winners to run out the game.
USA-New Zealand
Tie two was against New Zealand, but the women from Down
Under, Jan Morris and Kadia Rice, couldnt down the Americans. Jin
and Vuong each won their opening singles, then Lan paired with 16year-old Lisa (who showed no fear in her Worlds debut) to end the tie.
USA-Switzerland
Next up Switzerland, and the U.S. doubled its win record. They
repeated as in the last tie their two-singles start, but this time Lan and
Lisa lost the doubles in three. Then, however, Lan, who always played
the #1 position, staved off a three-game challenge by Brigette Hirzel.
Lans serve-and-follow game was again key to her victories (especially
in first-game confrontations), but even when opponents adjusted to her thirdball attack she kept the offensive pressure on with her unrelenting looping.
104

Statue of Aborigine - but

who would fear this
New Zealander?

USA-Australia
In tie four,
Australian stalwarts
their young Champion
Nadia Bisiach and
penholder Myung
Hee Nostopped
the Americans, 3-1.
The U.S. lost their
first three singles, Lan
dropping both in
U.S. Team Member Lan Vuong
three, the last against
No at deuce. Lan and Lisa did win the doubles, 18 in the
third. Their confident, consistent offensive play, combined
with exceptional teamwork (they traded roles of shotenabler and shot-producer) to overcome a first-game loss.
Australian Champion Nadia Bisiach

USA-India
In tie five against India, USA raised its record to
3-2 with a convincing victory over Vyoma
Parikh and Indu Puri. India, whom we zipped,
would finish first in our Group C, losing only to
the U.S.

From Australian TT Newsletter, Vol. 24, #2

USA-Austria
But in the sixth tie, Austria beat us 3-1.
Lan opened by defeating Elizabeth Maier, 19 in
the 3rd. Jin, though, couldnt contain the attack
of Barbara Wiltsche. In the doubles, Lan and
Indias
Lisa lost the first, but up 20-19 in the second,
Vyoma Parkikh
Lisa confidently stepped in and countered a
loop down the line to even the match. But then they couldnt win the third. When Maier defeated
Jin, the U.S. was left with a Stage One record of 3-3. However, since Indonesia with their 3-3
record had beaten us head-to-head, we finished not fourth but fifth in our Group.
This meant that in the Stage Two first crossover wed be playing the sixth-place finisher in
Group D, Denmark. Win that tie and wed be playing Luxemburg for 25th Place, lose it and wed
be playing New Zealand for 27th.
USA-Denmark
Against Denmark, coach Li fielded Lan and Lisa for both singles and doubles. Lisa hadnt
played singles yet, but that didnt keep her from coming through for the team. She lost the first game
against Susanne Pedersen, but maintained her composure and aggressively spun and hit her way to
a 21-17 win in the third. It was a satisfying moment for a smiling Lisa who received a strong round
of applause from the USA spectators. Lan also defeated Pedersen. Disappointingly, though, neither
Lan nor Lisa could beat Denmarks #1 Charlotte Polk. Her two wins plus Denmarks doubles
victory (14 in the 3rd) gave the Danes the tie, 3-2.
105

USA-New Zealand
Takako Trenholme
had patiently waited for
her own competitive
debut, all the while
encouraging her
teammates during the first
seven ties. The U.S. was
facing the same New
Zealand team wed
blitzed before. This time,
though, neither Lan nor
Jin was playing. Lisa led
Jan Morris
off against Jan Morris and
Photo by Mal Anderson
in the first
game the two fought on and on, point for
point. Lisa, however, couldnt capitalize on
her ads and finally lost 25-23. She rebounded,
though, with confident stroking and blocking
to take the second game at 18. But in the third
it was Morris all the way.

Lisa Gee
Photo by Mal Anderson

New Zealands Kadia Rice

Photo by Mal Anderson

Takako Trenholme
Photo by Robert Compton

Now it was Takakos turn and she

came out and won her first World
Championship match from Kadia Rice with
her pips-out blocking and hitting. Then she
and Lisa had no trouble taking the doubles for
a 2-1 lead.
In the fourth match, though, the
experienced Morris was able to handle

Swedens Barbro Wiktorsson

106

Takakos pips and this produced a first and third game win for her. So the U.S. was in its third fivematch tie. It was Gee against Rice and the two shakehanders exchanged games at 16. In the third,
Lisa again displayed her fighting spirit, challenging Rice to the end with aggressive play, but falling
short at 18.
Finishing 27th instead of 28th wasnt important. Gaining experience was the real objective of
this USA team, and the lessons learned will benefit Americas women at the next Worlds.
USA Singles and Doubles Results
Before I continue with the U.S. Mens Team play, Im going to briefly tell you anything
worth telling you about USA Singles and Doubles play. Ladies first: Lisa Gee moved easily to her
second Qualifying Round where she had no chance against Japans Nobuko Kohno. Jin Na won
her Opening-Round match against Maria Louka of Greece, -15, 11, 20, 8, before at least having
the fun of losing to European Champ Valentina Popova. Takako lost in her second Qualifying match
to the strong Swedish player Barbro Wiktorsson, -20, -14. And Lan, in her Opening Round, lost a
toughie, outscoring Indonesias Monalisa Barua, 98-87, but losing the match, -18, 12, 11, -20, -18.
In their first Womens Doubles Qualifier, Lisa/Takako dropped a killer to Monica Portin/
Marianne Skarpenes (Fin./Nor), -15, 20, -19. And Lan/Jin, after 19, 12 downing Singapores Kim
May Wong/Koh Li Ping, could not contest with superstars Marie Hrachova/Bettine Vriesekoop
(CZ/Neth).
The Mixed saw USA challenging: Eric Boggan/Jin moved to their third Qualifier where they
went down, 18, -10, -8 to Englands Alan Cooke/Lisa Bellinger. In their first Qualifying round,
Brian Masters paired with Swedens Anneli Johansson and lost a -19, 20, -21 heartbreaker to the
Czechs Jiri Javurek/Daniela Davidkova. Sean ONeill/Lisa were right in there, winning three
Qualifying matches before losing to Chinese Taipeis Wu Wen-Chia/Chang Shiu-Yu, -21, -10.
Danny Seemiller/Lan in their Opener knocked off Australias Robbie Javor/Nadia Bisiach then were
stopped -17, -20 by Hungarys accomplished Zsolt Kriston/Csilla Batorfi. And Ricky
Seemiller/Takako, -5, -24 fighting to the end, lost their second Qualifier to North Koreas Chu
Jong Chol/Kim Yung Hui.
Now to our Mens Singles and Doubles play. Eric, after having to go five to down the
promising young Czech Milan Grman in his Opener, didnt put up much of a four-game fight against
one of Africas best, Nigerias Atanda Musa. Brian in his first Qualifier had a good -10, 19, 18
comeback win over Ecuadors Gustav Ulloa, then was 19, 18 beaten by Thailands new arrival in
Eric Boggan

Atanda Musa
Photo by Mal Anderson

107

the U.S., Chartchai Teekaveerakit, armed with a letter of recommendation from Charlie Wuvanich,
former Thai and Australian Champion familiar to many readers from his play here in the U.S. several
years ago. Sean in his Opening Round lost -20, -18, -13 to West Germanys Joerg Rosskopf.
Danny did away with Frances Bruno Parietti in straight games, then fell to South Koreas Kim Ki
Taek, -17, -12, -21. And Ricky with Qualifying wins over Egypts Ashraf Helmy, Hong Kongs
Vong Iu Veng, and Yugoslavias Stefan Kovac, was finally brought down in four by Polands Leszek
Kucharski.
In Mens Doubles, Eric/Danny breezed through Nigerians Yomi Bankole/Thomas Ogunride,
then 19, -15, -10 gradually weakened against the Czechs Orlowski/Pansky, destined to be this
years Doubles runner-up. Brian/Ricky 15, 20 won their first Qualifier from Irelands Merwyn
Kelly/Colum Slevin, then were beaten by one of the top teams that had to qualify, West Germanys
Wilfried Lieck/ Ralf Wosik. Sean paired up with Chinese Taipeis Chung Yong and put up -19, 27, 12 fierce resistance against the Czechs Vladislav Broda/ Jiri Javurek.
U.S. Mens Play:
The not much attended opening-night ceremony at the Scandinavian had dimmed toward a
close with just a spotlight or two onwell, it was as if table tennis had suddenly taken a frightened
step backwardno, wait, surprise, it was a routine, a comic routine: two ape-like ancestors of ours
had gropingly appeared. Of course they couldnt play very wellthe costumes, you know, and it
was too dark to see, even up there ON the table. So, soon, enough of this exhibition. Masks
offand Thats my husband, said Angie Rosal Bengtsson, new mother to twin boys Chris and
Sam. And with Stellan was Kjell Johanssonthe two of them in another time and place champions
of the world.
USA-Poland
Our first Mens tie was against Poland. Kucharski, standing tall as this years winner of the
Dutch and Czech Opens (in the latter hed wiped out 1-2-3-4 members of the Swedish team),
wasnt about to back off from Danny Seemillers topspin. He took it and twist-of-the-wrist sent it
hurtling back in a way Danny wasnt used to. As for Dannys off-pace blocks that back home
would have outright won him or set him up for points, Kucharski pushed or flipped them back and
either wouldnt be budged from the table or voluntarily retreated to lob until he had the opportunity
to counter. Poland 1-USA 0.
Down 1-0 and 20-16 to Stefan Dryszel, Polands #3, Ricky Seemiller fought back to 19,
then rolled a serve return into the net.
Eric Boggan, whod just won a preparatory tournament in Stockholm that hed kept trying
to back out of, faced Grubba, winner of the English and Welsh Opens and only a month ago the
European Top 12. So howd their opening play begin? Eric was promptly down 0-6, thats
howthen won it at 18. In the second, Eric, down 1-7, came within a moustache-length of catching
this Poland leading-man type at 9-10, then down 10-12 failed to return servewhereupon Grubba
ran out the game. In the third, Eric was up 5-1, then quickly all tied up at 6-all. Down 9-11, Eric got
caught out of position, and down 12-16 there seemed little he could do, or wanted to do, and
Grubba again ran out the game.
So four times in the match Eric had lost (6, 6, 9, 5) huge chunks of points. Perhaps team
psychologist Nisse Sandberg, who had earlier been speaking to me about the new Angby Club
underwear (worth a couple of points to anyones potential score, would you say?), needed to be at
the ready.*
108

Down 19-18 in
the first against
Dryszel, Danny
blocked the Poles
serve off, lost the
game at 19. In the
second, Dryszel,
controlling the game,
was up 14-5. But
Danny kept at it.
Down 17-13 he
served short and the
Pole backhand
swept it in for the
point. Down 18-13,
Stefan Dryszel
Seemiller frustrated,
Photo by Mal Anderson
yells, I should beat
this guy. But on the very next point Dryszel comes up
aceshits in a marvelous forehand. Still Danny fights
gets to 17-19 before losing a final long point and the
match. Why didnt he play like that earlier? someone in
Danny Seemiller
Photo by Robert Compton
our entourage, shaking his head, asks.
So were down 4-0, but not disgraced, to one of the
best teams in the world. Against Kucharski, this seasons Grand Prix winner (hed had such a
commanding lead he didnt even have to go to the last tournament on the circuit, the Romanian
Open), Eric, doing his new thing, is down 6-0, 12-4, 21-5, battling, or rather not battling, something
alien, unseen. Nisse!
Now were one game away from being blitzed in a tie that everyone knows we cant win,
so what does Eric do? He wins the second game at 15. As he comes back to his bench (for
what?counseling?), nobody applauds, so Eric applauds himself and some of our players and
entourage pick up their cue from that and follow suit.
At the turn in the third game, Eric is up 10-3, then plays two totally passive points, fails to
return serve, then himself serves off, and the score is 11-7. As Eric is not now playing forcefully,
Kucharski pulls to 14-12. Twice more Eric fails to return serve, and up 16-14 he serves and misses
a follow: 16-15. But then he regains control, is up 20-16. Only to (angrily? but what is he angry
about?at times hes playing better than ever) take the worst shot, the most perverse throwaway
shot Ive ever seen. And, sure enough, hes soon lost five in a row, is down 21-20 before finally
winning 24-22.
So, Nisse, what in the hell is going on? Is it a question of biorhythms? Hardly. Eric, Im
sure, has built up over the years his own psychic system of checks and balances (neuroticisms, if
you like), but to the average person his behavior thus far has been bizarre, unpredictable. In his
three-game split with these two world-class players whove been dominating Europe all season, he
not only at times intensely tried, he at times intensely didnt try (perhaps more so than any other
world-class player in the whole tournament).
For at least one of our supporters, one of our entourage, never mind Erics six-game results.
Its just too exasperating. He has no idea what Erics head is like, why it does what it does, why its
109

achieved what it hashe only knows its not normal and that he doesnt like it (and some of our
other players heads as well). So hell grumble about Eric for the remaining 10 days of the
tournament. But O.K., O.K., a free-speaking USTTA will always be built on, will always have to
suffer the tensions of variously felt, variously expressed opposites. Hopefully, out of a self vs. society
understanding and acceptance of this (ohhh) constant strain can come real team harmony.
Erics win is our only win against Polandfor its almost a 10-point game between Grubba
and Ricky.
USA-China
In our second tie against the Chinese, we will not win a game. But then of course in the
crisscross semis later neither will the Japanese-and theyve been training in strict seclusion since
November. Well, they had their heads, and we had ours, right? Would the Japanese play a practice
match with the U.S.? Houshang had asked earlier. They would, except that our Brian Masters had
on a casual T-shirt. No practice unless he takes off that T-shirt, said the Japanese. No practice
then, said Houshang. And the U.S. moved on to practice with the Yugoslavs, where one of their
players had on a white T-shirt. No problem.
As I say, against the Chinese, not Danny, not Eric, not Brian will win a game. But live with it.
Some aficionados say, The Chinese and anyone else? Its an eight-point game.
Up 20-19 match point on Danny, Jiang Jialiang scored on a succession ofsurprise1-23 pushes.
Against the two shakehand ChineseWang Huiyuan and Chen Xinhua (who was usually
smiling and always with that touch of insouciance, of arrogance, that youd seen in former world
finalist Cai Zhenhua)Eric was certainly not playing with any spirit at all.
Though a full-bearded Mike Bushs presence was felt here at the USA ties in Gothenburg
(hed been off to and perhaps would return to an Israeli yeshiva), the English did us one better
they actually uniformed ex-team member Paul Day and squeezed him onto their bench. QUIET!
Eric yells back to his teammates. Then, down 13-5, he yells to himself, Why did I play this tie? I
only embarrass myself. And during another point, Eric, having been out-maneuvered, forced back
from the table, seems to arms-down drop all interest in the point. Hes already lost it on technique,
so what difference does it make if the Chinese misses?
USA-Czechoslovakia
Mgod, this was a tie we could easily have won. There were nine 21-19 games in this tie
and the Czechs won out 5-4which was exactly what the final score was.
In an early turnaround match, Danny had taken the first game from Orlowski (Hes afraid
to loop my servebut as soon as he rolls with the pips I gotta loop it every time) and in the
second Danny had rallied from 17-13 down to 19-all. But then hed served and pushed into the
netthen served into the net (I didnt misplay, he said. It skidded.) After that he was down 9-3
in the third and couldnt recover.
Against Pansky, Eric again got off to a terrible start. Why was he having so much trouble
concentrating? Dick Miles thought there were too many people around the players bench trying to
tell Eric what to do. Hed do best to ignore them all, said Dick. Eric has to develop his own
mental style. The decision process is his and his alone out there at the table. I told Dick I
thought that, deep down, Eric always did make his own decisionsat least I hoped so. I
thought wed already seen quite a fewsome would say too manyinstances of Erics
individuality.
110

Anyway, down 8-2 to Pansky, he fought back to take the lead at 19-18but then Pansky
got a net and finished off the game with a sensational forehand. In the second, Eric, down 10-6 and
not hitting his forehand with any intensity or power, surprised Pansky at 8-11 with a fast down-theline serve that would have won him the point had it not gone long. After that, he fell back to 10-16.
He again rallied to 16-17, then failed to return serve. Then again he rallied until Pansky, up 20-19,
caught an edge to win.
Though the Czechs were up 4-2, the U.S. didnt give up. Eric downed Orlowski, 19, 19.
(Up 14-6 in the first and losing a point he yelled angrily to himself, Think!) Then Danny, playing
like the Danny of some years ago, was not only steadily pushing and blocking well (at one point
Pansky, describing one of Dannys anti returns, zigzagged his forefinger at his bench), but was
zinging in bullet loops for winners. Match to Seemiller, 13 and 19. (That last game, at 19-all, Pansky
whiffed Dannys serve, then Danny finished serve and follow, and flared his fist on high. U.S. 4
Czechoslovakia 4.
O.K., Ricky baby, said a pumped-up Danny, your serves should work against this guy.
Just drop it over, keep the spin short. But all too soon the Czech Vladislav Broda was up 8-2 and
someone was shouting to Ricky, Try some new serves.
Yeah, we lost. But this Czech team would finish seventh in the world. And Milan Grman, the
15-year-old reserve, conqueror of Secretin in the French Open, who placed fourth in the recent
European Junior Top 12, and whom Eric would beat in five in the Singles wasnt bad either.
USA-Hungary
Against Hungary, Houshang,
though he was getting some flak
Brian Masters
about not playing 17-year-old
Photo
by Mal Anderson
Sean, whod finished third in the
Vegas Trials, decided to play Pan
Am Champ Brian Masters, and
Brian responded by beating
Hungarys #3 Janos Takacs (Takkahsh), 22, -9, 19a gutsy win.
This advantage was immediately
offset, however, when Eric lost to
the Hungarian #2 Zsolt Kriston, 18, 19, -15. Everyone seemed to
remember Erics amazing string of
Hungarys Janos Takacs
victories at the last Worlds and
was naturally disappointed that, at
this time and place (someone said he was playing too far back
from the table), he was struggling to hold his own against the good
Europeans.
Our advantage was regained, though, when Danny
downed Kriston, 19 in the third, and Eric won his remaining two
matches, including a final-game 21-8 rout of the aging Klampar.
So how about this? The U.S. was 4-3 ahead of once mighty Hungarynow minus Jonyer and
Gergely and dispirited in that they would be for years, perhaps forever, a team totally out of
contention for world titles.
111

The past was past. There were no new techniques at this dull Worldseither by the
Europeans or the Asians. Every Europeans strokein the Championship or the Second Division as
the teams tended to even outwas beginning to look like every other Europeans stroke. While the
penhold Chinese, on the ball as ever, were quick to continue their dominance.
At least the U.S. ties, if you didnt count the China one, continued to be exciting. The 4-3
swing match between Danny and Takacs was wild. In the third game, Danny down 20-13, but
igniting and then all afire, blazed to 20-19, had Takacs out of position, but the winner that would
have deuced it ticked the net cord and went long. This of course for the U.S. set off a tremor that
brought down a mountain of darknessand psychic silence.
And now, though Brian too was in the third with Kristonhed won the second at deuce
(Bravo, Brian!), had thus kept our team alive for another breathing, cheering moment, but he just
couldnt contest this deciding game. Hungary 5-U.S. 4.
I really felt down. Despite the fact that wed played three of Europes best teams better than
any U.S. Team in recent history, we still hadnt produced what everyone, orwas I getting
paranoid?almost everyone in our entourage wantedan important, encouraging victory. Without
which the grumblers, hungry, would be looking everywhere for food. I as President felt something
nibbling at me.
Away!
USA-North
Korea
Our
record was now
0-4 and next up
was North Korea.
But, no, we had
no chance.
Sean
ONeill
throughout the
tournament
always tried hard,
went for the
point-winner and
showed great
presence and
poise for one so
young. But he was
just not good
North Koreas Cho Yong Ho
Eric Boggan
enough yet,
From Nittaku News, 6, 83
From Tennistavolo, Apr., 83
especially in the
end-game, to pressure the North Koreans. One shot in his arsenalthe slow loopwould not be
much good against penhold hitters.
Against Chu Jong Choi, the North Korean #2, Danny went three but couldnt win.
Eric had Cho Yong Ho, the North Korean #1, 1-0 and 20-17 triple-match-point, but Cho
repeatedly strong-spine smacked the ball, and played an exceptionally good 19-20 point. Eric
112

finally lost that game, 26-24. Behind 9-5 in the third, Eric tied it at 9-all, but then from 15-13 down
put up little resistance.
With the U.S. behind 4-0 and the tie hopeless (in fact, unless Boggan won three, every tie
would be hopeless?), Eric had to play a chopper and almost immediately totally gave up. When
someone asked Danny why Eric had done that, Danny said, It would have taken him 15 minutes to
grind out that match, even if he could have brought himself to do it. Hes tired nowhes played
more matches than anybody on the team. Most teams try to give their best players at least some
rest. But we havent had the luxury to do that. I myself thought that Eric wasnt physically or
mentally well prepared for this tournament. He seemed to be going through some tension fatigue,
brought on in part by what he was eating or not eating. My wife Sally had just read a book called
Sugar Blues. She thought, as people were constantly abusing themselves with alcohol, cigarettes, or
dope, so they were too with sugar. She looked with a critical eye at Erics liking for chocolate.
Quick energy. But ups always brought downs.
The team and its entourage were seeing what some had predicted for it was coming to pass.
As everyone knew, the teams in the A Group, the group we were in, were unfairly much stronger
than the teams in the B Group. (In the later crossover matches, the A teams would win out over the
B teams 11-3.) If we had been in the B Group, we would have had a fighting chance to beat at least
half the field; in the A Group we were going to be hard-pressed to win a tie.
USA-South Korea
We were about to play in our sixth tie South Koreaa team that had just gone 4-5 with
China. So wed have to contend with the following very formidable players. Kim Won, whom the
Chinese were saying had the best penhold backhand in the worldhed done away with Jiang
Jialiang. Kim Ki Taek had beaten Wang Huiyuan in three. And Ahn Jae Hyung had downed Chen
Longcan, the eventual Mens Singles runner-up here.
U.S. Captain/Coach Houshang decided that at this advanced stage of the competition we
would have to accept the fact that what mattered most to us was to stay in the Championship
Division. From now on, only the first crossover tie was meaningful to uswin that and we were
sure to survive. Even if a tired Eric and Danny were somehow psychically able to fight hard in their
sixth and seventh straight tie, and we would lose to the South Koreans, say, 5-3 (Eric had never
beaten World Cup finalist Kim Wan), we would then have to score a 5-1 victory over the Hong
Kong team, whod defeated Hungary and South Korea, to break out of a four-way tie and come a
safe sixth in our Group. That clearly wasnt going to happen. So Houshangs strategy was to rest
Eric and Dannyand via an understanding between captains this gave Kim Wan a chance to sit out
too before his country played their first crossover, their world final, as it were, that evening against
the North Koreans.
Sean, unintimidated, did very well to take a game from Kim Ki Taek who in the Singles
would reach the quarters. Ricky, though, was our only winner in this tie, over the South Korean #4
Park Ji Hyun, whod also have trouble with Brians unorthodox style.
USA-Hong Kong
Our last tie before the crossover matches was against Hong Kongbut since this tie was
relatively meaningless (even if we won wed finish last in our Group), Houshang again decided to
rest both Eric and Danny.
In addition to defeating Hungary 5-4 and South Korea 5-2, Hong Kong had played both
Czechoslovakia and Poland 5-3 ties, so it figured they would beat our B team handily. But they did not.
113

The
significant result
of this tie in which
the U.S. was
down 3-0 and 41 and rallied to
win were:
Ricky lost
to Vong Iu Veng.
(He was down 9Hong Kongs Lo Chuen Chong
1 in the first,
Ricky Seemiller
Photo by Robert Compton
down 9-2 in the
second and saying, Vongs ball goes to the left, goes to the right. Those pips are weird. I dont
know what the hell hes got on his backhand, but it cant be legal, can it?) Still, he beat both Chan
Kong Wah from 18-all in the third (Chan twice failed to return serve), and Lo Chuen Chong (19 in
the third).
And despite an I cant tell whats on the ball yelp to his bench, Brian beat Chan 18 in the
third, doing a Daffy Duck little waddle in acknowledgement.
Our other two wins came when Brian beat Vong after a key 22-20 first game, and when
Sean in the ninth match, playing determinedly, keeping up the pressure, not succumbing to it,
downed Vong in three. The U.S. B team 5-Hong Kong 4.
Crossover Tie #2: USA-Hungary
There now
remained only
Sean
the two
ONeill
crossover ties.
The last of these
would be almost
meaningless
would mean one
position higher in
the final placings.
For nearly all the
teams this tie
would give their
weaker players
Hungarys Andreas Podpinka
experience. So, yes, Zsolt Harczi and Andreas
From ETTU/AIPS Bulletin, June, 85
Podpinka from Hungary would be playing and
winning over both an out-of-it Brian and an into-it Sean, and splitting wins with Danny who wanted
practice for his upcoming Singles play. Hungary 5-USA 1. But that was the second crossover to be
played, the last tie, of little consequence.
Climactic Tie #1: USA-Italy
The tie that we knew from the very beginning of the tournament would matter most was the
first all-deciding crossover one. It wasnt until India beat her last two opponents that we knew wed
114

be playing Huang Liang-coached Italy. (In the companion crossover, Hungary would avoid
relegation by beating an unhappy Denmark.)
I expected Houshang to go with the more experienced Ricky as our third man, the more so
because the Italians would remember with a faint heart Rickys win in the ninth eight years ago over
Costantinia match that sent us, and not Italy, into the Championship Division.
Some in our entourage thought Sean should play, for, though he had won only one match, hed
be sure to play with high seriousness. Besides, perhaps for variety we needed a non-anti player.
But Houshang went with Brian, not because he had the best record of the three (3-6), but
because Brians unusual style would be more apt to give at least one of the Italians trouble. If Brian
could win just one match, Eric and Danny figured to win between them the other four we needed.
In the first match against the veteran Giovanni Bisi, Danny broke away from 16-all to go up
19-16. But then Bisi made a good serve and follow. Watch the Chinese coach, Danny hollered to
his bench. This guy Huang is telling Bisi what to do every time. (Yes, thats true, Dannybut, legal
or not, coaches yell or signal to their players. They do it in every sport. Whats a coach for?) But
Danny had no difficulty in the end-game here or in the next. His win over Italy #2 started us off right,
gave us the advantage.
The next match was Eric vs. Lorenzo Nanonni, ninth-place finisher in the European Junior
Top 12. But though Eric was not hitting the ball hard, and Nanonni could get in some threatening
one-ballers, Eric was too end-game steady from 16-12 down in the second. USA 2-Italy 0.
When Brian, after rallying from 18-14 down, won the first from Massimo Costantini, Italys
#1, where was our problem? If he won the next game, the tie would be virtually over.
But from 12-all in the second, Brian played badly. In the third, up 9-5, he again lost
concentration after Costantini had gotten in a serve and follow. On serving into the net, Brian was
down 10-9 at the turn. Gradually Costantini pulled awayand Italy was still very much alive.
In the
fourth
match,
against Bisi,
Eric, down
14-12, won
nine straight.
He wasnt
going to be
ranked 18th
in the World
after this
Championship,
but one
could see
how all
Eric Boggan
Italys Giovanni Bisi
season hed
Photo by Gerd Biedermann
From Tennistovalo, Apr., 83
been good
th
at his job, winning 3/4 s of his matches for his
Bundesliga team. Bisi went back to his Chinese coach, threw up his hands. In the second game, Eric
failed to return the first two serves, but later, ahead, he was perversely defending from afar, was
confident he had an easy win.
115

Against Danny, Costantini again lost the first gameand again the U.S. was looking real
good. But then the match often turned into serve and followand, on winning the second game,
Costantini would not relinquish the momentum. U.S. 3Italy 2.
Against
Nanonni,
Brian, down
10-9, turns to
our bench and
mouths, mimes,
I cant play.
Just what we
want to hear,
huh? But
Brians not
about to give
up this match.
This one#3
Italys Lorenzo Nanonni
vs. #3is why
From Tennistavolo, Aug., 86
Houshang is
playing him. He wins the first at 17. Looking good.
Brian Masters
In the second, up 18-16, Brian serves into the
bottom of the net. But (Alright, Brian) he holds
strongand, up 4-2, we cant lose now, can we?
The seventh match is Eric vs. Costantini. But for some reason Eric cant play at allcant
return the Italians serves. Down 18-12, he gives up the game. Eric! Eric! In the second, down 9-5
and showing no forehand power at all, Eric utters an audible obscenity, and, 13-6 downNooo!
Eric, dont do it!gives up the game and match.
Ironically, its precisely this match that ABC Wide World of Sports has chosen to close in
on. For the first time ever, thanks to liaison Sue Butler, theyre finally putting together a profile on an
American playerEric. Theyll soon be sending a film crew to our home on Long Island and to
Erics apartment in a private home in Germany, and immediately after this tie, Eric, Danny, and I are
each scheduled for an interview, an interview Eric for some time now has been preoccupied in
resisting. Its as if hes saying to a persistent Sue at an increasingly critical hour, Look, the TV
people should have done all this at the last Worlds when I was up and playing well, when I
deserved it. Ive a mediocre record here in Gothenburg. Wheres the ABC logic? The world is
crazy.
And as hes playing horribly, just horribly, the cameras roll in, sight almost on the shoulders
of his teammates and shooteven as Eric, stopping play, turning away from the table, frowning,
waves them away.
No, Erics no Bobby Fischerbut youre never going to make him ordinary either.
Hell be cheering for Brian and Danny as he would his Bundesliga team, and still later hell
be calm, will give a good interview, but now his head is here, there, and everywherenowhere.
Hes routed 12 and 12.
Naturally Im feeling just sick. Nisse Sandberg, the team psychologist, will have to look
after me? If we lose to Italy, itll take all my reserve to look into that ABC camera and pretend
strength. USA 4Italy 4.
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Watching one of their own whos unable to find the desire to win, will Erics teammates rise
to the occasion? Or will Erics alien virus be contagious?
Against Bisi, from 18-all in the first, Brian wins it. Hes having a good Worlds. But in the
second hes down 11-4 Move! he roars. And from 17-1219-1620-19 down, he needs only
one more point to tie it up. Brian serves, Bisi pushes into the netand swats the ball out of the
court.
But his anger seems to work for him, gets his blood up. He comes back, serves, and
fearlessly follows. Brians rally is stopped. In the second, Brian is down 16-7no chance. U.S. 4Italy 4.
Houshang, a good captain, has prepared for this possibility. Its not up to our #3 player to
bring home this ninth match. Its up to Danny. And since he doesnt know any more than the rest of
us that in just a few days at the ITTF Delegates Meeting the category system will be abolished, he
thinks only that if he doesnt win this match he will be almost 35 years old before the U.S. is back in
the Championship Division again.
Clearly, neither players going to win by being tentative. Young Nanonnis obviously not as
good as Seemillerhe scores with forehands but he makes too many mistakes. Still, hes giving it
everything hes got. From 10-all, Danny plays with such surety that, to more and more whistling
from the Italian fans, the games never in doubt.
In the second, the same pattern prevails. From 12-all,
Danny screaming, leaping, dominates play. When he wins, we all
run happily to himbackslap, handshake, hug and kiss him.
So, though we werent the most conventional or
disciplined team to quell the critics or excite the purists, we were
a thoroughly individual American one, and, when it most
counted, a winning one.
Good team effort, guys. For the first time in modern
table tennis history, the U.S. has been among the top teams in
the world for three straight championships.
SELECTED NOTES.
*More importantly, a
short time later, Nisse
Sandberg would really need
to be at the ready. Just after
the Worlds had Closed on
the 7th, I received the
following Apr. 10th note from
him:
A Triumphant Danny Seemiller

Nisse Sandberg

Im sorry to report a not very pleasant thing. The Saturday

night after I got back from the Worlds, I had a bad car
accident. It had been raining for two hours and there was ice on the road. Going about 65 miles an
hour I crashed front into another car. My own car was thrown 30 meters into the forest with many
bumps and turnarounds on the way. It ended up upside down and was completely destroyed.
I broke some ribs, hurt my neck badly, my head, nose, and backbut Im alive and home
now. It must have been 1,000 to 1 Id survive such an accident.
Photo by Mal Anderson

117

Chapter Eight
1985: Repercussions from the 1985 Worldsthe Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
In Gothenburg (Goteborg), Dick Miles and Sue Butler handled their ABC Wide World of
Sports assignments well, and the Chinese, Swedes, and, thanks primarily to Sue, Americans Danny,
Eric, and I were all interviewed. The voice-over will be done in early June and the show, which will
feature the finals of the Teams, not the Singles, may be aired in two parts before the U.S. Open.
Maybe theyll show at least one of our U.S. umpires (Andy Gad, Bob Partridge, or Wendell Dillon)
all nattily dressed in his new uniform.

USTTA President Tim Boggan (L) and Executive Vice

President Gus Kennedy flank Chinas TTA President
Xu Yinsheng holding commemorative plaque given him

Chinas Xu trying out his new peace pipe while Tim

encourages him to puff away

Thanks also to Sue, and especially to Li

Henan (wholl receive $250 for her liaison work with the Chinese), Xu Yinsheng, Vice Minister of
China Sports and the President of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, hosted a sumptuous dinner
for a USTTA group of Gus, Sue, Henan, and my wife Sally and me. Gus presented Xu with an
engraved plaque commemorating the Friendship Dinner, and I gave him an Indian peace pipe.
Back home, regarding the write-ups of the Worlds that appeared in SPIN, Peoria, ILs
Dennis Steele had this to say (July-Aug., 1985, 4):
Congratulations on the truly excellent May-June issue of SPIN. Your/SPIN coverage of the
worlds was a delight to read.
Mal Anderson, Robert Compton, and Terry Canup are to be congratulated too for their fine
photographic efforts. Comptons work with his 250 mm, f/2 lens job (what a nice toy!) was quite
good.
And on that same page Swedens Stefan Dios shows hes pleased with the magazine too:
I hope to hear from you soon and that I will be able to take part in American table tennis. I
am also looking forward very much to the SPIN. What I have seen of it, it appears to be the best
magazine on the game in existence.
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I, Tim, however, had an insiders negative reactionI didnt think my friend Editor Wintrich
had done his best with the May-June issue, and I personally was far from delighted with it. Heres
the May 31st letter I wrote to him, copies to the E.C.:
Tom,
I spoke briefly, just casually today with someone about the possibility or replacing you as
Editor of SPIN. I dont want to do that, though, because on the whole I think youre doing a good
job. However, Im telling you this up front, publicly, because Im god-damned angry about your
Fuck you proofing attitude with regard to my Mens World Team report in the May-June issue.
Your articles might be satisfactorily proofed, but my Mens Team article, despite my 20hour meticulously careful copy, is a mess. Youve got to take responsibility for what happens
between the copy I give you and the aberration that ends up in the paper. Im particularly unhappy
about the repeatedly transposed paragraphs on pages 17 and 18 that make it impossible for the
reader to straightforwardly follow the article to a climactic conclusion.
After 14 years as an editor, I know when an articles proofed and when it isnt. As anyone
can see from the pages in question (Ive appended copies of them here), you were totally
irresponsible.
Ive no quarrel with your writing or your editingyou did very well to catch that bad
mistake I made in my USA-South Korea tie. But your disregard for my
presentation pisses me off the more when I think how in the last year Ive
tried to help you as much as was humanly possible. Goddammit, I too want
my satisfactions. For 20 hours of work I want payment; I want to charge
youwith a duty. I want, like the lowliest broom-sweeper, the payment of
seeing work accomplished, my writing to look right, to be read as I want it
to be read.
Things that are important to me I cant just pass off, forget about.
You must know by now that I cant, wont, function that way. And yet what
Tom Wintrich
recourse have I to show my displeasure except publicly to protest to those
who hire you? I cant just refuse to write an important article for an editor
who wont proofread me. I enjoy writing articles, the paper needs them, needs a variety of
viewpoints, and I certainly want to keep my monthly column going.
So, Im asking you, nicely warning you, not to be lazy. Otherwise, get up and get you a beer
I will, but help you keep your editorship if I have someone else competent to replace you I wont.
This brought the following June 1st reply from Mel Eisner (my interlinear comments in
brackets):
Re TomYou have a legitimate complaint about a one-time editing series of errors. [It was
NOT a one-time occurrence.] But there is something wrong with what I will call your Bull-in-theChina Shop method. [I also spoke to Tom.] To bring in your heavy artillery so quickly wont
workit just does not encourage future good performance. (Or so I think. [Others might think
differently?]) Specifically I object to your phrases, I spoke briefly, just casuallyaboutreplacing
you, and So Im askingnicely warning you.
I cannot see the value of threatening a mans job because of this kind of dissatisfaction. But,
if you really mean it, then do it. [If it happens again, I intend to do just what I said Id do.] If I were
on the receiving end of these words Id tell you to shove it. [Then you wouldnt be the editor of the
magazine, and apparently wouldnt care enough to have been fired, and fired by a friend.] Lets talk
119

about and point out errors, but stop shooting cannonsplease. [Tom egregiously did not do his job.
Question is, Why not?]
E.C. insiders also got an April 19th Update from me as follows:
There was an unusual incident toward the end of the Worlds. One of our players, Brian
Masters, was sent two packages in the mail, one from Houston, one from somewhere else. For
some reason Swedish Customs Inspectors opened these and found inside each a small amount of
marijuana. Brian, on being questioned, denied expecting any packages, denied knowing the U.S.
senders (neither of whom I had ever heard of), and the matter was dropped.
Only to be picked up a few days later by at least one Swedish scandal sheet. Interestingly
enough, from the Wednesday morning an investigator first interviewed Brian (and asked him not to
say anything about the matter) to the Sunday morning Sue Butler told a surprised Dennis, Houshang,
and me the story, no one had said a single word to any of us. Moreover, after Dennis, Sue, a
Swedish interpreter, and I had gone to the local Police Station to find out how much of what was
written in the scandal sheet was true, again, neither in the tournament Press Room, nor in the Playing
Hall, nor at the Hotel did one single person come up to me and inquire about this story. So it was
quite clear to me, if not to, say, Sue, who seemed (I suppose naturally enough) to enjoy talking
about it, that it received very, very little attention.
Gone this incident was, but not forgottenat least in Sweden. Later, on Sept. 8, Nisse
Sandberg would write me the following note:
The drug problem which came up at the Worlds in Sweden with the parcel sent to a U.S.
Team member, and which got into the Swedish newspapers, has resulted in some small problem. I
must assure officials here that U.S. players coming to Sweden are not involved with drugs of any
kind. This means that I cannot this season accept players who anyone here knows, or think they
know, have been using drugs. For the moment anyway, only small kids, Kasia, and Sean (maybe
Chartchai) are coming and there are no problems with them.
In that April Update, I took the opportunity to vent my irritation at the hostile grumblings of
one or two of our supporters who were anti some of our U.S. Team members. [But dissension, Tim,
is the American way. Self vs. Societyits been going on for centuries and probably always will.
Just dont be stupid, Prez, dont be pettybe civil, decent, fair to everyone.]
Two weeks later, U.S.
Team members Eric, Danny
Seemiller, Team Captain/Coach
Houshang, Team Manager
Dennis Masters, and others
received notice from
Disciplinary Chair Wendell
Dillon that William Steinle
recommended disciplinary
action should be taken against
Danny and Eric for
unsportsmanlike conduct at the
Gothenburg Worlds. He
specifically wants to know if the
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allegations in Steinles paragraphs 2. 4, and 6 are correct or not, and, if they are, hed like to hear
Danny and Erics side of the matter. Heres Bills letter to Wendell in its entirety:
Dear Mr. Dillon:
This letter is to inform the Disciplinary Chairman of the conduct of
two U.S. Team members during the 1985 World Championships in Sweden.
(2) Eric Boggan would stand out in the middle of the court and holler
very loud (at least loud enough to be heard in the stands), Fuck this! and
other comments of a similar nature. Eric would also give up during matches
and just hit the ball off the table or into the net. He did this against Grubba
from Poland, Wang Huiyuan from China, Kriston of Hungary, Cho Yong Ho
of North Korea, and Costantini of Italy.
Danny Seemiller would use the same type of vulgar language. He
Bill Steinle
would not stand out in the center of the courts and scream but he was still
loud enough to be heard in the stands. Danny would also give up on matches. He did it against
Kucharski of Poland, Chu Vong Chol of North Korea, and Zsolt Harczi of Hungary.
(4) They both came out to a mens doubles match with improper dress, then cursed out the
Nigerian pair for being bad sports. Everyone had been informed that team members had to have the
same uniform. Even when the U.S. players did play, they were still not wearing the same color shirts.
I did not see it, but I was informed that Danny also put on quite a display when he lost in the
singles to Kim Ki Taek of South Korea. You might ask Rufford Harrison about this. I heard he was
present.
(6) It seems to me players should be disciplined for conduct of this nature. They both acted
the same way at the last World Championships. It was reported to the E.C. in the Managers
Report [Steinles] but nothing was done about it.
If you find out after your investigation into these charges that they are all true and factual,
disciplinary action should be taken against these players.
If these player problems are not reported in the Team Coach and Team Managers required
reports, disciplinary action should be taken against the Team Coach and Manager.
As you would expect, Team Coach Houshang Bozorgzadeh, Team Manager Dennis
Masters, and Tim Boggan speaking for Eric had their own story to tell. (I assume, since I have no
copy of a response, Danny was content to let these others speak for him.)
Ill let Houshang startnot just with one, but two letters he wrote Dillon on May 3rd. Heres
the first:
Dear Mr. Dillon:
This is to respond to your letter and concern regarding the Steinle allegations. I have also
included a copy of my report on the World Championships, copies of which have earlier gone to
President Tim Boggan and to the Executive Committee.
Mr. William Steinle is known to me as a negative and hostile man, at least where the U.S.
Mens team is concerned, and this experience spans the last two World Championships. His recent
letter to you is very damaging to our team and to Eric Boggan and Danny Seemiller in particular.
I think his letter contains a lot of falsehoods and I say this after spending no fewer than 28
days with these young men as their captain and coach, witnessing their hard work and dedication,
and their behavior as well, in the tournament hall, hotel, and elsewhere.
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#2: Erics
behavior and
language. There
were three officials
at his table who
understood
English. I heard no
offensive language
and, if I had, I
would certainly
have told him to
stop it. If the
officials had
warned him and he
persisted they
would have taken
him out and
awarded his
U.S. Captain/Coach Houshang Bozorgzadeh (far left) at one of his 14 Worlds - with
opponent a forfeit
the U.S. Mens and Womens Teams at the 1977 Birmingham, England World
win. Admittedly,
Championships. L-R, back (Mens Team): Houshang, Dean Galardi, Ray Guillen,
Erics performance
Ricky Seemiller, Paul Raphel, Danny Seemiller; front (Womens Team): Insook
Bhushan, Alice Green, Captain Heather Angelinetta, Judy Bochenski, and Angelita Rosal
was not up to his
Photo courtesy of Paul Lewis
Tokyo standards.
Grubba of course is one of the best players in the world, and, in fact won the Joola Trophy as
the best player in team competition. Erics scores against Kriston and Cho Yong Ho were
certainly respectable. His problems in the Costantini match were mentioned in my report.
#3: Dannys language. I, at no time, heard Danny Seemiller use untoward language or
demean himself in an unsportsmanlike way. He is enthusiastic. He gives 100 percent every
game.
#4: Improper dress: Yes, the U.S. players had changed shirts because they were
sweaty. On starting this mens doubles match, the Nigerians complained to the referee about
the non-matching shirts. I then ran and got two matching shirts for them to put on, but the
referee said they did not need to make the change. They then went ahead with the match. I saw
the incident as a bit of unfriendliness on the part of the Nigerian team, for this rule was
obviously waived several times during the doubles play. Notwithstanding the fact that the
referee overruled the Nigerians, I explained to our players that the rule calls for matching uniforms,
and that we would abide by it. I did not hear either Eric or Danny curse their opponents.
#5: Dannys display. This is what happened. In Dannys last match, he lost to Kim Ki
Taek, 23-21 in the third. When it finished, Danny shook hands with Kim and the officials, then
threw his paddle into his bag and sat down with his head in his hands, his eyes filled with tears.
Thats all.
In my opinion, Eric, Danny, and the entire team should receive commendations, not
disciplinary measures.
Heres Bozorgzadehs second letter, which is meant to counter (Steinles #6) threat to
suspend Houshang:
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Dear Mr. Dillon:

I write you now of Mr. William Steinles conduct during the 1985 World Championships.
This Gothenburg Worlds is the fourteenth I have participated in, either as a player or as a
captain and coach. Over that span of years, I have yet to see a person with such a negative attitude
and dislike for his countrys players as William Steinle. Thus, his letter to you does not surprise me.
Two years ago, in Japan, although he worked very hard, his demeanor with our players was
very poor. On talking to me or the players, he would invariably turn away, avoiding eye contact.
When Eric Boggan played against Kriston of Hungary in the Singles, Steinle sat in the box behind
me, talking loudly and obviously distracting Eric, who looked over several times. I asked Steinle to
be quiet and watch, else leave, for neither Eric nor I could concentrate on the match. He got up and
left.
This year in Gothenburg, from the time we arrived at the Opalen Hotel, he denigrated our
team constantly, in front of both American friends and foreigners.
On the morning we played China, he was sitting with his video camera next to Jimmy
McClure. I suggested to Steinle that he save some of his tape for our matches against other teams
and winning situations. His reply was to the effect that if he had a million feet of tape he would not
waste one inch of it filming the American team.
During Brian Masters
Singles contest with Chartchai
Teekaveerakit of Thailand, Steinle
continuously cheered for the Thai.
When Brian lost the match, Steinle
jumped up and down, cheering
loudly.
Following our win over
Hong Kong, Steinle told Dennis
Masters, our Team Manager, that
Hong Kong had dumped the match. It
was obvious to all that the match was
extremely important to Hong Kong.
Due to his false allegations and prevailing
negativism, I strongly suggest that any disciplinary action be
against William Steinle in lieu of our players.
Now heres Team Manager Dennis Masters June 1st response:

Dennis Masters

Dear Wendell:
In reply to your letter of Apr. 28th, 1985 concerning William
Steinles charges of unsportsmanlike conduct by Eric Boggan and Danny
Seemiller during the World Championships, I would like to make the
following statements.
Concerning Steinles paragraph #2, this was not one of Erics better
tournaments. From the time Eric arrived in Stockholm he was not feeling
well. Houshang took him to a doctor who found that Eric had a bladder
infection which he was given medicine for. As far as giving up in several
matches, I agree that it certainly looked as if he was not trying to play his
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best all the time. I think its impossible for me or Mr. Steinle to know what was going on in Erics head or
feel the pressure that Eric was under. How can any player who is not playing his or her best and feels
inside that its impossible to win (for whatever reason) be disciplined for not trying hard enough?
On the subject of cursing, this is something I personally do not approve of even though my
son, Brian, has been known to have problems with this, and I have to agree with Mr. Steinle that it
occurred on several occasions and I was not happy about it. But in defense of both Eric and Danny,
I did not consider it very serious because:
It was not so loud or obvious as Mr. Steinle stated.
Neither player was ever warned or reprimanded by officials.
Many other teams that I watched, such as Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary (Jonas Takacs
particularly), Switzerland (their womens team), and Romania (their womens team) cursed more
frequently and much louder than our players did. This does not excuse it, but in this type of
atmosphere where it is being done by many and the officials are not controlling it, I dont think our
players should be disciplined. Also, I dont believe that the time to start disciplining our players for
something that goes on at almost every tournament in the U.S. is at the World Championships. I
dont think that cursing should be permitted, but if a penalty for it is to be enforced, we should do it
first in all our tournaments at home.
Regarding Steinles paragraph #3, Danny did seem to give up against Chu of North Korea
and Kriston of Hungary. But both times he did it, he was very far behind and it was close to the end
of the game and it would have been almost impossible for Danny to catch up against this level of
competition. As far as Dannys cursing was concerned, I can only recall one incident and it was at
such a low level that I only just heard it while I was on the bench (almost as close as you can get).
My personal feeling is that Danny is a credit to our team and I find it unbelievable that anyone would
seek disciplinary action against him.
Paragraph # 4: Eric was in the blue uniform that the team had been wearing the entire time.
Danny was in a different color (red) but I feel this was a lack of communication and certainly
unintentional on Dannys part. The officials were going to let them play and the Nigerian doubles
pair did not seem to object. It was the Nigerian coach who made such a fuss, which I thought was
unsportsmanlike. Houshang and Scott Preiss were able to get matching uniforms, which took care
of the problem. Only, ironically, the Nigerians turned out not to be in the same uniform since they
were wearing different colored shorts.The Americans did not complain about the Nigerians
uniforms (which they had every right to do after what the Nigerian coach did) and went ahead and
played the match.
Thats as much as I was privy to regarding Steinles accusations.
However, I would like to make a few comments myself on Mr. Steinles behavior at the
World Championships. From the time he arrived in Gothenburg, Mr. Steinle had a negative attitude.
He didnt like the way the team practiced or the clothes they practiced in. He was certain that the
U.S. mens team could not win a tie, and then when they beat Hong Kong, he said he didnt know
why Hong Kong would dump to the U.S. but he was sure they did. He actually seemed unhappy
about the mens teams successes. He seemed only interested in Sean and let it be known that he
felt Sean should have played much more. I overheard him say a number of negative comments
about Houshang, Eric, Danny, and Brian.
Since Mr. Steinle was a member of the U.S. delegation and quite a bit of effort was spent
on making arrangements for him, I think he should have been there to support the team (like the rest
of our large group), and not to try to undermine their spirit with his negativism. At the very least, he
should have kept his feelings to himself and suffered in silence.
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In the future, I think if Mr. Steinle wants to attend the World Championships, he should
make his own travel, hotel and ticket arrangements and go as part of the Thailand delegation.
Regardless of what others might think, my feeling is that this was a successful World
Championships for the U.S. We accomplished what we set out to do. I know the players and
coaches were very happy to have a large friendly crowd supporting them.
The rest of my Team Managers report will be presented elsewhere. For now I want to
thank Gus Kennedy, Tim Boggan, Houshang and Henan for all their help.
O.K.. its time now for me to present my own May 7th somewhat lengthy take on Steinle
and his accusations which I sent not only to Wendell and his Disciplinary Committee but to other
interested parties as well. Its entitled BAD TASTE:
I feel I personally have to respond to Bill Steinles request for Disciplinary Action against
Eric Boggan and Danny Seemiller, U.S. players whose unquestioned heart
and hard-working attitudes have enabled themjust the two of them, one
after the otherto dominate our sport from the early 70s on.
Bills chargewhich to me shows not just objective values often
shared by others but (Judge not lest ye be judged) Bills own very
subjective human frailties and prejudicesis really an attack on Houshang
Bozorgzadeh, the Team Captain; Dennis Masters, the Team Manager; and
me, Tim Boggan, Erics and now the USTTAs much too permissive father,
for allowing, even encouraging, the Teams much-too-free-for-Bill life-style.
Tim Boggan
Indeed, the charge against Eric and Danny might also have been
brought against Brian Masters, whom Bill, as a member of the Selection Committee, did not
originally want on the Team and whom he rooted against in Gothenburg, might have been brought
against anyone who didnt share Bills IMAGE of what a U.S. Team must be like and how its
players must conduct themselves.
In my view, Bills charge has far less to do with unsportsmanlike conduct than with lapses in
good taste. The first of two questions that Bill raises for me is, What should be done when a player
occasionally shows bad taste? The answer that comes to mind is Suffer it even as you hope to
stop it. Which answer is precisely what comes to my mind when I think of the second question Bill
raises for me, What should be done when a USTTA member, part of our Official U.S. Group at the
Gothenburg Worlds, has a very bad mouth? That is, when over and over again offending words
come grim-lipped, tastelessly out of it.
Judge not lest ye be judgedto which, Im sure, Bill, who has the up-front courage of his
convictions, would say, Fair enough. Just as well, because to better understand Bills specific
charge against Eric and Danny I want first to establish a context that will give the interested reader a
better perspective of said charge. This involves my reading of 54-year-old Bill himself, whom I
originally met on the Circuit in Wilson, N.C., Jan. 25-27, 1980, and whom in a tournament hotel bar
I first helped to gain entre to our best U.S. players.
To me, Bills experience in the table tennis world, 1980-85, is relatively limited. Neither he
nor his subjective camera (which delights in focusing on Eric not when hes playing well but when
hes playing badly and is self-tormented) knows as yet how to watch a match. As was apparent
from our talks in Gothenburg, Bill still cant see how the Chinese dump match after match,
deliberately dont try. Lest the point escape him, were he to see this, hed modify his encomiums of
them?
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For what its worth I see Bill as a sensitive but not a worldly person. He too often has
blinders on, which I think work to his disadvantage. In my opinion, he needs a good liberal arts
education. Bill is, in part, like (I dont say he is one, but he is, in part, like) one of those fanaticallyminded McCarthy-like new born Christians whose idea of Democracyin this case Table Tennis
democracyis that everyone pay Puritanical service to strict behavioral norms and niceties but who
really, before their God or any other Gods Grace can come to them, need to practice far more
Brotherly Love. Bill seems incapable of realizing that the players he criticizes are freedom-conscious
human beings with their own soul-strengths who very likely will never conform to any one persons
idea of Perfection, not even their own.
Bill is fast turning into a congenital grumbler. Consequently, whether he knew it or not, he
was a very disruptive force, an energy drain, to me, to anyone who was working as hard as I and
certain other officials were in Gothenburg trying to bring good vibes to the Team.
It was quite clear from the beginning that Bill was there in Sweden (andcareful, Tim,
careful, no cheap shotshis daughter too, who was often as negative and dour-looking as he was)
only to support some members of the Mens Teamthe agreeable Ricky, Sean, the kind of kid
(ONeills residence, Sean speaking) he favors (drives to tournaments, roots for, films), and
Chartchai (who, living for months and months now with the ONeills, is dependent on them and
echoes themI spent a lengthy part of this past New Years Eve listening to everyone in the ONeill
house telling me, as if with one unyielding voice, how Danny, who I see as our most universally
respected player, and E.C. member-elect, was a cheater).
So, keeping this background in mind, I do think that Bill cant help but want Eric and Danny
off the Team and in their place hisBillsteammates, Sean and Chartchai (whom he rooted for
against Brian in the Singles).
Still, no question about it, no matter how subjective Bills opinions are, no matter how
disruptive or trying they are to others in
responsible positions who find them unnecessarily
rigid, hes entitled to them. When, however, Bill
deliberately (and to my mind unjustly) involves
other people in official USTTA action, he goes
beyond stating his beliefs, he tries officially to
enforce them on others, and so, given the
considerable teamwork accomplishments of the
people hes involved, he precipitates an argument,
a fight, a little warof words.
For Bill, the inception of the war started at
least as far back as October, 1981 (see the Topics
article On Playing Doubles) when Bill came at
Danny and Eric for not having a more encouraging
attitude toward their doubles partner. [Bill
specifically criticized Dannys attitude toward
Ricky while they were on their streak,
unprecedented in U.S. History, of winning eight
straight U.S. Mens Doubles Championships.]
Astonishing, is it, how Bill never seems to question
why when he sees imperfections in others, he cant
Eight-time U.S. National Doubles Winners Danny
play the Cmon, were in this together game, do it and Ricky Seemiller, who are getting along just fine
126

your way, were behind you. His point of view is, If you dont play it my way, the Jack Armstrong
way, I dont playand you dont either.
In his 1983 Team Managers Report Bill said that it was a 100% waste to send Eric and a
50% waste to send Houshang to the pre-Worlds training site. Eric, he said, was uncoachable (by
who? Henan?), believed everything he did was correct, hit the ball only when he wanted to and how
he wanted to. When Danny asked him to, Eric would put in a little effort. Since Eric didnt like to do
physical exercises, he just went through the motions. When Eric thought that 6:30 a.m. was too
early for such training, Houshang revised the time to 9 a.m. Houshang, Bill said, was not a coach.
The players did what they wanted to doEric, for example, didnt like Houshangs training
schedule, so Houshang changed it. The last two days of supposed training Eric spent more time
playing basketball than table tenniswith the result that Eric got a finger in the eye. Pretty damn
dumb for Eric to be playing contact basketball before a World Championship, huh? Why have a
coach that the players wont listen to? Why have players that wont listen to a coach?
In this assessment, Bill really says that if I, Bill, were running this Team, things would be
different. Ill say.
And yet, why is he so negative?
What really did he think could be accomplished under those unnatural conditions at
Colorado Springs in such a short time before the Worlds (other than to begin to get the generally
compatible perennial Mens Team together)?
How inexperienced Bill has shown himself to be.
How coachable does Bill think he is? Or a 2600 player? It just may be that any number of
good or bad players arent coachable for whatever reasons. Bill, like lots of people with a little
knowledge picked up vicariously, delights in making definitive statements, is so unbending that he
cant conceive of Eric, or Erics last great predecessor Dick Miles, or anyone else not wanting a
coach? Or not wanting to run at 6:30 in the morning? Or not trying every point? Though anybody
ought to know that every good player is governed by the psychology thats best for him, or the pace
thats privately his own. Actually I myself share this TRY, TRY value of Bills and am very
disappointed even today when, for whatever reason, Eric doesnt try hard (the one thing I
absolutely insisted on in bringing up Scott and Eric was not that they practice but that they try hard
in tournament matches). But I could never presume, either when they were young or when they
turned into men, into U.S. Champions with a background and knowledge of the sport far exceeding
my own, to punish them because I was disappointed that they did not play every point, every
game, every match with psychic uniformity. I never had a mind that thought that way. I always
wanted them to transcend the everyday, rise to the occasion.
Bill talks as if from a Champions experience. But he is not a Champion and certainly
doesnt have the respect of the Champions he knocks. Its really more important to Bill to look
good, to be proper, than to win. Its something a losing athlete can always doits a hedge;
observe the amenities, TRY. But being a Champion often involves something different, something I
dont believe Bill personally, totally knows about, something that has to do with instant adaptability,
deviation from the norm, a Self that triumphs over Society, a flash of intuition, a risk taken that goes
against advice, against reason, that violates all laws of preparation, of harmony. Fuck the Coach,
fuck the people who want me to be graceful, nice, Ill do it my way.
How nave Steinles comments are.
Eric believes everything he does is correct. Isnt that absurd? Eric has always been a
perfectionisthas always been extremely self-critical. And, listening to Bill, youd think Eric wasnt
in good physical shape. And he shouldnt play basketball? And, most absurdly, Bill the Outsiders
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subjective criticism of the longtime Houshang-Eric Captain-Player relationship. Who the hell is
Steinle to criticize any method of training or of not training that produces winners? Houshang in his
own special waycertainly not Bills wayhelped Eric to produce what some consider the
greatest performance of any U.S. player at the Worlds in a quarter of a century!
And what happens? Bill comes back with a report that is almost totally negative. Eric
played welljust three words: that was all Bill could bring himself to say that was in any way
positive.
What a bad mouth Bill has.
When Bill speaks of Erics conduct in his 83 Team Managers Report (or in his later letter
to the Disciplinary Chair), he stresses Erics use of a vulgarism. Perhaps accompanied by a
gesture. Bill is very upset about Erics occasional useaudible useof the word Fuck.And yet
does Bill really think that when Eric, frustrated, bursts out at his father, whom Im sure he loves, or
at Houshang, whom Im sure he respects, that everyone sees Erics honest, emotionally charged use
of that word as negatively as Bill does? That is the dumbest fucking thing I ever heard of Eric says
to his Captain. Does Bill really think such a voiceand how many people does it after all reach?
would offend Houshang, Erics surrogate father, anymore than it would offend me? Cant Bill grasp
another voice, a young persons voice, another life-style? Cant he hear the honesty, even the
affection in the voice? Does Bills behavior norm, his unvarying insistence on the niceties, have to be
everybodys behavior norm?
And, my god, how many vulgarisms are we talking about here? One gets the idea that Bill
rather stalked Eric at the beginning of that 83 Worlds when Eric, upset, lost 5 of his first 6
matches. What about the incredible 17 out of 18 he then won? He sure couldnt have had occasion
to use many obscenities in that streak.
So what, finally, is Bills conclusion in his 83 Team Managers Report? Unbelievable: that if
ever again Eric sayswhat?one, two, three public Fucks in the heat of competition, he should
not be warned by an umpire, should not have a point taken away from him, should lose not a game,
or a match, but should be barred from playing for the U.S. Team. This is not the voice of a
reasonable, responsible man.
With this background on Steinle, I come now to the actual charge made by him against Eric
and Danny. The charge is unsportsmanlike conductwhich to me is just nonsense. (Did Bill care
to tell us about the point an umpire improperly gave to Eric in his five-game match with the young
Czech Grman, which Eric promptly returned by serving into the net?) Does he really think Eric or
Danny abused or unfairly took advantage of an opponent?
Wendell Dillon, the Disciplinary Chair, has asked Eric and Danny to respond to paragraphs
6, 4, and 2 of Bills letter. Im not their hired lawyer, but I respond for them.
Paragraph 6 really has no bearing on any 1985 chargefor no one, not Steinle now or two
years ago, not anyone has ever seen fit to give Eric (and I would guess Danny) a copy of the Team
Managers (Steinles) Report. So of course theyll have to guess what Bill means. The vague phrase
Eric acted the same way this Worlds as lastwhat does that mean? Acted? So it has nothing to
do with (see Paragraph 4) dress. Maybe it has something to do with not trying in matches? But,
my god, that cant be right. Erics record at the 83 Worlds was sensationalat least to everyone
but Steinle. So whats left? In 1983, Eric, like how many other players from how many other
countries, used an occasional obscenity? Could be. But doubtless it wasnt worth remembering. I
should think to any fair-minded person Paragraph 6 must be quite incomprehensible to Eric and
Danny.
Paragraph 4, according to my understanding of what actually happened, cannot be correct.
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True, Eric and Danny were not wearing identical uniforms when they went out to play the Nigerians
in the Mens Doubles (Danny said he didnt realize the uniforms had to be alike). And when the
umpire challenged him he asked her, Hey, look, is a change absolutely necessary? Its a quarter to
10 at night. Do I really have to go back to the hotel and get different shorts? The umpire is
sympathetic. Wait a minute, she says, Ill ask the Referee. Soon she comes back and says, Its
O.K. Play. But now the Nigerian Coach protests. He wants a default. This, to my mind, is poor
sportsmanshipand understandably Eric and Danny had a few words with these Africans.
But O.K., O.K., USA Trainer/Masseur Scott
Preiss runs back to the hotel and gets the requisite
complementary shorts, and then, as Danny puts them
Scott
on, someone points out that though the Nigerians
Preiss
shorts look similar they are in fact of different colors.
So, when the U.S. players in turn threaten with a
straight face to default the Nigerians, the Nigerian
Coach quickly withdraws his protest.Cmon,
cmon, quit the bullshit and play said our players. So,
in the end, it was the Nigerians who were technically
not dressed properly, not the Americans. But is any of
this really anything to concern the Disciplinary Chair
about? And what the hell is Steinle doing?
This leaves only Paragraph 2 of concern to anyone.
Two parts to the charge: (1) Eric and Danny didnt always try. (2) Eric and Danny
utteredhow many?audible obscenities.
Ive indicated in my SPIN article on the Mens Team, which (see enclosure) I wrote before
seeing Steinles letter to Wendell, where Eric or Danny did try or didnt try, and the matches they
won and didnt win. Though I was sympathetic to Eric, I think the article is the most accurate
account of what actually happened in these matches. Let me say that as usual Bills subjective
camera picks out only those matches Eric lost. About Erics win over Kucharski, after Eric had
given up the first 21-5, Bill says nothing. In his mind, the win shouldnt count.
Look, I agree it hurts that Eric, for whatever reason, gives up on occasion. But who is
Steinle to tell Eric or Danny how they should play to win? Theyve spent their whole lives winning:
this they, not Steinle, know about. If they cant win, it has to bother them, and maybe they need
psychological help, maybe not. Anyway, who the hell needs Steinle? Who is he anyway? Other than
someone who from the beginning rooted against Eric, who would like to see him lose, who would
like to bar him from playing with the U.S.
Better Steinle himself improved his conduct. Better he tried on occasion to give support to
Eric and Danny. Sitting so near to the team, but often looking disinterestedly or sourly away at other
matches, showing his obvious displeasure that Eric or Danny was playing, he deservedly incurred
Houshangs anger.
Surely it must be harder for most reasonable people to sympathize with 54-year-old
Steinles inflexibility than 21-year-old Erics motivational problem. After all, its Eric, not Bill, who
has the pressure on him. Eric must play world-class table tennis 10 months out of the year to earn
his livelihooda very, very short part of this time he plays for his country. Its Eric, not Bill, who has
table tennis priorities, who has to produce. I think its fair to say that in tie after tie at the Worlds
unless Eric won three matches the U.S. very likely could not win. That means Eric had always not
only to play very well, but, despite his forced day-in, day-out Bundesliga schedule, he had to be
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psychologically upor, since few if any of us can will ourselves to be psychologically up for every
match, he had both to try and not try, so as to create rhythms for himself that would allow him, if
possible, to rise to an occasion. Against Italy, the tie we had to have, Eric did the best he could at
that given time. He won just enoughDanny was left to finish off the Italian 3rd.
The last part of the charge has to do with Eric and Dannys use of an occasional audible
obscenity. Since I myself heard Eric say one vulgarism that would have been audible in the stands
and one that wouldnt have been (I saw all the U.S. Mens ties but one), I strongly question the
rhetoric Steinle uses: Eric Boggan would stand out in the middle of the court and holler very loud
(at least loud enough to be heard in the stands). Fuck this! and other comments of a similar nature.
How often did Eric holler an obscenity? Once? Twice? A hundred times he was vulgar? This is
some accusation. Was he ever warned by an umpire? Was a point ever taken away from him? Or
didnt the umpires care? Maybe they didnt hear him? Understand the vulgarity? Werent offended?
Perhaps Steinle, more than most, is more aware of the world that I thought. Perhaps all
over the globe obscenities have crawled, continue to crawl, at him, and he just cant stand to see
them in his recreational world, his escape world of table tennis. Its not sporting. Its not fair. Its
notnot wholesome.
But for others like Eric and Danny the world of table tennis is no pit-pat play world. Theyre
well aware that evil slithers here. Day after day, week after week, month after month, year after
year, they work at the sport, endure the pressures that winners face, the uncertain future. Its not a
fuckin easy way to make a living.
How about some show of understanding, Brother Bill?
The Disciplinary Committee, in the person of its Chair Wendell
Dillon, sent concluding July 31st letters to Houshang, Eric, Danny, and
Bill. Here is the gist of what he said to each.
To Houshang:
While agreeing that his [Bill Steinles] actions were disruptive,
we do not believe that they were sufficient to warrant disciplinary action.
Thank you for submitting the request for disciplinary action. I
think it was undertaken in retaliation for his [Bills] complaint against Eric
and Dan. Our investigation forced him to look at his own actions.
Whether that will help or not I dont know.
To Eric:
After reviewing the evidence, the committee determined that
there was no basis for disciplinary action.
Wendell Dillon
That you quit in matches is well documented, including in Tims
article. Quitting is contrary to the spirit expected of players representing our country in international
competition. We determined that this should be resolved by you and our team captain and coach
rather than by disciplinary action.
We had no evidence other than Steinles allegation on your audible vulgarities. Your use of
the alleged word is well known. Use of that one word can turn off more parents from allowing their
children to play the sport than most anything else.
You are clearly the finest American table tennis player in many years. You are setting an
example every time you play a match. Although we determined disciplinary action was not
130

warranted, I hope that you will consider the charges seriously and improve the example you set for
young players.
To Dan:
Our report is based on the evidence and the committee members personal observations
of you over the years. None of us has ever seen you give up in a match or heard of you giving up.
No evidence was presented other than the complaint [by Bill Steinle], which we determined was an
uninformed opinion. No evidence was presented on your use of audible vulgarities.
It is the decision of the committee that there is no basis for disciplinary action.
The sportsmanship and fighting spirit you have displayed over the years are well recognized
and are a credit to the sport.
To Bill:
The committee determined that there was no basis for disciplinary action against you.
It was obvious that the recommendation for disciplinary action against you [by Houshang]
was in retaliation for your report on Eric and Dan.
There is obviously animosity between you and the team management and some players. I
consider your comments to me in Sweden official complaints because of my position [as USTTA
Disciplinary Committee Chair].
If you made similar comments to others in private, that is certainly your privilege. If you
made them in public, particularly in the presence of players or observers from other countries, it is
not proper conduct for a member of our official party.
By booking your tickets through Gus Kennedy, staying at the Opalen Hotel, eating at the
tournament mess hall, and using the ACC pass for access to the tournament floor, you were a
member of the USTTA official party.
The $400 donation to the USTTA is certainly welcome and does entitle you to be yourself.
If you feel as strongly about this team management and some players as you apparently do, you
might consider attending as an individual in the future and deprive the USTTA of your donation.
This ends the coverage of the 1985 World Championships.

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Chapter Nine
1985: First Europe Top 12 Junior Tournament. 1985: U.S. Team in Cuba. 1985: USA
Juniors in Europe. 1985: Two European Grand Prix Tournaments. 1985: Sue Butler
Interviews Surbek. 1985: Liguo and Henan Li Ais Do I Need a Coach?
Ill begin this chapter with the results of the First Europe Top 12 Junior
Tournament, played Jan. 5-6 in cold and snowy San Marino. A number of the
players eligible for this tournament stayed away (for example, no Swedes
came), but probably two thirds of this closely- bunched junior field would go
on to make their mark as world-class title-winning senior players.

Results: 1.
Englands Carl
Prean (11-0). 2.
Belgiums JeanMichel Saive (7-4).
3. Romanias Vasile
Florea (7-4). 4.
Czechoslovakias
Milan Grman (6-5).
5. Romanias Calin
Toma (6-5). 6.
Frances Didier
Mommessin (6-5).
7. Frances Regis

Jean-Michel Saive

Carl Prean

From Tennistavolo, Gennaro, 88

From English TT News, Oct., 84;

photo by Stefan Alfelt

Rossigol (6-5). 8. Englands Matthew

Syed (4-7). 9. Italys Lorenzo Nannoni (4-7). 10. Frances Jean-Philippe
Gatien (4-7). 11. Yugoslavias Zoran Primorac (3-8). 12. Czechoslovakias
Josef Braun (3-8).
USA in Cuba
The USTTA decided to send a U.S. Team (three men, two women), for the
fourth consecutive year, to Cuba for their Apr. 22-23 International Tournament.
Matthew Syed
But as I explained to the E.C. in my April, 1985 Update, I wasnt happy that
Selection Committee Chair Bill Walk, because of time pressure, had handed
over much of the please-contact-the-selected-player work to Headquarters. This presented a
problem. Though Emily dutifully tried to follow the Selection Committees established order of
players, she was NOT, despite repeated phone calls, always able to make contact with a player and
so went on to the next in line. This procedure later made for complications because, on receiving not
a I-cant-get-you telegram but a letter to that effect in the mail, a couple of players rightfully protested that
the USTTA had not been fair with them, should have made a stronger effort to get in touch with them.
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On my return
from the Gothenburg
Worlds, having heard
these players protest
via Dennis Masters, I
immediately tried to
rectify whatever
injustice I could.
Thanks to Denniss
Perry Schwartzberg
work as liaison, Khoa
Nguyen, whod
protested vigorously that hed been passed by,
was a last-minute replacement for Perry
Khoa Nguyen
Schwartzberg who now willingly became the
Non-Playing Coach at a salary of $200.
The problems of Julie Au (she couldnt go after all because she didnt have a re-entry visa),
Cheryl Dadian (her passport was lost in transit), and Khoa (who for some reason wasnt getting his
ticket to Miami that was supposedly last-minute being sent by United) made finalizing this trip a bad
dream for Gus Kennedy and a nightmare for Dennis Masters who was burdened with trips to
embassies and airports.
And, after all this, do you think any account of this trip, or even just the results from it, were
printed in SPIN? Nopethough Perry Schwartzberg (or his ghost Sheila ODougherty) was said
to have written something; and Bill Steinle noted that, although the players had been informed they
must pay their own fares to Miami, the trip was over budget to the extent of six such fares.
USA in Scandinavia
Sue Butler, team leader, cheer
leader, and friend to eight USA Juniors,
reports (SPIN, July-Aug., 1985, 20-22) on
the enjoyable spring tournaments in
Scandinavia they participated in:
Representing the USA were Junior
Girls Lan Vuong, Diana Gee, Vicky Wong,
and Jasmine Wang, and Junior Boys Gene
Lonnon, Jim Butler, Scott Butler, and Sean
ONeill. Because of school commitments,
Scott and Sean couldnt join the group until
May 2 for the tourney in Bergen, Norway.
The rest of us arrived in Stockholm Apr. 25.
SSS Cup Grand Prix
(Stockholm, Apr. 27-28)
The SSS Cup is the last big tournament of the season for juniors and adults where Grand
Prix points can be won for respective clubs. Maud Waller [who Sue said would receive a nice gift
for her 10th anniversary working for Nisse Sandbergs Angby Club] explained that the Swedish girls
133

would not be as strong

as ours, but that the
boys at this
competition were
exceptional.
Our players
couldnt get over the
number of junior
entries competing in
five separate age
brackets. In the Junior
Open, there were 76
boys and 32 girls. In
Class A (born in 69 or
after), 166 boys and
32 girls. In Class B
(born in 71 or after),
166 boys and 17 girls. In Class C (born in 73 or after), 87 boys and 34 girls. In Class D (born in
75 or after), 44 boys and 16 girls.
Boys could only play two singles events and one doubles event per day due to the large
turnout. Angby had provided free entries for our kids, and had entered them in the appropriate
events before the deadline, which was two months prior to the event itself. All Swedish tournaments
have strict entry deadlines and the draws are made weeks in advance.
Saturday play included all the Girls events and the Womens (as well as the Junior Boys).
In the Junior Girls Open, Lan Vuong was seeded first, while Jasmine Wang was seeded second.
(Originally, the second seed had been Lisa Gee, but she had been unable to make the trip. Instead
of Lisas opponent advancing, late-entry Jasmine was allowed to fill the empty slot in the draw.) We
were very grateful to the Angby people for allowing this substitution. Third seed was Diana Gee,
while the fourth was Vicky Wong. [Since, as Sue had explained in an April 28th letter to me from
Stockholm, seeds #1 and #3 would play in the semis, this had not won Dianas approval, even less
her father Yims (whom I as President might be stridently hearing from?). In personally asserting
herself to the drawmakers (uselessly of course), Diana embarrassed Sue and gave her something of
a hassle. But on a rare competitive trip like this how not have a fired-up, concerned player, and a
glitch or two?]
Vicky ran into early trouble with Angbys rapidly-mproving Maria Hedlund who beat her 19
in the third. Meanwhile, Jasmine was busy knocking out her opponentslooking most impressive in
her quarters win over Swedens #3 junior, Marie Loverfelt. After winning the first game at 15,
Jasmine seemed to forget her game plan. But down 19-16 in the second, she began playing very
aggressively and won five straight points and the match.
Against Hedlund in the semis, Wang survived the first at deuce, then advanced easily.
On the other side of the draw, through the quarters, no one scored more than 13 points
against Gee. But in the semis against Lan, Diana was beaten two straight.
Jasmine was up for her final. The first game was rather close all the way, with Vuong, the
favorite, playing inconsistently, while Wang was steady. Although behind 15-12, Jasmine, blocking
well and showing excellent shot selection, caught Lan at 19-all. But then at deuce, Lan executed her
finest shot of the gamea beautiful loop drive into Jasmines backhand that turned the match her way.
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In the second, down 12-6, Lan couldnt reverse the momentum. One each. In the third,
Vuong, more cautious about her play, was up 11-4. Only to see Jasmine run off five straight. Lan
went for her towelas if to say, Enough! Then proceeded to widen the gap and finish a 21-17
winner.
In the Girls As, Lan and Vicky, seeded #1 and #2, met in the final and finished according to
their seeding.

Lan Vuong

The Womens event was similar to the Junior Girls

Open in that in the one semis Lan and Diana went at
it again. However, from the start, Diana was
determined not to make this match a repeat of the Junior Girls Open. In their first game, every ball
Lan hit came back in standoff fashionuntil finally Diana prevailed 27-25. This win surely made the
second one easier21-17 to Diana. In the other semis, Angby juniors fought it out with Marie
Waller defeating Kristine Lowdahl. The final saw Waller, by smashing in many crosscourt kills, able
to take the first game. But thereafter, blocking well, Gee remained in control.
Diana Gee

Since the U.S. Boys Team also had a late entry in Gene Lonnon we had to accept, and
graciously, the draw available to us. Thus in the Junior Boys Open, Gene was placed in the same
half of the draw as Jim Butler. Unfortunately for Gene, neither his first or second round
opponent showed, so he had to play and lose his only round in the event to fellow team
member Butler.
In the quarters, Jimmy met Lars Mattsson, a 62 200-pound 18-year-old whos a veteran
of several U.S. Opens. This top Angby player was just too strong for young Butler. I cant believe
my great birthday eligibility, said Lars. This year in Sweden a junior had to be born on or after Jan.
1, 1967. I was born Jan. 2, 1967.
In Sundays action, Gene Lonnon was in the Mens Singles and in his first round he beat a
hard-bat chopper. He then had to play another chopper, which was unusual because there are just a
few of them in Sweden. Choppers are rare, say the Swedes, because they dont win. This one, who
used anti, did win against Lonnon though. Gene complained later, I just dont play many choppers
with anti.
Jimmy, in the Boys B event, plowed through the field to take the title. After his straight-game
win in the final, Maud Waller said hed been seeded not #1 but #2 because We hadnt seen Jimmy
play in awhile.
Moving on to the Boys A event, Butler found the going much tougher. Jimmy, 3rd seed, met
Marcus Gustavsson, 5th seed, in the quarters. On the way to his own table, Lars Mattsson had said
to Jim, Look outthis guys good. Jimmy likes a challenge, and Gustavsson was certainly that. He
could loop off both wings, smash, and lob.
135

The match was a crowd pleaser from the start. Each boy was determined to win the rallies
and some incredible points were played. Neither player could get more than a two-point lead until
Jim made some careless errors and was down 20-17. He then got to 19 but that wasnt enough. In
the second, though, Jimmy rebounded. And the third he won decisively.
Jims
semifinal opponent
was his old nemesis
and past Iowa City
houseguest of ours,
Daniel Frejhammer.
Every time these two
have played its been
a real dog fight. The
first game was no
exception. At 15-all,
Jim Butler
Daniel, serving,
scored on a succession of third-ball attacks to take a 19-16
Daniel Frejhammer
lead and Jim couldnt recover. Nor could he contest
Photo by Mal Anderson
thereafter.
Frejhammer then went on to defeat Peter Karlsson in the
finalthat same Karlsson whod eliminated the #1 and #2 seeds,
Mikael Frank and Lars Mattsson.
This Stockholm tournament ended one hour ahead of
schedule. On the second day, Sunday, five singles events with 422
entries were started and completed, again, as on Saturday, with no
delays or hassles. The prizes awarded included blankets, toasters,
clock radios, money, shirts, sport bags, games, tapes, records,
crystal vases and bowls. The number of prizes given out depended
on the number of players in the draw. The winner picked first from
the total prizes, the runner-up next, and so on. I was told that the
first thing that had to be done after a tournament was to notify all the
Swedish clubs of the prizes that were awarded. Clubs watch very
closely to make sure that quality prizes are given and that no
Peter Karlsson
tournament director is trying to skimp his responsibility.
From 1985 World Championship
Program

Scandinavian Open Junior (SOJ) Championships

(Bergen, Norway, May 5-6)
Probably the only thing that prevented the tournament from having most of the strong junior
teams in the world was the absence of China. This SOJC was a mini World Junior Championships,
full of the best young talent around. What a difference from four years ago, stated Scott. [Uh,
reality check needed: four years ago in this tournament the competition was tough enough (see Vol.
XI, pp. 72-77). Scott and Sean ONeill lost in the quarters of the Cadets, and Eric Boggan won
the Junior Singles from a field that included, among others, the Broda brothers (Czech Team
members), and the Swedes Waldner, Lindh, and Akesson.]
As was the case in the Stockholm tournament, the boy entries were particularly strong, and
our U.S. teams were not seeded. USA I beat Denmark II (3-1), and the Faroe Islands II (3-0). But
136

Norway I was another matter. Sean won

the first singles match, but Scott lost his.
The doubles then went to Norway. Sean
returned to win his second singles against
the Norway #1. But Scott couldnt pull
out the fifth match, losing in three to the
#2 Norwegian (whom hed easily defeat
in the next days singles play). This
created a three-way tie [Denmark II
must have blitzed Norway I to produce
these final results: Denmark II (4-3),
U.S. (5-4), Norway (3-5)].
[Didnt Jim and Gene play on a
USA
II team?]
Sean ONeill
Photo by Robert Compton
As for our Girls teams, I was most
disappointed to see that not only was our
USA I team not seeded but that, presuming we advanced out of our initial round robin as expected,
we had to play France I in the quarters. USA I did advanceeasily taking out Norway I, Angby,
and England II, all 3-0.
USA II, Vicky and Jasmine, was placed fourth in their most difficult opening round robin
groupagainst Germany, England I, and Korea II. They lost 3-0 to the eventual group winner,
Germany. They also lost to Korea II, 3-1, but Vicky had a sparkling two-deuce-games victory over
Tae Jo Lee, the Korean #3. Against England I, the U.S. was down 2-1, but abruptly rallied. Then,
following Vickys fourth-match win, Jasmine faced Andrea Holt, one of only two choppers in the
tournament. First game: 21-8to Holt (Please, Jasmine had said before the match, place me so
Vicky gets the chopper.) But Jasmine got stronger, and went on to win the match, 16 and 18.
In the quarters, even with former World Mixed Doubles Champion Claude Bergeret
coaching the French team, Lan and Diana beat them 3-0.
This brought our girls to the semis and
Korea Ian historic tie for our U.S. Team to
remember. Diana opened against Hyun Jung
Hwa, a penhold pips-out attacker whod
eventually win the Girls Singles at this
tournament. [Later, in 1989, with 1988 Olympic
Champion Yoo Nam Kyu, shed win the World
Mixed Doubles, and still later, in far-off 1993,
shed become the World Womens Singles
Champion.] Diana lost to Hyun but contested in
three. Lan followed by downing Park Kyo
Soon, 14 and 10. The Koreans played well in
tandem, however, and took the doubles in
South Koreas Yang Young Ja and Hyun Jung Hwa
From 1989 Dortmand Worlds Program
straight games.
In the fourth match, Lan started out
very strong against Hyun, winning the first at 18, and just losing the second at 19. [Was it
conceivable that either of our players could one day come to have the illustrious career that awaited
this young Korean they were battling? How could that happen?] On into the third they went. Vuong
137

had remarked, Shes so good. She just keeps pounding them in. Lan soon looked like a batteryoperated toy that was losing power, while Hyun kept sending crisp shots deep to the backhand and
then angling the returns wide to the forehand for winners. This time Lan got only 12 points. So,
though the U.S. lost, theyd challenged the South Koreanssomething no other team could do,
including the Swedes who were blanked in the final.
On Sunday, in the Singles, our boys were again in
trouble. Scott, seeded fourth in his initial round robin group
behind Korea #2, England #4, and Norway #2, finished second,
losing only to Koreas Kim Kyung Ho, the eventual finalist to a
fellow Korean. Jim was seeded second and finished third, losing
to the excellent #1 Finnish player Matti Seiro, and also to the
Dane Lars Persson (What? Jimmy, you lost to a 13-year-old?).
Gene, seeded second, finished fourth in his group. First seed
Sean fell to Europes #5 Cadet, Frances Olivier Marmurek.
Thus none of our boys advanced to single elimination.
[What happened in the Boys Doubles?]
Frances Olivier Marmurek
The U.S. girls again rose to the challenge, especially in
the Doubles. USA II (Vicky and Jasmine) defeated England I. Then they had a most impressive
two-straight win over Germany I, a pair that included European Top 12 star, European Girls #2
Olga Nemes. Finally, in the semis, they were stopped by Korea I.
USA I (Lan and Diana) eliminated Denmark II and France II, then went down to Korea II
whod fall to Korea I in the final.
The Girls Singles was a more interesting event. There were eleven round robin groups with
five of the winners advancing to the round of eight, and the other six having to pair off in a single
elimination match that would allow the three winners to join the five others in the quarters. Nemes,
seeded first, and Vuong, unseeded, were the only players who were members of their National
Womens team.
After losing to Englands Holt, but still winning her group via a tie-breaker that depended on
games won/lost, Lan was faced with Ilka Boekning, a 61, 160-pound looper. It could have been
easy for Vuong, Ilkas striking physical opposite in height and weight, to have become intimidated,
but she kept firing away and came away a 21-16 winner in the first. Play to her middle, said Scott.
Shes good on the wings. Move her, fox her.After dropping the second at 15, Lan almost did play
the wily fox, but at 19-all the powerful Ilka was able to hit in a winner, then follow with another.
Diana and Jasmine were unable to advance out of their round robins. But Vicky, though
unseeded, managed to advance to the quarters. There she met Lee Tae Jo, a girl shed beaten
earlier in the Teams. This wasnt a surprise because Vickys very talented and when she
concentrates shes hard to beat. With her close-to-the-table aggressive play, characterized by quick,
hard smashes, she scores a lot of points.
In the first game, Vicky down 20-19, smashed in a winner to deuce it up. The Korean
coach and a player had been coaching Lee on every point and Vicky had become tired of it. She
asked them to be quiet but they ignored her. She walked over to them, waved her hand and yelled,
Yoo-hooooshush! Everyone laughed, including the umpire, but the only one distracted was
Vicky. She failed to score again in the first, and also lost the second.
The one semis pitted Lee against her far stronger teammate Hyun with the expected result.
In the other semis, Swedens Barbro Wiktorssen, Europe Girls #24, couldnt get through Nemess
138

steady blocking. However, in the final, the West Germans unorthodox defensive blocking was no
match for the quick, crisp continuous bullets from the Korean.
The tournament was a clean sweep for South Korea.
International Open
(Hallstahammer,
Sweden, May 10-12)
Stig Eklof and
members of his
bordtennis club met us
at the train station, and
I cant say enough
about the kindness,
generosity, and
hospitality shown us by
this Hallstahammer
community of 18,000.
We were fed and
cared for in the best
possible manner. Stig
had every minute
planned. We played a
Hallstahammer Playing Hall. Inset: Stig Eklof
club tournament with
our boys against their top men (we lost 5-4) and our girls against their #2 team (we won 8-3).
On Friday evening, May 10, we were
treated to the finals of the
Grand Prix Junior
Championships. Eight of
Swedens top juniors with
the most Grand Prix points
accumulated during the
season played off for a top
Goran Wrana
money award of $175 for
From 1985 Worlds
first. Europe Boys #14
Program
Mats Andersson, 1979
U.S. Open Under 11
runner-up to Sean ONeill,
and son of Bengt
Andersson, owner of Stiga
and Banda, won the top
Stiga President Bengt Andersson
spot over Goran Wrana.
Goran was another Swedish junior star, who in 1983 was runner-up to ONeill
in the U.S. Open U-17s.
The U.S. kids had another fantastic tournament. Several area papers
ran pictures and articles on us and the Swedish officials were impressed and
delighted that the USTTA sponsored this expensive venture. The girls did all
Mats Andersson
139

their playing on Saturday. None of them had ever played so much in one day. Lan, for example, was
entered in six events and was in the finals of five.
Results: Womens Elite: 1. Lan. 2. Diana. Womens Class I: 1. Diana. 2. Jasmine. 4. Vicky.
Womens Doubles: 1. Lan/Diana. 2. Vicky/Jasmine (after losing a deuce-in-the-third final). Junior
Girls: 1. Diana (def.). 2. Lan. 3. Jasmine. Womens Class II-III: 1. Jasmine. 4. Vicky.
In the Womens Elite, Lan was seeded third and the rest of our girls were unseeded. In the
second round, Jasmine faced the #1 seed Angela Lath, and took the first at 16. But the beautiful
Swedish star forced the match into the third and finally outlasted Jasmine 26-24. That set the crowd
abuzz, for Jasmine was our #3. How would Lath fare with our #1 Vuong?
The semis told us. But the Swedes wouldnt like the resultLan in three after shed had a
mental lapse in the second and fell way behind. Despite Laths training experience in South Korea
against penholders, she had unsolvable problems with penholder Vuong.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the draw, Diana eliminated the #2 seed,
Halstahammers Ulrika Hanson, two straight. In the final, Lan won the $33 first-place prize,
Diana the $16 second-place prize. [To melove ya, Stigoffering such insignificant money
prizes cheapens
the worth of the
win, the title
(better you give
something
inexpensive but
unique,
memorable)].
In the
Womens
Doubles,
spoilers Vicky/
Jasmine got a
high by knocking
Jasmine Wang
off #1 seeds
Lath/Hanson, then a real low by blowing a quadruple-matchVicky Wong
point 20-16 lead in the third to finally lose it 25-23.
Early in both the Mens Elite and the Class I Singles,
Scott went out. But at least in the quarters of
the Doubles he teamed with a local Elite player
Bo Goraer to give the eventual winners Wrana
and Tommy Johansson a match.
Lonnon had a good win in the Bs over
the #5 seed, Swedens Patrick Torsell, 30-28 in
the decider. But that was as far as he got in the 71entry draw. Scott, however, advanced, downing in
the semis a local favorite and former t.t. exchange
student to Oklahoma City, Mikael Steiner. Then in
Swedens
the final, Peter Sterneborg, a strong looper,
Patrick
Torsell
couldnt find many balls to attack against Scott
From 1988-89 Angby
who quickly became the event winner.
Gene Lonnon
Club Program
140

Jimmy had a super day on Saturday, finishing fourth in Mens Class II and sixth in Class I.
On Sunday he was still playing in the Bs when it was time for us to begin our long journey home.
The Swedes helped us out, and while seven of us left on the train to Stockholm, Jim was able to
finish his match and was taken by car to join us.
[What did Sean do?]
Some significant things can be said about this trip. The cost was high ($10,000) but was
reasonable considering the time we were gone and that most of the hospitality was supplied by
families in Stockholm and Hallstahammer. Our expenses pale when compared to the South Koreans
who, with eight players, two coaches, and a team leader, spent four weeks in Europe [doing what?
with who?].
The countries in Europe were impressed with the USTTA effort. Its a difficult feeling to
express, but the USTTA is expected to participate in almost everything. Non-participation to them
denotes indifference and that doesnt help us in dealing with ITTF committees and other member
associations.
Our efforts to improve our position in table tennis encourages countries to attend our
tournaments, such as the U.S. Open. Also, several countries are now talking about exchanging
juniors as we have been doing with Sweden.
Perhaps most important to some worldly progress, a trip like this lets our top juniors know
where they are in relation to their peer group. Most of the boys have had considerable world
competition, but I dont think our girls knew beforehand how good they actually are. When Eric
Boggan was 15, he told me in North Korea he was scared to death every time he walked out to
play a match in the World Championships there. Of course he was. But you dont adjust to all kinds
of conditions, extreme or not so extreme, by staying in the U.S. to play all your tournaments. I think
we must have more trips like this one, and that we need major sponsorship for our junior teams.
Also, we need more international competition here in the U.S. [Yes, our teams to improve must
compete against formidable opposition.]
Two Grand Prix Tournaments
We see in the ETTU/AIPS publication that a new European Grand Prix
tournament was formeda Ladies Grand Prixthat had a successful debut May
19 in Breda, Netherlands. Well over 600 spectators were often brought to their
feet by the exciting matches they saw. And the players themselves were rewarded
not only by the enthusiasm of those watching, but by a total of DM 31,000. The
fact that so much money went to the participants was due to the sponsors: Philips,
KLM, and Posno Sport (Holland), GEWO (West Germany), ISI (England), and Nassau (South
Korea).
A new system of play was put into place for this tournament. Four players were seeded
two to head Group A; two to head Group B. In Round One, Hungarys Csilla Batorfi d. Frances
Nadine Daviaud, 17, 13, and Hungarys Edit Urban d. Netherlands Mirjam Kloppenburg, 10, 18.
In Round Two, Batorfi d. Yugoslavias Branka Batinic, -14, 15, 16, to become the third player in a
Group A round robin, and Urban, in a great crowd-pleaser, d. Yugoslavias Gordana Percucin, 11, 14, 23 to join the two players in Group B.
Results of the A Group: 1. Olga Nemes, 2-0 (d. Marie Hrachova, -16, 6, 21; d. Batorfi, 20, 13, 16). 2. Hrachova, 1-1 (d. Batorfi, 18, 12). 3. Batorfi, 0-2. Results of the B Group: 1.
Bettine Vriesekoop (d. Olah, 15, 14; d. Urban, -20, 18, 12). 2. Zsuzsa Olah, 1-1 (d. Urban, 14,
15). 3. Edit Urban, 0-2. FINAL: Nemes d. Vriesekoop, 19, -15, 14.
141

Ladies Grand Prix Runner-up Netherlands

Bettine Vriesekoop
Ladies Grand Prix Winner Germanys Olga Nemes

From Tischtennis 3, 1982

From English TT News, Oct., 84; photo by Ian Bell

Prize money distribution: 1. Nemes, 9,000

DM. 2. Vriesekoop, 5,000 DM. 3.-4. Olah and Hrachova, 3,500 DM. 5.-6. Batorfi and Urban,
2,500 DM. 7.-8. Batinic and Perkucin, 2,000 DM. 9.-10. Daviaud and Kloppenburg, 500 DM.
Hungarys Zsuzsa Olah, Europe #5, reports on
the Grand Prix Masters, held in late May at Seoul. The
dead season had already started, she said, which meant
that many players who were eligible to play didnt come,
and those who were here werent much into trying to
challenge the Chinese. Also, the tournament was way too
long due to the fact that everyone had only one match to play daily.
At the banquet after the finals, a special prize was awarded to
Polands Kucharski for being the most popular athlete with the Seoul public.
The organizers presented all participants with photo albums containing colour
pictures of the tournament. Then, before leaving Seoul, we all looked around
the sites of the 1988 Olympiad and got to see a film on the preparations.
Results: Mens Singles: Wang Huiyuan over Jiang Jialiang, 19, 17, 18, 18. Semis: Wang over Kim Ki Taek, 10, 18, 15; Jiang over Lo
Chuen Chung, 16, 10, 14. Womens Singles: Geng Lijuan over Qi
Baoxiang (no score). Semis: Geng over Yang Young Ja, 17, 14, 15; Qi
over Olga Nemes, 14,-18, 15, 12.
Leszak Kucharski

Sue Butlers Surbek Interview

Sue Butler

Although in the Seoul tournament above, Kucharski was the most

popular player with the fans, at many another tournament over the years
that honor has gone to the great Yugoslav internationalDragutin Surbek.
In the May-June, 1986 issue of Topics, Sue Butler has the following
Interview with the ageless, colorful Dragonwell known as being twice
the Worlds Doubles Champion, former European Singles Champion, and
three-times World Singles semifinalist:
SUE: Were you satisfied with your results at the 1985 World
Championships in Sweden?
142

SURBEK: I am pleased with the Team finish. Sixth place for Yugoslavia is a very good
result. I would like to have given Jiang [Chinas World Champion] more trouble, but to place in the
Top 16 in the world is a fine accomplishment.
SUE: How old are you?
SURBEK: I will be 40 in August, but my age at this last Worlds wasnt my problem. The
Draw was not good for me, and I just didnt play well in the tournament. I had been busy with my
restaurant and didnt feel as well prepared as usual. [Years ago, I, Tim, was at a vacationtournament for some European stars in Jamaica, staying at the same casual hotel with them and
noticed Surbek writing a flurry of postcards. Whos that one for? I asked, interrupting his
concentration. My butcher, he said smiling. So you see how well prepared he was then.]
SUE: What do you feel has been the major change over the last 20 years in table tennis?
SURBEK: The mental aspects of the game have changed, and of course the speed and
spin. Also, the Chinese players are traveling all over the world. Well-established players are leaving
the sport and the Chinese are replacing them. The early rounds of the World Championships are
now very difficult. You have to give your best performance or youll get knocked out. This hasnt
been true in past years. The first rounds then were like a warm-up. Still, if you have a good
backhand and forehandan all-around gameyou can stay at the top for .a very long time. [As of
July, 1986, Surbek, almost 41, will still be World #33.]
SUE: Are you satisfied with the equipment change?
SURBEK: Yes, Im happy. Before, it was all service and attack. Now it is somewhat more
interesting to spectators.
SUE: Will table tennis always be an amateur sport?
SURBEK: More and more
money will be in table tennis, and I think
we will have professional leagues all
over the world. If a player is expected
to work, train, and practice 6-8 hours a
day at table tennis then he or she must
be paid as a professional. [The ITTF
Council, meeting in Dubrovnik in June,
1986, would make (World Table
Tennis, Oct.-Nov., 1986) the following
decision: The system of ITTF
recognition of prize money tournaments
has been abolished and players may
now accept prize money in any
competition without prejudice to their
Olympic eligibility.] It is important that
1983 World Mens Doubles Champions Yugoslavias
Zoran Kalinic and Dragutin Surbek
table tennis eventually becomes very
From Butterfly ad
popular in America, for then it will be
accepted all over the world.
SUE: What will the Olympics do for table tennis?
SURBEK: I have no ideawe will have to wait and see. Im also interested in what will
happen if we return to annual World Championships. I believe all of this can only help the sport.
I dont like the way the Olympics are set up for Singles. Players from every country should be able
to participate. It is only fair.
143

SUE: What will it take to equalize the Chinese superiority?

SURBEK: In China, of course, table tennis is a national sport, and there are over 12 million
players. Their way of thinking and training is a science, not a sport. They are so fast and in such good
physical condition. For the players there, it is the way to a better life. I have played six generations of
Chinese players, and have improved by playing themespecially as they have increased my speed. If the
Europeans can play the Chinese more and more, then we can learn how to beat them.
SUE. In Yugoslavia is table tennis as popular as it was?
SURBEK: The older players are popular, but the halls are not as full of spectators as in the
past. This is because they also feel that we are getting older and the younger players are not of a
high enough level.
SUE: What about the junior programs, especially in the Eastern European countries? Arent
they strong?
SURBEK: The new generations are not bad material, but it will be necessary for them to
work very hard. Berczik has been a very positive influence in Hungary, and his loss here in Europe
is missed a great deal. In Yugoslavia, we have lost many of our good players by emigration to other
countries.
SUE: Has this caused bad feelings in Yugoslaviaafter bringing them up and training
themto have young players leave?
SURBEK: Of course, but we understand that everyone has to decide for themselves what is
best. I only regret that the coaches and trainers havent found a good solution to keep them.
SUE: How should we attract juniors, especially girls, to table tennis?
SURBEK: It is much easier to get boys interested because they can get famous in a shorter
amount of time in table tennis than most other sports. Girls are the bigger problem. They seem to
have other goals. They fall in love, or get interested in more glamorous sports. Also, they dont like
coaches yelling at them. Their feelings and emotions get in the way too much.
SUE: Tell us about your family.
SURBEK: I am married and have two sons. The oldest is 16 and plays tennis. Since I have
been playing in the German leagues, I have not been home enough to coach my boys in table tennis.
SUE: Do you feel your influence as a coach for your sons is so important that you wouldnt
want anyone else to coach them?
SURBEK: It is most important to teach the proper technique to a beginner. It is very difficult
to correct faulty technique habits, especially in table tennis, after they are ingrained. A player who
has bad technique from the beginning and doesnt correct it will never be able to play well.
SUE: So, do you feel that the first 1-2 years are the most important to the development of a
player?
SURBEK: Yes, the coach lays the foundation for the future, and not only in technique but in
manners and behavior as well.
SUE: Are you interested in coaching in other countriesfor instance, in the U.S.?
SURBEK: If there is a possibility for six months, one year, I would accept.
SUE: If you were hired as a U.S. coach, what would you do first?
SURBEK: I would try to get more money offered in tournaments, so that the interest of
your young people could be attained. [This of course is NOT what our Olympic-based Colorado
Springs Headquarters (with their grass-roots emphasis on Boys Clubs and Boy Scouts), or our
amateur-minded (we cant spend money) E.C. is interested in; there is no organized thrust to favor a
world-class U.S. team.] I would train coaches to show correct technique. They must be able to
demonstrate not just verbalize. The physical and mental training of players is also very important.
144

SUE: What contribution should the U.S. make?

SURBEK: The U.S. must get something going at home. The fact that the top players are in
Europe is not good. There should be a lot of opportunities and incentives.
SUE: What is ahead for Dragutin Surbek? You say you have a restaurant?
SURBEK: Thats true, but I will continue to play table tennis because I like it so much. I
think I can always be very useful.
SUE: Have you ever gotten up in the morning and said, I dont want to do this anymore?
SURBEK: Never! Table tennis is my hobby, profession, and satisfaction.
SUE: You have always had so much confidence when you play. How do you develop this?
SURBEK: I practice technique every day. It doesnt matter who I play. I use my style and
do everything I can to beat that person.
SUE: I feel you are the best player ever who has not won the World Singles title. Does this
fact frustrate you?
SURBEK: Many coaches and people around the world have told me that I was the best in
the world even though I didnt win the title. This has been enough for me. Next year at the World
Championships I will be 40 and Ill not only play, but win! Everyone has to fight for every point
against me. I wont lose easily.
SUE: What will it take for you to retirefive Yugoslav juniors who can beat you?
SURBEK: Five Yugoslav juniors
Yugoslavias Ilija Lupulesku
will never beat me. Every team needs a
and Zoran Primorac
player with fighting spirit. I have a lot of
experience and can teach our juniors a lot.
SUE: How do you feel about the
behavior of the American team?
SURBEK: They are at times too
loud and boisterous, but you must never
take them lightly or you could lose. They
are always in the public eye, and so
everything they say and do is remembered. I think mostly they act within the framework of what
world-class players generally consider accepted behavior.
Liguo and Henan Li Ais Do I Need a Coach?
Henan Li Ai has said that serious table tennis players in the U.S. need a strong Training
Program. If we want to be a power on the world scene, she says, our players have to try harder
or we have no future. Here I
give you the gist of a coaching
article by the Ais (SPIN, Apr.,
1985, 15):
Back in 1959, Rong
Guotuan became the first Chinese
to win the World Mens Singles
Championshipand this was
primarily because of the coaching
he got when he was down 2-1 to
Dick Miles in the semis. Rongs

1959 Chinese World Champion

Rong Guotuan
From World Table Tennis Stars 1959-1989

145

teammates on the outside saw what

Rong, too much on the inside, caught
up in the play, couldnt see. Their
suggestion he defend, not drive,
changed the match. So it is, even with
very intelligent players: if they want to
get to the mountain-top, they may
need help to keep from getting lost.
Had Chinese teammates not been
playing, they could have coached Xu
Yinsheng in the eighths and Yang
Huihua in the quarters against Miles,
and perhaps one of them could have
gone on to become the Champion.
After this 59 victory finish at
the 25th World Championships,
Rong Guotan giving an addess as World Champion
Chinese players felt strongly that they
From World Table Tennis Stars 1959-89
needed coaches who were available
to give them advice any time they wanted it. They wanted coaches who were more experienced,
knowledgeable, and who would take responsibility for what they said. With one voice they asked
for coaches who cared about the players future and who would encourage them. This collective
voice marked the maturation of Chinese table tennis, for now Chinas Sports and Physical
Education Committee (the Sports Ministry) formed a training center centered on coaching.
Today there are more than 2,000 professional table tennis coaches in China, mostly working
in spare-time junior sport schools. In Beijing alone, there are 11 such schools. The Chinese TTA
sponsors coaching seminars with nationally certified coaches explaining the newest theories,
techniques, and most advanced training methods.
Of course, no matter how good the coach, he/she too has room for improvement, and it
behooves the player to take this into consideration as he and his coachhis performance partner
reallymake what well may be their zigzag way up the mountain. In China there are special
research institutes helping coaches who want to improve, for expert aficionados know that table
tennis is too complicated to deal with individually, though it is an individual sport.
U.S. table tennis is not nearly as instructionally organized as Chinas; still here both the
player and the coach, working together, can make headway. All you as a player have to do is tell
your coach the truth, what you are feeling, what you are thinking. You may or may not agree with
your coach, but tell the truth. Without this communication there likely will be no necessary
adjustment. Dont be impatient or get mad at your coach if his first efforts havent worked well and
you dont immediately see improvement. Only when your coach doesnt pay any attention to what
you are thinking and feeling may you reject him.
Table tennis is a sport of cleverness. And the sport makes you more clever if you act with
not only muscle but brain. We encourage players to make every big decision themselves, while
considering what the coach has advised. There is a rule for the Chinese table tennis team that bears
repeating. Players decide what to do when they disagree with their coaches during matches and
there is no time for discussion.
A players improvement depends on both coach and player, but mainly on how good the
coach is. If you are a good coach, players love you, respect you, listen to you. If not, they keep a
certain distance from you.
146

Chapter Ten
1985: Pre-U.S. Open Potpourri. 1985: Historic Match in California Between China
and Chinese Taipei.
In Gothenburg, according to the Minutes
from an Apr. 4 Meeting at the Opalen Hotel, the
ITTF Olympics Commission came to some
conclusions about participation in the 1988 Seoul
Olympic Games. It was agreed that the table
tennis players should be of the highest international
standard and that the participants should be drawn
from all continents and from as many countries as
possible. [Surely these are contradictory aims:
powerhouse China will be denied entries in favor
of weak third-world participants wholl provide
geographical representation but wont look
Olympian.] In Mens Singles, there will be 64
players, 16 of whom will be based on the World
Classification (Ranking) list and 4 nominated by
the ITTF. With regard to the remaining 44 players,
Mascot for 1988 Seoul Olympic Games
the recommended apportionment (through
qualifying competition) is as follows: Europe (12); Asia (12); Latin America (8); Africa (8); North
America (2); Oceania (2). In Womens Singles, there will be 32 players, 8 of whom will be based
on the World Classification list and 2 nominated by the ITTF. The remaining 22 players will be
apportioned as follows: Europe (6); Asia (6); Latin America (4); Africa (4); North America (1);
Oceania (1).
The maximum number of players from any one country shall be four men (maximum of 3 in
the Singles) and 3 women (maximum of 2 in the Singles). The limit on the total number of players
means that each doubles pair must contain at least one player who
is qualified for singles. Each continent will be allotted half as many
doubles entries as singles. Doubles of mixed nationalities will not
be allowed. The nominations reserved for the ITTF will be used to
adjust the numbers of doubles entries where the number of players
qualifying from a Continent is odd. [This means that North
America and Oceania will each be allowed 1 womens doubles
team.]
Of course both the U.S.s Jimmy McClure and Canadas
Chandra Madosingh opposed this allocation and urged that for
North America the allocation be enlarged and for Latin America
reducedor, put another way, the allocation be for a combined
Americas. Question is: how can that be done? Both Jimmy and
Chandra specifically objected to the gender disparity, and Canada
thought the allocation for the not-so-strong African women should
he halved. Can it be right that one Championship Division Team,
Canadas Chandra Madosingh,
China, be assured of 7 entries, and another Championship
with Vegas showgirl
147

Division Team, the U.S. be assured of none? And how the hell can we get support for a U.S.
TEAM at the Olympics with no assurance that U.S. Players will even be there?
Think our voices will be heard?
At the ITTF Delgates Meetings in Gothenburg, where Gus Kennedy and I
represented the U.S., it was decided that all rackets had to be of two colors only
easily distinguishable red and black (Tamasus Butterfly Company was politicking
hard for this). Agreed? Gus voted Yes for this (and to some outside snickering) I
voted No. Later, I heard that some delegates were against the color black because
they werent satisfied with its elasticity. And Danny Seemiller, for one, didnt think
the red/black ruling fair. He has to get rid of his other colored rubber, and thats
going to cost him quite a bit of money.* This black/red rule will go into effect in the U.S. in major
events as of July 1, 1986 and in all events as of Jan. 1, 1987.
Some interesting proposals that failed had to do with being able to use the uncovered side
of the racket blade; being required to play with the same kind of rubber on both sides; and being
forced to serve cross-court in singles as well as doubles.
As Id mentioned in my last volume, the U.S. wants to abolish the ITTF limit on prize
money being offered in competition, and of course, following up on a letter Id sent the ITTF
member-countries earlier Id made this point again to the delegates. At the moment, one could win
only 1250 Swiss francs (about $600) in any one event and still keep his/her Olympic eligibility. This,
I argued, in a world of glamorous money-oriented sports was such a pittance that it made table
tennis look laughable, ridiculous. With such a burden, how could one create in the United States a
positive image of a competitive sport that would be taken seriously by the masses?
The delegates agreed that what I said made sense. However, my companion argument was
rejected. Why, when a tournament event offered more than 1250 Swiss francs, did the ITTF feel
the need to impose a tax5% of the total prize moneyon promoters, which if not paid, would
deprive anyone who played in the tournament his Olympic eligibility? I really didnt get a satisfactory
answer to this question.** Werent promoters, especially in the U.S., to be encouraged?
I might mention here the occasional U.S. tournament promoter who doesnt care about the
ITTF or its prize-money restrictionsWindsor Olson, readers may remember as being the prime
example. Hes back again, sticking it to the ITTF with his Nov.,
1984 tournament for the 15th Annual World Professional Table
Tennis Title (thus irritating the ITTF who lays claim to any World
table tennis title). Though ITTF Secretary-General Tony Brooks
insists that the ITTF has no list anywhere of professional players,
Danny Seemiller cheerfully acknowledges he certainly is one. And
so on May 17th I sent round, if not to the ITTF, to my E.C., this
piece of information that came my way:
Turns out that last November Danny participated in the
Windsor Olson-promoted Seattle Sockeyes vs. Haiti match for
the 15th Annual World Professional Table Tennis Title.
Danny said that Olson paid him well for his evenings
performance and paid all the players something. Over the years
Olson has held a number of these Seattle-Haiti matchesthough
148

Danny Seemiller - Performer

what the Haiti connection is I dont know. Perhaps since that country has no ITTF affiliation, Olson
feels he wont get any hassle by using that International cover (though years ago he ran at least one
tournament in Port-au-Prince).
Certainly the 500 or so spectators in Seattle who paid ($25 a seat) or didnt pay to get in
couldnt care less about the composition of the teams or who had beaten who to get into this Final.
[Poor Danny, though, was asked on TV who his Seattle team had beaten in the semisand could
only stumble out an Oh, they werent very good.]
For those interested in the team rosters, playing for
Zoltan
Seattle were Danny, Zoltan Pataky, and Hong Pham (Quang
Pataky
Bui wanted to play, but for whatever reason wasnt
From Dec.
8-9, 1979
available); and playing for Haiti were Jay Crystal, Mike
Pacific
Bochenski, and Mark Walsh.
Northwest
It was more like a show than anything else, said
Open
Dannylike a big-time wrestling show. We played with a
Program
large ballalmost twice the size of a regular balland of
course the play was slowed down. But the spectators were
really into itlike in Jamaica. The publicity for this Title
match was good, and the TV set-up was excellent. Olson
must have had $5,000 media expenses alone.
Im reminded of two
of Mel Eisners
Upbeat columns
(SPIN, April, 1985,
25) and July-Aug., 1985, 22) in which he offers tips to those
who want to do exhibitions. He stresses that the participants
recognize that theyre giving a performance rather than a
demonstration of serious table tennis. He says, Your
audience is waiting to be amused and stimulated. So, remember, you get out there and Its Show
Time! Which is exactly what this Title match successfully aspired to be.
While at the Worldsthe ITTF WorldsUSTTA officials had a meeting with John
Loring, Export Sales Manager for Stiga. In return for providing tables, nets, surrounds, umpires
tables and scorers, Stiga had proposed a six-year contract, renewable, covering the U.S. Open,
U.S. Closed, National Sports Festival, Bill Hornyaks Duneland tournament, Indianas White River
Park Games, and the 1987 Pan Am Games. After Id signed a Letter of Intent with John, I had to
send him the following May 10 letter:
Since my arrival back in the States, Ive been getting a great deal of criticismfrom
USTTA Executive Committee members not present in Gothenburg, from outside confidants, and
from our USTTA lawyersover just exactly what Jimmy McClure, Dennis Masters, and I were
selectively doing in the name of the USTTA in that Letter of Intent with Stiga. So, sorry, John, but I
have to insist now that the USTTA responsibly clarify and modify this Letter of Intent.
First, we must protect our Association in case we get outside commercial sponsorshipthat
is, of course, a non-competitive sponsor to Stigasay a beer company. That sponsor must have
access to the inner surroundsa certain percentage of those surrounds. That kind of control the
USTTA must keep, for its primarily those surrounds that we, the USTTA, have to sell to nation149

wide TV. Also, though I certainly

dont anticipate any such
commercial sponsor forbidding
Stiga to film matches, my lawyers
want me to allow for that unlikely
possibility.
Alsoa new pointthe
USTTA wants the righteven if
we wont likely exercise that
rightto approve any party that
Stiga might want to assign their
agreement with us to. Naturally we
wouldnt be unreasonable,
wouldnt whimsically withhold our
approval.
And, lastly, the length of
the contract: not 6 years but 3
years, as Jimmy and you, John,
first talked aboutthats what our
Association insists on, though of
course after those 3 years Stiga
has the first right of refusal.
I ask you, John, to please
realize that our conversations in
Gothenburg escalated so rapidly
from talk of 1 years tournaments,
to 3, to 6, to include not just the
U.S. Open and the Closed but
other tournaments which, as we
made changes in Gothenburg, got
left out of the Letter of Intent. Our
little group of Jimmy, Dennis and I,
and you and Bengt [Stiga owner
Bengt Andersson] were all so
casual as not even to specify, say, just how many tables and barriers you were to provide or what
delivery costs you were to incur.
Anyway, my lawyers think its better for what we hope will be a long-term relationship with
Stiga if we carefully clarify this Letter of Intent and spell it all out in a formal contract between the
USTTA and Swedish Table Tennis AB (STT) [Stiga]. Agreed?
[No immediate contract was signed, but a Gentlemens Agreement went into effect.]
In Gothenburg, Dick Miles spoke to the Chinese, and I spoke to the Russians about Miles
and his alliance with BWI, a sports-promotion organization whose proposed services to the USTTA
will be to promote and fully financially support an upcoming tour of major U.S. universities that will
feature both foreign (including some very necessary Chinese) and U.S. players. Heres part of the
follow-up Apr. 6 letter I wrote to my Russian contact, Vladimir Kosmatov:
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This will confirm our talk during the World Championships in Gothenburg. The United
States Table Tennis Association wishes to invite a Mens Team from the Soviet Union to the United
States sometime either in the fall of 1985 (mid-October/mid-November), or, more likely, in 1986,
between January 15/March 15 for a period of about three weeks.
As I explained to you, the Chinese have tentatively indicated that they will participate in this
Tour. [Later, a China Sports Service letter to Miles and a telegram to me (in response to a query on
my part) confirmed that the Chinese feel that the first half of 86 is ideal for a University Tour.] The
venues were proposing are approximately 12 major universities. The matches would be Davis
Cup-style, and would include, if everyone accepts, a 3-man Team from the Soviet Union, a 3-man
Team from China, and two U.S. Teams. We would play, for example, U.S. vs. Soviet Union and
U.S. vs. Chinawith the two winners playing in the final.
Financial arrangements are as follows. In addition to 3 players from the Soviet Union, we
would invite any two additional representatives you would care to have accompany your Teamfor
example, a coach and an interpreter. We would promise round-trip transportation for all five
members of your party, first-class hotel accommodations, all meals, and an honorarium of $500 per
week for each of the 5 people. The Chinese and the Americans would also be receiving the same
amount.
We look upon this event as more of a Friendship/Competition Tour than as a series of
tournaments. We would bring this Tour to the universities under the sponsorship of a major U.S.
corporationprobably one that would be interested in firming up business relations with the Soviets
and the Chinese, as well as presenting its product to the college market.
We do not ask that you commit yourself in advance to this proposal until we can provide
you with all the details. However, it would be of great benefit to us if you could, at the earliest
possible moment, send us a brief letter expressing your interest in this project.
We are very anxious for your cooperation, and we remain your true friends in the sport of
table tennis. [I have the strong feeling now, as I write, that this is more a Miles letter than one of
mine.]
Time passes, and though USTTA liaison Mel Eisner and Miles have arrived at a finished
version of Dicks contract with the USTTA, I havent got a response from the Russians. What then
will follow?...Anything?...[Nope. BWI couldnt get the necessary funding.]
Meanwhile, the World #2 Swedes, helped by Stiga, have agreed to send a Mens Team
to our June 26-30 U.S. Open. Specifically, our USTTA responsibility (from June 24 through
Sunday, June 30) is as follows: $2,000 air fare, 3 hotel rooms, and $20 a day meal allowance
for each.
As far as World Champion China being our guests at the U.S. Open I strongly pushed for
that, though not unmindful that the Beijing-Miami-Beijing airfare for a group of 7 is about $10,000.
Jay Harris, our Fund-Raising Chair, whos been trying, cant begin to guarantee that, without a
sponsor, well get National TV, but if we had the World Champion Chinese at our Open (in addition
to the runner-up Swedes) wed have a better chance of getting TVand if we had TV wed get
$5,000 more help from the Miami Beach VCA.
I think inviting the Chinese, whove indicated they want to come (and, perhaps because our
interest in them coming have made them receptive to Miless proposed University Tour), is worth
some thousands in continuing goodwill. U.S. Team Manager Dennis Masters and I think that the
E.C. could either treat this airfare expense as a U.S. Open tournament expense or else budget some
of the windfall money that the E.C. has kept back for special projects or occasions.
151

I asked for varied opinions from my E.C. members, and received this feedback from
Rufford Harrison:
I agree with you that inviting the Chinese would be a great goodwill gesture, but I dont
think the goodwill that wed get would be worth $10K. Id have to vote No.
I dont for a moment think it would be only $10K. The very minimum number of people I
can see coming would be 8, and the Chinese are likely to bring more. But even at 8, how could we
keep the cost down to $10K? The air fares alone would be more than that. Then there is foodno
small item this; you dont feed the Chinese a la Valhalla [perhaps an ironic reference to the terrible
food offered the players/officials in Gothenburg]and hotel rooms and local transportation. And
telephone and telex. And transportation for our own players who have to be with the Chinese when
they play matches outside the U.S. Open. And our officialsumpires, captains, president, manager,
etc. And incidentals like a trip to the zoo or the beach or the Everglades. They dont just fly into
Miami the day before the tournament and fly home again the day after. If we did that to them wed
get no goodwill at all.
Lets budget something next season for a lower-cost teamSweden, France, Korea,
England?and run a tour right. And demonstrate that we are ready for a Chinese tour. [Tour?
Were inviting the Chinese to our Open; were not inviting them to a Tour.]
Finally, an E.C. vote had to be taken: the result was 7-2 FOR inviting the Chinese. We
promised to invite 7 people, pay airfare, hotel rooms, and give them a food allowance. They
accepted.
Jay Harris and I had a recent three-way phone
conversation with John Brooks, who was involved in the
telecasting of table tennis tournaments some years ago (I
remember at one U.S. Open in particular he and Jack
Howard worked well together as an announcing team). John
says an Oklahoma group, Advantage Sports, would like to
work out a TV agreement with the USTTA that would
guarantee the USTTA five years of hour-long U.S. Open
shows on ESPN, USA, or the
Turner networkproviding the
USTTA put up $50,000 the first
year, $25,000 the second year,
and went 50-50 partners the third
through fifth years. For this years
U.S. Open, Advantage would
Working the 1978 U.S. Open: Colorman
want $25,000 in hand before
starting to film. Questions are there Jack Howard, Anchorman John Brooks,
and (inset) Interviewer John Snyder
to be explored, agreements
Photo by Don Gunn
possiblebut the USTTA wasnt
ready to get involved.
Local Organizing Director
for the U.S. Open
Bard Brenner
Photo by Candice Barbot

Bard Brenner, the local Organizing Director for the 1985 U.S.
Open (first time the Opens ever been in Florida) writes an article (SPIN,
152

July-Aug., 1985, 16) in which he describes the needed U.S. Open

Groundwork. Heres something of how that played out:
The first major hurdle, the prize money, was solved
with the $15,000 provided by the lead commercial sponsor
Capital Bank, with the approval of its President, Abel Holtz.
The most difficult item, the playing site, took four months to
resolve. Last February, Norman Litz, Convention Center Director,
quoted a $22,500 rate to Dennis Masters. I appealed first to the
advisory board and then the city commission to get rent reductions
to $18,300 and finally a base rent of $12,500.Then in March,
the Visitor and Convention Authority (VCA) of Miami Beach
approved a $2,500 grant plus another $2,500 matching grant. The
next month, the Council of Arts and Sciences of Metropolitan
Capital Bank President Abel Holtz
Dade County approved $7,500.The sum total of government
support thus covered the cost of the concrete-floor playing site.
With a choice of three official tournament hotels available to us, we eventually picked the
Biscayne Bay Marriott in Miami. They offered to pay for peak-hour shuttle service to the
tournament, provide a complimentary players party, and reasonable room rates.
The cost of hosting both the Chinese
and the Swedes exceeded $17,000. In addition,
President Boggan went for a rented four-table
basketball floor in the main arena (rental cost
$2,500) surrounded by 5,000 cushioned chairs,
and an outrageously expensive Program put
together by Boggan under too casual
advisement of Jay Harris who, selecting the
printer, apparently, like Boggan, wasnt
responsible enough to consider what the cost
might mount to.
Problems encountered: (1) Foreign
teams entered in record numbers (20 countries
represented), but many sent in their playerinformation late. This caused havoc as it hurt
pre-event publicity, and helped drive up the cost
of the 46-page Program to almost double the
budget. [Why was that?] (2) Too many U.S.
players stayed home. At one early point we
thought we might have 800 entries; we ended up
with 525 or so. (3) Assembling the tables,
despite Director of Physical Operations Dick Evanss expertise, took a day longer than planned,
and, though the players enjoyed the extra practice time, it cost the USTTA $1,500 to have the lights
turned on. (4) The hostage crisis preempted half of our pre-tournament television and some of the
in-progress footage shot by the local network affiliates. (5) And of course we were up against
Wimbledon. The end result: tournament expenses escalated. [Id like to see nowwhat I dont
havea detailed listing of what those expenses were.]***
153

On the plus side, players and officials would consider it a highly successful tournament. The
luxury-line hotel with its waterfront location, varied restaurants, shopping mall next door, and night
life within the hotel were all much appreciated. Publicity for the tournament was good. There were
table tennis commercials on Channel 7 WSVN (Miamis NBC affiliate) up to 15 days before the
competition. And there were over 60 different articles in the newspapers, including the New York
Times, thanks mostly to the efforts of local publicity director Bob Gordon. (The Times article by
Jon Nordheimer struck the right note by opening, After a long climb out of the American basement
rec room, the game of Ping-Pong is spinning toward acceptance as a sport in this country.) Jay
Harris got ESPN to do limited national coverage, and we even had a TV crew from Chinese Taipei
beam the action via satellite to Taiwan.
Before the Open, in Los Angeles, Dennis Masters and I, Tim,
had had an encouraging talk with Dr. Jiing T. Wang whod head a
support group that would take good care of the Chinese from the time of
their arrival in L.A. until they were to leave for Miami. Ai Liguo would
serve as our USTTA liaison, would meet the Chinese at the airport,
would accompany them and see that all was well. Liguo and the Chinese
would be joined in Miami by Henan Li Ai (after shed finished her Camp
at Colorado
Springs).
The
Dr. Jiing T. Wang
Chinese were
sending both
of their 1985 World Champions, Jiang
Jialiang and Cao Yanhua, to this U.S.
Open. With the Swedish World Doubles
Champions Mikael Appelgren and Ulf
Carlsson also there, it would be every bit
the prestigious tournament wed hoped
for. The Chinese were due to arrive in
L.A. on June 21 and go to Miami on June
24. After the Open was over, the Chinese
would spend two more days in Miami
before leaving on July 3rd.
Historic Match Between China and
Chinese Taipei
That said, the opportunity
immediately presents itself for me to
segue into a lead-in to coverage of the
U.S. Open that will follow. To close this
chapter, heres Mary McIlwain with that
lead-in (SPIN, July-Aug., 1985, 6):
For the first time ever, the Peoples
Republic of China and Chinese Taipei met
head to head in an historic international

Mary McIlwain
From Butterfly TT Report, 1959

154

team match that excited a packed Almansor Sports

Complex Gym June 22-23 in Alhambra, CA. The two
teams meeting served as warm-up play for the U.S. Open
to be held just a few days later in Miami.
Two-time and present World Womens Champion,
the tall, stunning Cao Yanhua, and teammate Li Huifen went
undefeated against the Chinese Taipei players. The best
match was played by the petite Lin Li-Zu who won the first
game from Cao at 16 but lost the second at 14. Both
players put on a brilliant display of shots in the third with
Cao finally pulling it out 22-20. In the companion singles,
Huifen was too 10, 14 strong for Huang Mei-Jen. The tie
was then quickly won when Cao/Huifen took the doubles
from Chuang Shu-Hwa and Huang Mei.
The handsome, debonair Mens World Champion,
Jiang Jialiang, was well received by the 850 fans (tickets
went for $5 upstairs, $15 downstairs, and $50 for special
seats for Chinese businessmen). But the real stars of this
two-day tourney were the Chinese-Taipei mens team
consisting of 1984 U.S. Open Mens Champion Wu WenChia and his winning Mens Doubles partner Huang Huieh-

Chinas 1983, 1985 World Women

Singles Champion Cao Yanhua
From World Table Tennis, July/Aug., 1986

Current World Mens Champion Jiang Jialiang

1984 U.S. Open Mens Champion Wu Wen-Chia

From Tennistavolo

From Butterfly TT Report, Oct., 86

Chieh who decisively defeated China 4-1. Both Taipei players attacked continuously as if their lives
depended on winning, and the crowd went wild after every point they scored. The very personable
Huang won all his matches, including his thrilling -17, 17, 17 victory over Jiang. Huang was
especially polite when asked if his picture could be taken. He answered in good English, It would
be my pleasure.
155

Both teams stayed at the same hotel, were courteous, extremely patient with fans, and were
impeccably dressed. It was a special joy for those of us who would not be able to attend the Open
in Miami. Of course, the majority of West Coast table tennis enthusiasts who had never seen world
championship play cheered and gave standing ovations to the talented players from both teams.
The first
California U.S.
womens team,
consisting of
National
Champion Julie
Au and U.S. #2
Lan Vuong,
played very well
against
Chinese-Taipei,
though they lost
3-2. Both Au
Julie Au
Lan Vuong
and Vuong
Photo by Terry Canup
Photo by Robert Compton
defeated
Chuang but lost to
Lin.Against China,
however, the
Americans couldnt
take a game. The
second California
U.S. womens team,
Kerry Vandaveer
amd Kim Gilbert,
gained valuable
experience and
played some good
points against Taipei,
especially Vandaveer
Kerry Vandaveer
Kim Gilbert
Photo by Mal Anderson
who won a deuce
game from Huang and scored 18 and 14 against Lin.
The selected mens team representing California was made up of Erwin Hom, Masaru
Hashimoto, Craig Manoogian, Tony Koyama, and Mike Baltaxe. These players were honored to
meet such talented opponents and, though none of them could win a game, they demonstrated
sportsmanship equal to their competitive rivals. (See photos next page.)
The effort behind this historic event was considerable. After Tim Boggan and Dennis
Masters had indicated when they were in California for the Pacific Coast Open that this event might
occur, Dr. Jiing T. Wang, the Southern California TTA International Chairman, worked tirelessly in
arranging the details. He was aided by Dr. Eugene Taw, Ichiro Hashimoto, Harold Kopper, Lyn
Smith, Rich Livingston, Craig Martin, David and Kiem Huo, Masaru Hashimoto, and others from
the Alhambra TTC. Also helping were the Almansar Sports Complex crew under the direction of
Roxanne Tomito, Alhambra Parks and Recreation Coordinator.
156

Mike Baltaxe

Craig Manoogian
and friend

Tony Koyama
Photo by Don Gunn

Ex-officio Mayor of Alhambro and present City Council member Mary Louise Bunker
graciously gave full support to this event as she did in welcoming the teams on their way to the 85
Open. She presented the keys to the city of Alhambra to both teams and awarded special pins to
the working committee.
A dinner sponsored by the Council General of the PRC in San Francisco was given Friday
evening after the players and Coach Chou Lan-Sun had taken a tour of Universal Studios. On
Saturday, the SCTTA gave its dinner, and on Sunday the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce hosted
the third dinner of the weekend at the Kin Hing Chinese Restaurant where Chamber Executive
Manager Dick Nichols enthusiastically presided and introduced other city officials.
Results and photos were all over the front pages of the LA Chinese papers, but [has PingPong Diplomacy fallen out of fashion?] unfortunately nothing reached the LA Times or other
leading newspapers.
SELECTED NOTES.
*It wasnt only Seemiller who was unhappy with what the advent of new rubber would cost
him. Floridas Lenny Chew, in a Letter to the Editor, had this complaint (SPIN, Apr., 1985, 3);
I would like to pose a question to any, or all, of the major U.S. table tennis equipment
dealers. I, like many of my table tennis-playing colleagues, am concerned over the steady increases
in retail prices over the last few years.
We are all accustomed to paying more for our various consumer goods due to inflation
and related factors. But since virtually all of our table tennis equipment is foreign-made and
exported to the U.S., I am puzzled as to why prices keep escalating at the rate they do while
the U.S. dollar is at record-high exchange rates abroad. For example, against the West
German Deutsche Mark, the dollar at the time of this writing is at a 13-year high. It is almost
twice as high as it was against the Deutsche Mark in 1980. Much the same can be said about
the dollars performance against the Japanese Yen. Foreign inflation rates alone have not been
high enough to affect retail prices here in view of the much stronger buying power of our dollar
overseas.
157

**Since many delegates of ITTF member-countries were

agreeing that prestige money tournaments were important [and would
increasingly be so], I thought now would be a good time to let you hear
Tom Wintrichs interesting thoughts on prize money topics. In his
Directors Decisions article (SPIN, Mar. 13, 1985, 13), he makes the
following points:
As if making up for what Director Power Poon had perceived as
Wintrichs excessively negative comments about Powers recent
Louisiana Open tournament, Tom opens this article with a paean to
Tournament Directors everywhere: Directors should be greeted by
arriving participants eager to exchange handshakes as an expression of
their gratitude for the superb competition about to begin.
First topic: Hard Rubber Singlesa nostalgic event, a fun
event. But the multitude of juniors that the USTTA would like to add to
its membership during the 88 quadrennial will not play with hard rubber,
will most likely not even be instructed that it is an option. Why, then, do
tournament directors and the USTTA itself include it in competitions?
Worse yet, why do some tournament directors waste prize money on
Tom Wintrich
hard rubber singles? [Answer: Because it has a glorious history, and
because it demands skillful play that is invariably enjoyed by spectators; thus its practitioners should
be rewarded?]
Next: Handicap/Point Adjusted Singlesanother fun event. But, like the hard rubber
event, it means more matches to time schedule, so why offer [even the usual minimum prize money]
for that. Its place, if any, is in a 1-star tournament.
Next: Combined Rating Doubles. In such an event it may be that a 2500 player could
combine with a 1299 player to compete for prize money in an Under 3800 Doubles. That presents
a problem for two near U-1900 players, for it wont produce fun competition for them.
[Fortunately, that lopsided pairing doesnt happen often because the strong player, out of his
element, may well feel his participation, even to please a friend, cheapens him.]
Next: Concrete Floors. What to do with major tournaments, like the U.S. Open, Closed,
or U.S. Open Team Championships that offer only venues that have such floors? Definitely a
recurring problem. Change them completely to play on wood floors in venues just large enough for
8 to 16 tables, and say bye, bye to our mass event, mass-entry tournaments? [Or pay, as in this
years U.S. Open, to put in a floor for just four arena tables, an expense perhaps not practical? Or
wait patiently for whats sooner or later comingcarpeted flooring?]
Next: Entry Fees/Prize Money Trap. One of the biggest problems of non-sponsored
purses. The trap is set like this. One hundred to 150 entrants at $75-$100 each will generate over
$10,000. So what if we have to schedule 20-40 events to lure players into the $100 entry range. So
what if the tournament cant end until late Sunday night after a late finish on Saturday night. So what
if its impossible to time schedule? Hey, we got a $10,000 tournament here. Wont everybody be
happy?
Obviously not. But in the U.S. especially, money talks, and successful player after successful
player in sport after sport, receives his (her) due in CASH. If one is to be proud of playing his sport
seriously, very seriously, if onelike Bill Hornyak or Power Poonis to be proud of hosting a
tournament, there must be, in this culture of recognition hes so much a part of, a desired prizemoney criterion. Theres self-pride in doing a good job, and for many that may be enough. But for
158

others its not enoughthey feel they deserve for all their hard work a vanity reward in which
money plays an important part.
. Tom throws out the suggestion that maybe we should give up big money tournaments.
Says thats not as heretical as it soundsthat we might be able to promote professional table tennis
more successfully by offering less prize money. Instead of offering $10,000, offer $5,000. But pay it
out in one event only. That means bucks even to the guymaybe a 1900-2100 playerwho loses
in the sixteenths. So many others, if their entry fees would be considerably reduced, would be
happy to play for a trophy? Perhaps. But I think in our sports culture an event is considered more
important if it offers money prizes. Toms right when he says just one money event would focus
attention on that event. But who would watch it? The playersanymore than they would
ordinarily? And the spectators would come from where?
Next: Semifinal Round Robin Matches. Tom says, This is no way to conclude the major
event of a tournament, especially when big moneys on the line. Much more drama in Single
Elimination where you dont have the awkward complications of a three-way tie.
Finally: Time-Scheduled Competition: Players love time-scheduled tournaments because
they know exactly when they have to be in the hall; and so too do spectators and press people.In
learning how to time-schedule (see Toms Idiot-Proof Time-SchedulingVol. XIII, Chap. 28,
423-25), start by thinking small. Be content to organize a one-day local tournament with five to ten
eventsRemember, players are committed to self-improvement and competition organizers should
be too.
***I note SPIN (Nov., 1985, 4) does give this accounting (under the large-lettered heading
LET! in bold black, followed by U.S. Open Co$tly:
The near final accounting of the 1985 U.S. Open shows the USTTA losing $27,671.31 in
producing the event.
Thus far, expenses total $106,552.72 offset by income of $78,881.41. The two largest
debits of the tournament were airfare for the Chinese team of $10,790.78 and the production costs
of the U.S. Open Program book at $9,175. (In a Report to the E.C., June 85 Minutes, Jay
Harris said that the Program was expected to lose $3,000-$5,000 because advertising promised
by local members was not produced. Still, when this money wasnt forthcoming, many would argue
that Harris and Boggan should have reduced the number of pages.
Rick Sullivan, from Aiken, S.C., in a belated Letter to the Editor (TTT, Jan.-Feb., 1986,
22) had this to say:
First of all I would like to commend Tim Boggan and tournament coordinators for a job
well done on the 1985 U.S. Open in Miami, Florida. As a rising amateur to the sport the 85 Open
was my first tournament and was thoroughly enjoyed. I was sorry to see that the financial status of
the Open went into the red. The $9,000 spent on the impressive but perhaps too elaborate Program
can understandably be justified. However, the $17,000 spent bringing the Chinese team warrants no
sympathy from me whatsoever. True, some benefitted, but can anyone tell me that they would not
have come anyway? Anybody will come for a free ticket. [Is this last sentence supposed to be an
answer to the question asked in the previous one?] I worked hard to earn my $500 to attend,
participate, and enjoy. If my way is paid for the 1986 Open Ill promise Ill be there. [Maybe your
way will be paid, and that of half a dozen of your friends too. Ill have to check you out, see what,
like the Chinese, you have to offer.]

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Chapter Eleven
1985: China Sweeps U.S. Open.

Before I turn you over to Tom Wintrich for his report on

the June 26-30 U.S. Open (SPIN, July-Aug., 1985, Cover+),
Im going to give you, first, the opening, then later, at Toms
finish, the closing Ive framed his report with.
Heres my Welcome I wrote for the U.S. Open Program
(p. 15):
To all those who have reached out to us to make this 1985
U.S. Open possibleto our major sponsors, Capital Bank,
Stiga, and Nittaku (and a thanks here, too, to Avis and Eastern
Airlines), to tournament organizers Dennis Masters, Bard
Brenner, and Jay Harris, and to all those hundreds if not
thousands of players and spectators whove supported us in our
Tim Boggan
exploratory move to Miami Beach, I offer youalong with a
winning smile, an outstretched racketmy hand, in welcome, in hope.
Yeah, Im feeling pretty good about this U.S. Capital Bank Open. And you know why?
Because I think this tournament will show to the table tennis worldto all our entries from Asia,
Europe, Africa, and the Americasthat, regardless of the cost in time, effort, and money, the
USTTA is from now on a sport force, one that, mindful of its ITTF and Olympic heritage, believes in
EXCELLENCE, insists on VALUE received. Its no accident that were playing at the Miami
Beach Convention Center, staying at the Miami Biscayne Bay Marriott, receiving the cooperation of
local city governments, being filmed by Channel 7, receiving for the first time commercial
sponsorships.
I hope everyone recognizes the improvements were trying to make, for its clear we need
the complementary support of a great many players and spectators for OUR sporttable tennis
to make it big. Its therefore very encouraging to me and a distinct honor (one always likes to see
his/her work appreciated) to welcome the inimitably exciting and glamorous Chinese; the
brightest stars in the firmament of all Europe, the spectacular Swedes; the ebullient U.S. Open Team
Champions, the justly proud Nigerians; and, from wherever one has roots, all those players, worldclass or just class, wholl entertain the exuberant spectators, many of whom spend their sporting
lives driving themselves to where the action is. These are my friendly, my competitive comrades in
arms. To themto YOUI extend my welcomethis little message of love and hope.
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Tom begins:
Neither current World Singles Mens or Womens Champion
won an individual title at the 1985 U.S. Open. Nevertheless China
finished first in all major events.
Cheng Yinghua, a righty shakehands player who might be
underrated at World #63, covered Chinas World Mens Singles
Champion Jiang Jialiangs semifinal loss to Defending Champion Wu
Wen-Chia of Chinese Taipei by defeating Wu in the final in straight games.
Pips-out penholder Li Huifen, World #44, upset Chinas twotime World Womens Singles Champion Cao Yanhua in their final, also
in straight games.
China won both the Mens and Womens Team eventswith
each final turning out to be an anticlimactic contest. There were,
however, earlier ties of interest to the spectators.

Tom Wintrich

Mens Teams
In the USAJiang Jialiang
China mens team
From Tischtennis
semifinal, the
Sport, Dec., 87
opening match
Eric Boggan
saw U.S. National
Photo by
Champion Eric
Robert Compton
Boggan electrify
the partisan crowd
with his first-game
defeat of Jiang
Jialiang. In the
second game, the
fans were in a
frenzy after Eric had gone up 20-19 match point. He then opened with a strong forehand loop to
J.J.s middle, a sure winnerexcept that Jiang instinctively returned it, and then hung on to deuce it
up. Again Eric went up match point when he smacked in a winner off an under-spin ball to his
backhand. Up now 21-20, Eric goes for another big forehand that just misses long and its doubtful
that had that one landed J.J. could have returned it. Deuce again. Eric continues to play the
aggressor but whiffs a forehand loop. In the games final point, Eric almost caught Jiang off guard
with a risky but perfectly executed fast deep serve to the backhand, but Jiang got it back, then won
the ensuing rally.
The fans continued cheering wildly in the third as Eric played dead even with the World
Champion. But down 18-17, Jiangs serve, Eric was to get only one more point when Jiang blocked
one of Erics loops long. Down 20-18 match point, Eric made a good save but it put him on the
floor and Jiang simply dropped the ball on the table for the win.
There was a collective murmur of disappointment from the crowd, but it quickly changed to
resounding applause in honor of Erics intense effort. Americas champ had made the home crowd
proud.
Danny Seemiller faced Cheng Yinghua in the second match and although he played well (18,
17), he couldnt combat the consistency of Cheng, a man whos backhand loop alone is strong
161

enough to challenge many world-class players. His touch isnt too bad either. At 20-17 in the
second game, Cheng masterfully surprised Dan with a short push that, catching him away from the
table, ended the match.
In the doubles, Dan and Eric, again exciting the crowd, extended Jiang/Cheng to 19 in the
thirdbut Cheng ended the tie when he ripped a backhand loop down the line.
Earlier, the U.S. had downed Canada
(Joe Ng and Horatio Pintea), 3-1, when Eric
won two and he and Danny took the doubles.
The Eastern Canada team of Zoran Kosanovic
and Alain Bourbonnais, before losing to the
Chinese, struggled 3-2 by Nigeria (Atanda
Musa, Francis Sule, and Yomi Bankole) when
Kosanovic won both his singles and he and
Alain won the doubles.
In the other semis, the composite
European team of George Bohm of West
Germany and Mariano Loukov of Bulgaria took
down the Swedish II team of Ulf Bengtsson and
Ulf (Tickan) Carlsson. It was a respectable
confrontation of European stars playing
European table tennis with one exception.
Loukov, Bulgarias #1 and world ranked #36, is
a righty penholder, but that doesnt stop him
from looping with his backhand. For that shot,
he pulls his thumb off the front of the racket and
Canadas Zoran Kosanovic
proceeds to loop like a shakehander. He does
this so fast and so effortlessly youd swear hes looping penhold-style until you really concentrate on
watching his stroke, or, more specifically, his right hand. So what he represents to his opponents is a
two-winged penhold looper. Not too many of those running around [but give the Chinese a few
years and there will be]. Of course, because of his unique style, the Bulgarian became a spectator
favorite.
Neither Loukov, unusual though he may be, nor Bohm, could take down European
Champion, World #26, Ulf Bengtsson, although each did extend him to three games. Carlsson,
however, proved the weak link. He lost a 24-22 in the third killer to Loukov, and though he was
currently the World Doubles Champion with another Swede, Mikael Appelgren, he lost the doubles
with Bengtsson, again at deuce in the third. Then, with the tie tied at 2-2, Tickan couldnt come
through, lost in straight games to World #47 Bohm, toughened by his defection from Romania to
West Germany.
Bohm and Loukov had certainly earned the right to play China. Theyd had to survive a
five-match tie against the Chinese Taipei Juniors, a high-school team whod later whip the U.S. in
junior singles competition. Then in the quarters, theyd knocked off Swedens #1 team, Erik Lindh,
World #10, and Jan-Ove Waldner, World #11, three zip.
Thus Bohm and Loukov eliminated the possibility of any hoped for China vs. Sweden final
(which is why Sweden had two teams on the opposite side of the draw from China). Nor would
there be a China-Chinese Taipei confrontation as had occurred just a week before in Alhambra, CA.
Sweden II took care of that when they downed Taipeis best team of Wu and Huang in the quarters.
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In the Team final,

Europe was of
course the
underdog. Bohm
thought he had a
good chance
against Cheng, but
he wasnt too
optimistic about his
or his teammates
chances against
Jiang. (Topspinners when
playing pips-out
hitters like Jiang
know theyre in for
George Bohm
Cheng Yinghua
trouble.) Bohm
From Deutschland Grand Prix Program, 1983 called it perfectly,
Photo by Mal Anderson
in that Jiang
disposed of both Loukov and Bohm, and paired with Cheng to take the doubles in three. But he
couldnt have predicted his own brilliant comeback against Cheng. Down 1-0 and 20-16 quadruple
match point with Cheng serving, Bohn ran four to deuce it, then was down a fifth match point before
finally winning the game 23-21. He went on, from 19-all in the third to take the match, largely
because he, too, has a superb backhand loop, as well as the talent to exchange topspin shots for as
long as necessary. Certainly this was one of the best matches in any event here in Miami Beach, and
the only exciting one in the Mens or Womens Team final.
Womens Teams
Cao Yanhua and Li Huifen, as expected, had little difficulty winning the Womens Team
event. They defeated Chinese Taipeis Lin Li-Zu/Chang Shu-Hwa, 3-1 in the final, having lost the
doubles, 18, 19. Their semis opponent, another composite European team, was made up of Sonja
Grefberg of Finland and Daniela Guergueltcheva of Bulgaria. Both of these women made it to the
semis of Womens Singles where, as you can guess, they met the same two Chinese that they were
blanked by in the Team event.
The closest
Julie Au
Diana Gee
Womens tie
Photo by
Robert Compton
occurred in the
other semifinal
match-up: USA
Is Julie Au and
Diana Gee vs.
Chinese Taipeis
Lin and Chang.
Julie lost the
opener in three to
Chang, but 16163

year-old Diana came right out and challenged the equally strong Lin. Diana lost the first at 19, but,
knowing she could have won that game, she determinedly hung on in the second to take it 23-21.
Then, in the third, it was Diana all the way, 21-10, and the California teenager was beaming proudly
as she exited the court.
USA lost the doubles, 2-0. But Julie followed with a straight-game win over Lin. Tie 2-2.
However, Diana wasnt able to beat Chuang and so the U.S. couldnt make the final. It was a
frustrating loss for our women who had played so well. Perhaps more frustrating, though, was the
fact that their tie was interrupted before the last match by the official opening ceremonies. These
were staged as scheduled despite the Womens Teams semis in progress, as well as numerous
other event matches. Worse yet was the opening ceremonies themselves, a very disorganized affair
featuring an embarrassing live a cappella rendition of the national anthem.* This U.S. Open was one
of the best Ive ever been to, but the salute to the participants is best forgotten.
Womens Singles
Li Huifen, 1983
Chinese National
Womens
Champion

Chinas Cao Yanhua, 1983, 1985

World Womens Champion

The All-Chinese Womens final was 1-2-3

over,
with the penhold pips-out hitting of Li
From English TT News, Oct., 84
Huifen dominating penhold looper Cao Yanhua
who not at her best back in the quarters had to go five to get by the Taipei #1, Lin Li-Zu. In China
its quite respectable for a World Champion to lose to a teammateespecially when that teammate
was the 1983 Chinese National Champion, the 1984 runner-upand Cao certainly showed all due
respect for Lis fine play. In the semifinals, however, Li encountered stiff opposition from World
#51 Daniela Guergueltcheva. The Bulgarian won the first two games and Li was hard-pressed to
win the next three. Daniela is a shakehands looper, capable of opening off either wing. She is
physically strong with good footwork and her main strategy was to attack relentlessly with topspin.
Also, her lobbing kept her in many rallies as inevitably her pips-out opponent would drive her off the
table. Most other women had no chance against Lis hits but Daniela could retreat quickly and arc
the ball back from deep in the court and quite often hold her own in the play.
The style differences helped create the best womens match of the tournament. Li had been
down 18-17 in the fifth with Daniela serving, but fought back with steady hitting to win 21-19.
Finlands Sonja Grefberg, World #49, took on Cao in the other semis. The lefty European
had game-point on the World Champion in the first, but couldnt win it. One last chance she had at
18-all in the third but couldnt bring that one in either.
U.S. Womens Champ Julie Au advanced further than her teammatesgot to the quarters
where she was stopped by Li. Julie, a lefty penholder with excellent high-toss serves,
164

played admirably against the eventual winner, taking the third game at deuce before falling short, 2117, in the fourth.
Although Diana Gee lost in the eighths to Grefberg, she demonstrated in three close games
that shes becoming increasingly competitive against world-ranked players. Coach Li Henan is
looking forward to working with her at Colorado Springs in the upcoming Resident Training
Program and is not concerned with any of her losses. As Coach Li says, Diana is simply
inexperienced compared to her international opponents. But thats just a normal and temporary
situation for an improving young player like Diana.
Womens Doubles
No surprise that Chinas Cao/Li dominated the Womens Doubles. Runner-ups were
Bulgarias Guergeltcheva/Swedens Kamilla Bjork who, after stopping the Gee sisters, 21, 15,
downed the Swedish/Finland combo of Sonia Wredberg/Grefberg whod earlier been -16, 19, 17
extended by Vicky/Jasmine.
Mens Singles

Chinese Taipeis Wu Wen-Chia

Chinese World Champion Jiang Jialiang

From 1991 Chiba Worlds Program

The players various struggles to reach the final were far more exciting than the concluding
match itself. Defending U.S. Open Champ Wu Wen-Chia of Chinese Taipei, who advanced to the
final, knocked off World Champion Jiang in the semis in four games. Wu held nothing back, playing
with a controlled ferocity that frustrated the World Champion but delighted the spectators. No other
player at this Open came close to equaling Wus performance during that Singles match.
The lasting image of right-handed Wu was his forehand looping off his backhand.
Repeatedly he darted left to cover his extreme backhand and although he was leaving his forehand
court wide open, he was able to score continuously with this ploy. It was thrilling to see the sure
quickness of his footwork and the speed of his loops, especially the ones he ripped down the line
165

while parallel to the side of the table. Often he recovered fast enough to meet the inevitable return to
his forehand. Be assured, though, that Jiang counter-hit many of those topspin bullets for outright
winners to the open court. But Wu could afford to take his chances. He played as fast as Jiang did
and just as consistently. In the end it was Wus intensity of play that made the difference, and even
Jiang admitted that Wus aggressiveness is what did him in.
An interesting side note to Wus victory is that news of his success sped nationally through
the grapevine. Taiwanese students at the University of New Mexico were boasting of their
countrymans win over the World Champion within two days and not a single reference to it had
appeared in the Albuquerque media.
Nigerias Atanda Musa
From Butterfly TT
Report, Feb., 81

Swedens
Jan-Ove Waldner

Nigerian Champion Musa, after winning the key third game at deuce, defeated Loukov in
five, while Waldner came back from two games down to Taipeis Huang. That set up a memorable
Musa-Waldner quarters. Musa won that marvelous tribute to forehand and backhand topspin, but
not without a five-game struggle against the man they call Mr. Finesse. Waldner is the Swede to
watch as there seems nothing he cant do with the ball from anywhere in the court. His repertoire of
shots seems unlimited. Indeed, he seems to invent new ways of returning the ball on the spur of the
moment. Curiously, Waldner displays no intensity through his matches. In fact, he appears to be
playing in a daze, an assessment his fellow Swedes acknowledge. But play he can and Waldner
alone may have been reason enough for USTTA members to come to this Open. Still, Musa took
him down to move on to his losing semifinal effort against Cheng.
A similar match to Musa-Waldner was Chengs defeat of European Champion Ulf
Bengtsson in the eighths. Actually, all the Swedes can be considered as shot-magicians who
thoroughly enjoy exhibiting their tricks for the spectators benefit. Too much so perhaps, as playing
spectacular long points seem more important to them than actually winning the points. The Chinese
of course like to end the rallies quickly and thats what Cheng concentrated on doing, after he lost
the first two games, against Bengtsson. He won game three at 18 and then shut out the Swede 11
and 11. Forget the scores, though, they dont reflect the excitement of righty shakehander vs. lefty
shakehander countering spinny shots from all over the court. And when theres a Swede in the
match you can bet on seeing plenty of lobs.
Eric Boggan was the only American to advance to the eights and beyond. After eliminating
Mario Alvarez of the Dominican Republic in straight games he moved on to the quarters for his shot
at Cheng, who he didnt get to play during the Team competition. Eric played as aggressively as he
did against Jiang earlier, but Chengs consistency off either wing was tougher to combat than the
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Cheng Yinghua
Photo by Stan Talifero

Eric Boggan

predominately forehand play of Jiang. Also, Cheng

coped with Erics anti betterwould often loop the
dead balls, whereas Jiang had been trying to hit them. Neither shot is easy given Erics talent with
anti, but without topspin its tougher for a hitter to clear the net than a looper. Eric took game two,
but that was it.
Woe for Wu in the final. He had just played his heart out an hour earlier in the semis, and
now was back on court for the Championship. He lacked the indomitable spirit he had against Jiang,
and Cheng could more easily counter his topspins. Wu just couldnt get through the guy often
enough and lost in straight games.
Photo by Mal Anderson

Mens Doubles
Neither the Swedes Bengtsson/Carlsson in the semis or Waldner/Lindh in the final could
make a match of it with Chinas overpowering Jiang/Cheng. However, Waldner/Lindh did have to
work to advancefirst squeaking by Chinas Geng Zhen/Loukov,-12, 20, 18, then with barely
more breathing room, 14, -14, 18, over Taipeis Wu/Huang. USAs Boggan/Seemiller fell 18, 22 in
the quarters to Bengtsson/Carlsson.
Mixed Doubles
Perhaps the Mixed Doubles final between
the Chinese was an exhibition? Jiang/Cao
narrowly won the title over Cheng/Li, 18, -18,
19. U.S. pairs didnt make the quarters.
Rating Events
Sean ONeill ended up Champion of the
U.S. Open rating events. In the Under 2500
Singles, he downed lefty Quang Bui in the finals,
rallying, after losing the first at deuce, to win in
167

Sean ONeill

three. In the semis, he knocked off Scott Boggan, losing the first game at deuce, then perilously
winning the second at deuce, before 21-14 taking command in the third. In the quarters, Sean
stopped Perus Walter Nathan two straight.
In the 2350s, Scott Butler survived Floridas Dennis Brown, -8, 19, 17, in the quarters.
then moved on to an easy win over runner-up Avishy Schmidt. Brown came up short again in the U2200s, losing in the final to Barry Dattel after Barry had slipped by Ron Rigo deuce in the third.
The U-2100s produced an all-Canada battle-of-the-sexes finalwith Richard Chin defeating
Thanh Mach. In the companion U-2100s a woman did win: Takako Trenholme might have lost this
Womens U-2100s to Olga Soltesz, but 20, -16, 12 didnt; then in the final she easily defeated
Ulrika Quist from Swedens Angby Club. U-4100 Doubles: John Shareshian/Jeff Steif couldnt have
had it 10, 7 easier over John Elliott/Ron Rigo whod outlasted Canadians Thanh Mach/Becky
McKnight, 14, -7, 20.
Other Rating results: U-2000s: Stephen Yeh over Larry Hodges (whose rating had
plummeted with arm problems), deuce in the fourth. U-1900s: Terrence Ide over Chuck Turchick,
then over Trieu Chieu, 17, 19. U-1800s: Roman Teller 19, 17 over Anthony Streutker whod
outlasted William Humphrey, 15, -19, 22. U-1700s: Hung Pham over Angel Soltero 16, -21, 19,
then over Tryg Truelson, 11, 18, after Tryg had advanced by Pauly Guenter, -22, 24, 13. U-1700
Womens: Barbara Kaminsky over Yvonne Kronlage, 8, 15. U-3400 Doubles: Larry Hodges/Jeff
Harris over Thor Truelson/Guenther Schroeder, 12, 16. U-1600s: Alan Kwong over Darren
Green, 19, 19. U-1500s: Erich Haring over Michal Reterski, -19, 21, 16, after Michael had halted
Andre Lius advance, 20, 20. U-1400s: Janine Schroeder over Liu, -17, 19, 18. U-2700 Doubles:
Terry Canup/Bob Canup over Gene Bricker/Greg Galbreath, 17, -22, 19. U-1300s: Damir Kadija
over Michael Christy, -21, 18, 22. U-1150s: Medaro Espinosa over Mitchell Brenner, 17, 21. U1000s: Nilesh Narotam over Freddy Urrego, 15, 9.
Wheelchair Singles
R.R. 1. Mike Dempsey,
2-0. 2. Terese Terranova, 1-1.
Hard Rubber
Lim Ming Chui, 16, 16,
over Tim Boggan whod
eliminated Homer Brown in
three.

Mike Dempsey
Photo by Nancy Benjamin

Over 30 Through 70 Events

Over 30s: L-M Chui
over David Sakai, -21, 11, 17.
Over 40s: El Salvadors Wang
Shan Wu over Bohdan
Dawidowicz, 7, 14. Over 40
Doubles: Dawidowicz/Houshang
Bozorgzadeh over Boggan/
Derek Wall, -19, 20, 23. Over
40 U-1900s: El Salvadors
Melecio Rivera 13, 21 over
168

Terese Terranova
Photo by Mal Anderson

George Rocker after George had downed Norm Schless, 23, -21, 9.
As I write in 2013, Rivera is the South American representative on
the ITTF Executive Board. Over 40 Womens: Huang Chin-Hao
over Yvonne Kronlage, 3, 13. Over 40 U-1600s: Michael Reterski
over Harvey Meyer, 14, 15. Over 50s: Bill Sharpe over Boggan, 17,
20. Over 50 Doubles: Jack Buddy Melamed/Rune Forsberg over
Boggan/George Hendry, -21, 17, 17. Over 55s: Forsberg over
Festus Mead, 10, 13. Over 60s: Forsberg over Harry Deschamps,
14, 13. Over 65s: John White over Rocker, def. Over 70s: Laszlo
Bellak over George Sempeles, 8, 6. Over 75s: R.R. 1.Ulpiano
Santo, 2-0. 2. Stan Morest, 1-1. 3. John McLennan, 0-2.
U-21s/Junior Boys
Seans 2500 win was only partial testimony to his
exceptional performance at this exceptional Open. In all, he played
17 matches and won 11 of them, splitting with Nathan and Bau Peng
Leu of Chinese Taipei, winner of Boys U-15 over Jimmy Butler, 20,

Sean ONeill

George Rocker
Photo by Bruce Wong

Erik Lindh

Photo by Mal Anderson

17, and runner-up in Boys U-17 to Sheng-Chin Ferng, also of Chinese Taipei. Topping the list of
ONeills win column was Swedens National Champion and World #10 Erik Lindh. This, the
biggest upset of Seans career, occurred in the quarters of the Under 21s, an event not much
weaker (with Wu, Waldner, Huang, Ng, and Teekaveerakit in the draw) than the Open Singles.
Sean toppled Lindh in straight games, primarily because hes no longer playing as soft a
game as he used to. His shots are more powerful, his selection is better, and hes more consistent
overall. Add those factors to his power of concentration and increasing self-confidence, and its
really no surprise that he beat a player of Lindhs caliber. Wu, after downing Sean, 17, 13 in the
semis, would go on to win these 21s, 18 in the third, over Waldner who in his semis had just
gotten by Chinese Taipeis Huang Huei-Chieh, 24, -16, 21.
Along with their mens and womens teams, Chinese Taipei brought a high school team that
obviously plays Junior T.T. on an international level. In addition, to winning the Boys U-17 and U15 Singles as Id mentioned above, they also took the Boys U-13 when Kuo-Ching Shu defeated
169

Canadas Johnny Ng whod advanced over our Chi-Sun Chui, 21, 17, 18. Quite strikingly, young Shu paired with Leu to win not
only the U-15 Doubles but the U-17 Doubles as well, downing in
the semis ONeill/Gene Lonnon, then, in a furious -21, 19, 18
final, Scott and Jimmy Butler, a loss that Jimmy solitarily sulked
over from high atop the spectator stands. [Young Butler couldnt
have been too happy either with his U-17 loss to Canadas U-15
National Champion Peter Ng.] The U-13 Doubles, which Dhiren
Narotam/Todd Sweeris won, after splitting two deuce games, in
three over Chi-Sun Chui and Eric Owens, drew an appreciative
crowd. Chi-Sun won the U-11s over Eric, who in turn took the
U-9s from Randy Cohen.
Junior Girls

Canadas Peter Ng
From OTTA Update, Summer, 85

Li Ai

Vicky Wong bested the

predominately American field in the
Under 17s. In the final, she defeated Jasmine Wang three straight.
Vicky had scored big in the semis with a surprisingly easy 12, 13
win over Diana Gee. Jasmine reached the final by downing Lisa
Gee, 15, -14, 17, then Chinese Taipeis Mei-Jen Huang, 16, -13,
15. The Gees balanced some by winning the U-17 Doubles from
Vicky/Jasmine in three. In both the Girls U-15 and U-13, Ecuadors
Maria Cabrera eked out wins over Li Ai, 19, 20, and -14, 23, 14.

Sitting on the Dock of a Bay

By Saturday evening, most of the events had been completed, including the Mens and
Womens Singles and the Womens Doubles. Sundays action would feature the Teams, Mens
Doubles, and the final of the Mixed. As for now, it was what the Olympic Training Centers sponsor
would
callMiller
Time.
The
venue for the
Biscayne Bay
Marriott Hotel
and Marinas
complimentary
party was their
outdoor caf
located on the
Bays mainland
edge just inches
from the marinas
slips filled with
boats gently
rocking in the
Miami at night
170

harbor. It was a perfect balmy summer evening and the international gathering of tournament players
was sporting its social civiesdrinking drinks, munching hors doeuvres, and forever talking T.T.
Naturally, a frequent topic of discussion was the tournament itself.
The main debate was whether this was the best Open ever, or just one of the best. All
agreed it was at least the latter. As one philosophical type suggested, Just leave it at thatits far
more important to strive for the best than actually attain it.
The 1985 edition was a U.S. Open with heart Why?
Because the people running it had given so much of themselves
for other peoples enjoyment. There was a collective
consciousness working toward the success of this event,** and
the effort it produce revealed a significantly more united USTTA.
Many people deserve recognition for their commitment of time
and energy, but two people in particular stand out. Thanks
Dennis Masters and Dan Simon.
If you didnt make this 85 Open, well, you missed the
best one ever, but hopefully after next year 85 will rank second.
I close Toms Report with an In Appreciation Letter
I wrote to Chinese TTA President Xu Yinsheng on Sunday,
June 30, the last day of the tournament:

Long-time Miami tournament

supporters Marv and Caron Leff

Dear Xu Yinsheng:
It was wonderful for U.S. Table Tennis that the Chinese could play in Los Angeles, Miami,
and New York [I have no record now of them playing in New York]and that it all could have
been done so cooperatively, and in so short a time.
Its Sunday morning and the Open still has its final day to gobut the publicity, the
attendance, has been, by U.S. expectations, very, very good. The most encouraging thing to me is
the cheering applause thats often greeted point after point of play. The spectator enthusiasm proves
to me that, in the U.S. or anywhere, the modern game can be, IS, excitingboth to aficionados and
the people off the street. Clearly the game has POTENTIAL.
This Open may be the most expensive one in USTTA historybut I think its well worth it.
The U.S. must upgrade the IMAGE of Table Tennis, must make the sport, even as we go about
grass-roots popularizing play, a glamour sport played in CLASS surroundings. People must come to
see the international expertise and appeal of the sport.
I want to work with you, Xu, your Association, Chinato make Table Tennis come alive in
this country. I appreciate the complete cooperation youve so freely given, the common-goal
discipline, dedication, and friendliness of the Team members youve sent here this summer, and the
efforts of the very, very helpful liaison figures Liguo and Henan Ai.
This little letter to you, then, is one that expresses more than polite thanksit expresses
what I know a duty-minded man does not absolutely need but what gives him more and more inner
strength. This letterand this is my support message to youexpresses HOPE in the future of
Table Tennisnot just in this country but in the world.
Again, I thank you for encouraging us.
Sincerely,
Tim Boggan
USTTA President
171

Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and

ITTF President Xu Yinsheng

SELECTED NOTES.
*Regarding the national
anthem sung at the U.S.
Open, Little Rocks Mary
Vancura (Paul Vancuras
wife) had this to say in a
Letter to the Editor (SPIN,
July-Aug., 1985, 4):
I am a table tennis
spectator. I have watched
more matches that most
players ever play. But I wish
I had not watched the
opening ceremony of the
U.S. Open in Miami. For I
was embarrassed beyond
telling.
A local performer
slaughtered The StarSpangled Banner before
world-class competition from
many countries in our own
USA. He sang it as if hed
never heard the song before,
as if he couldnt even read
the words from the paper in
his hand. On purpose? Is this
his act? What a shoddy show
for the players representing
that banner!
Treat table tennis with class,
or dont have a tournament at
all.

**It was as if the heavens,

too, joined in this collective consciousness that would contribute to the Opens success. Heres Jim
Tinder (SPIN, Nov., 1985, 4) with his U.S. Open UFO Explained:
Those who attended the Players Party at the 85 U.S. Open in Miami Beach may be
curious about the astronomical display that occurred during the gathering.
The sighting was reported by the Southern Cross Astronomical Society and was followed
by civilian reports of a UFO. At approximately 9 p.m., an Atlas Centauri rocket raced across the
Northeast sky with illuminated shock waves around the nose cone and a trail of white vapor. The
second stage separated just before it was lost from view.
The display caught everyone by surprise at the outdoor buffet and was a beauty to behold.
The illumination was visible for only a few minutes.
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Chapter Twelve
1985: E.C. Interests.
USTTA Secretary Rufford Harrison did a very good job detailing the Minutes from the June
E.C. Meeting at the Biscayne Bay Marriott in Miami. Here are items of more than routine interest:
Headquarters Expense: SPIN Editor Tom Wintrich and Headquarters Office Manager
Emily Cale had requested raises. It was agreed that their performance should be judged and
reported on by a special committee (Boggan, Eisner, and Seemiller), and that if the EC were to
agree on a raise it should be retroactive to July.
Wintrich was requested to publish a tournament calendar arranged chronologically,
coordinating U.S. events with those overseas. Whos going to be where? When? Whos available?
Ah, an admirable suggestion: Clubs no longer waiting to schedule their tournamentsplayers
committing. This would work well locally with Perry Schwartzbergs idea of USTTA/Club-funded
set-up teams operating out of barn-storming, sponsor-painted vans, with salaried player/coaches
capable of transporting tables, barriers, portable floor, tapes, scorecards, umpires jackets, and
trained to do school exhibitions and work with the media. Could it happen?
[Wiggys. A new slickcover t.t. magazine, edited by
Minneapolis teenager Scott Bakke,
is being put togethercircular
coming Sept. 4; introductory issue,
Sept. 25.]
Committee Chairs: Ratings Chair Dan Simon proposed
that the sanctioning of all tournaments now handled by the
Regional Directors be transferred to Headquarters. It was agreed
that all tournaments two stars and below will now be sanctioned by USTTA
HeadquartersDirectors, please send sanction forms directly to Colorado
Springs. Tournaments three-star and higher will be sanctioned by National
Tournament Director Andy Gad.
Simon notes that, although both the U.S. and Canada now publish
conversion charts, some CTTA members also had US ratings obtained from
actual play. Dan said that he always used the higher of the two available
numbers. He planned to rate the upcoming Toronto CNE Championships
but not on Team appearance, since at the moment the USTTA doesnt have
Dan Simon
uniforms for its players. Neither the CTTA nor the OTTA provide hospitality
at these Championships, but if they could provide some assistance to dress up the International
Team matches, up to $1,000 could be budgeted on the U.S. side.
Mal Anderson remains as Rules Chair. But Barry Margolius replaces Mal as Nominating
Chair, and Robert Compton replaces Mal as Photography Chair. The E.C. had agreed that the
number of photographers at the top four tables at the U.S. Open should be limited by means of a fee.
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Tom Miller succeeds Manny Moskowitz, who resigned as Umpires Chair, and, as a goingaway gift, received an encomium of admiration in SPIN from Paul Vancura.
It had been agreed that at the U.S. Open the Point-Penalty Rule would be in effectbut
just among the very good players starring in the arena and enforced only by national and
international umpires. The following penalties were decided on: (1) Warning (first offense). (2) Loss
of Point (second offense). 3. Loss of game (third offense). (4) Loss of Match/Mandatory Report to
Disciplinary Chair. The Umpires Committee was to take up the suggestion that national and
international umpires, after successfully reaching these grades, be observed in action by two peers
and one top international player.
Waugh and Associates in recently auditing our Associations books commented that (1) we
didnt have much long-range planning (but prior to our windfall that was understandable); that (2)
weve improved internal control (now covered by a fidelity bond); that (3) we have better record
retention but still need a good business-report format; that (4) we must use Expense Reports; and
that (5) we must spend much more money on a professional Public Relations program and
Fund Raising in order to at least try to get greater recognition for table tennis.
Television Chair Gary Ruderman had proposed the
development of promo films and tapes, and had requested a
USTTA commitment. It was felt, however, that not enough of
his work had been seen. It was agreed to attempt [sic] to
budget $4,000 for a one-minute promo tape.
After the Worlds, Gary makes the following points
in a Letter to the Editor (SPIN, July-Aug., 1985, 4):
I know you share my enthusiasm for table tennis,
and recognize the need for an expanded public relations
program. You are doing your part with SPIN and I hope to
be able to contribute as USTTA Television Chairman.
There is a market for table tennis in the U.S. That
is evident from the audiences at Alhambra for the China/
Chinese Taipei matches and at the U.S. Open in Miami.
Television Chair Gary Ruderman
There has also been much interest in the videotapes I have
produced of the 1985 World Championships.
Along those lines, Id like to advise all those who have been interested in purchasing
U.S. Open tapes that they will not be available this year. The need to cover my expenses
forced me to accept the Taiwan teams offer to tape their matches for Taiwan television. I hope
in the future to work out arrangements acceptable to the USTTA
Board so that the minimum funds necessary will be allocated to
allow for professional coverage of major tournaments.
All other sports that have become popular and financially
productive to the competitors have done so as a result of television
exposure, and I strongly believe that increased financial priority must
be given to promoting table tennis via television.

Dave Strang

Dave Strang, who continues as Chair of the Film Committee,

responds (SPIN, Sept., 1985, 4) to Rudermans article above:
174

175

I am writing to correct the false impression created by Gary Ruderman in his letter in last
months SPIN that videotapes of the 85 U.S. Open will not be available because the USTTA did
not choose to pay Gary to produce videotapes in Miami.
The truth is that the USTTA Film Committee has produced many hours (USA vs. China,
Europe vs. China, Europe vs. Sweden, Open Singles matches) of the 85 Open which will be
available for rental or purchase by USTTA members. I spent many hours editing these tapes and I
believe that they are among the best made to date.
These new tapes, along with nine other tapes previously available through Kent State
University (KSU) Audio-Visual Service, will now be available to USTTA members directly from
USTTA Headquarters, since Headquarters will soon take over the rental program. The Film
Committee is also pleased to announce that thanks to new equipment purchased we are now able to
make all files available in Beta as well as VHS format.
I believe the USTTA showed wisdom in not unnecessarily giving Gary the thousands of
dollars requested by him to videotape the tournaments when I, representing the Films Committee,
had already made arrangements to videotape the tournament, including portions of it in 3/4
industrial grade videotape, for a cost of only a few hundred dollarsnot thousands.
Gary Ruderman has produced some good videotapes which he is selling at a reasonable
price. From my conversations with him, he seems to be honest and dedicated. However, I must set
the record straight and correct the error of his statement that 85 U.S. Open tapes are not available
and that the USTTA was somehow negligent to this instance. Nothing could be further from the
truth. I hope that in the future he will be more careful in his statements and that the editor of SPIN
will contact the appropriate USTTA officials before printing misleading information in the official
publication.
Ruderman responds (SPIN, Nov., 1985, 4):
I dont want to belabor the issue, but I feel it necessary to correct the impression left by
David Strangs letter in the 85 Sept. SPIN. In my original letter to SPIN (85 July-Aug.), I
intended only to advise those who had inquired as to when my tapes of the U.S. Open would be
ready, that, due to certain circumstances, I would have none for sale. I apologize if my statements
were misleading in any way.
I must commend Mr. Strang and other volunteers for their dedication in maintaining a film
and video library and for providing the video coverage they have. We need to do more, however, if
table tennis is ever to achieve recognition as the exciting and challenging sport that it is. We can no
longer depend just on volunteers using VHS or borrowed commercial equipment if we are to
provide professional-level footage acceptable for promotional or broadcast purposes.
It was suggested that I had asked the USTTA for an exorbitant amount to produce video
coverage of the Open. Actually, I had been asked, as television chairman, to submit a committee
budget for this purpose. I submitted several alternatives, including one, the last, in which I offered to
contribute, at no cost to the USTTA, the use of professional equipment plus my services and those
of a crew member, with the USTTA covering only our minimum out-of-pocket expenses. A good
portion of those expenses would have been reimbursed from tape sales.
This is the time for all of us to work together to promote table tennis. The Los Angeles
Times, in reporting on the National Sports Festival, stated that the biggest surprise of the Festival
was that table tennis is an exciting spectator sport. It has been proven with other sports that
television coverage is the key to attracting sponsors and new players. It would be blatant false
economy not to take advantage of the leverage the 88 Olympics gives us to gain media exposure
for our sport. If we dont do this now, we might regret it forever.
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Meanwhile, I have to say that Dick Miles tells me that ABC is definitely not going to air the
Wide World of Sports TV show from the Gothenburg World Championships. They just dont think
its interesting enough. Dick says that, without just the right kind of players, the right matches
(preferably with a defensive player), the Sport is impossible to showcase. Spin is killing the game.
Serve and follow is killing the game. Attack of serve is killing the game. Players errors, quick
errorsthats killing the game. Why dont we have a major tournament with good prize money
but outlaw smooth rubber? Dick wants either to turn back the clock or turn it ahead. Its about time
the U.S. took the lead in World Table Tennis to bring back spectators.
Dr. Michael Scott, as Sports Medicine Chair, remains ready to
provide readers with health-related articles. Here, for example (SPIN,
Mar., 1985, 20), hes talking about Overtraining:
Overtraining, the point where too much training puts the athlete over
his (or her) peak, can leave him below strength for a long period of time.
Symptoms of overtraining are
depression, insomnia, anorexia, and
weight loss. Injuries may follow these
signs. When the symptoms occur, coaches
Dr. Michael Scott
and physicians should maintain close,
continued observations of the athlete.
In order to prevent illness and injury as a result of
overtraining, the following signs should be observed:
1.
Afternoon post-workout weight is below normal.
2.
Evening fluid intake is greater than normal.
3.
The athlete is going to bed later than usual or is sleeping less than normal.
4.
The morning heart rate increases around five beats per minute.
Preventive measures include having good communication between coach and athlete,
training in a logical progression, and conducting mood profiles.
Wed like Dr. Scott to be our liaison in the USOC Drug Control Program. But the Doping
Agreement between the USOC and the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) was rejectednot by the
USTTA but by 25/40 NGBs. Hence our agreement will most certainly be declared null and void, and
well have to sign a new one (Basketball says they wont sign any such agreement). NGBs didnt want
results of tests disclosed to the media. They wanted to represent, wanted to protect, their athletes.
1985 U.S. Closed Championships: Three Las Vegas venuesCaesars Palace, The
Tropicana, and The Showboatwere being considered for the
1985 U.S. Closed. Back on May 30, I sent to my E.C. the
following appraisal of the three hotels:
Caesars $38-a-room-for-two offer was good only for
the Wed.-Sun. just before Christmas. The playing venue is not
nearly as large as The Trops, so, concerned as we are about
appearance and aisle-way mobility, its unlikely that we could
use more than 32 tables there. Of course we could have no
finer liaison with management than Neil Smyth, and if we had
any problems hed quickly be on the scene to help us. Clearly
Caesars Executive Neil Smyth
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Caesars hole card is that were being offered, as something of a favor really (for how much have
we to offer them?), Caesars NAMEfor its undoubtedly the classiest hotel on The Strip.
The Trops $28-a-room-for-two offer was also good only
for the Wed.-Sun. before Christmas. The timings bad here, though,
because this specific weekend follows the Rodeowhich means
that the dirt venue used by the cowboys will become the inevitably
dusty t.t. arena. Improvements in the appearance of the Trop are
already obvious and when construction is finished (by Jan., 1986?)
it will unquestionably be one of the top three hotels in Vegas.
The Showboats $17-a-room-for-two offer was good for
the Thurs.-Sun Rodeo weekend (with the tight tournament schedule, a four-nights stay was likely
there too). Advantages are: were provided with 5 two-night certificates that can be given out as
advertisement awards at our tournament; up-to-8:00 p.m. bus service free out to The Strip and
back (but wouldnt it be after 8:00 when players would still likely want to avail themselves of such
hopefully reliable service?); use of bowling lanes for a USTTA-sponsored bowling tournament (the
best warm-up for table tennis play?); a three-hour smash of a cocktail party with hors doeuvres
and FREE drinks; and, most importantly perhaps, its already set up TV platform for boxing and
wrestling events that are periodically held in the arena where wed be having our tournament.
Perhaps Steve Waldman, the very likeable and cooperative Sales Manager of The Showboat, could
be of some influence in getting ESPN to film our Nationals?
IF we could get ESPN I would certainly go where that
takes us. But I must say you get what you pay for. When I saw
this Showboat hotel, in an isolated downtown area (it features
110 bowling lanes), when I went in and looked around, I was
personally mortified to think that, under my proud presidency, I
might have to bring the U.S. National Championships to this
venue. Its just not class. People know what theyre getting for $38-a-double at Caesars (and can
cheerfully take pot luck elsewhere if they so choose), but people dont know what theyre getting
for $17-a-double at The Showboat, and if they dont like it, theyll start their tournament off with
bad vibes, the more so if they decide they have to move.
Early in the Meeting, the E.C. agreed to accept The Showboat (favored by Mel Eisner), but
then a reconsideration occurred. When Harold Kopper, unsolicited by me, vehemently echoed for
himself and Im sure at least some part of the Southern California Association my own feelings and
those of Stan Robens, Howie Grossman, George Weissberg, and who knows how many other
players, I had to ask the E.C. to reconsider their vote. I then went to Neil Smyth at Caesars and
found him receptive to making a goodwill move toward us to prove that, contrary to what some
thought, he certainly did want the tournament, and made a $2,500-$3,000 prize money move
toward us dependent on projected room nights. Thus, at the next E.C. Meeting in September at
Lake Placid, NY, Caesars Palace would be chosen. Mel and I had exchanged views on the venue
following his three-page caring and helpful June 1 letter to me, but I rejected his cost-conscious
arguments that favored The Showboat. Heres what I later wrote to Mel, copies to the E.C.:
Mel, with regard to the different Vegas hotel costs, what the hell are we talking about?
Were talking only $22 a person more total for a 5-day, 4-night stay at the Trop rather than The
Showboat or $42 a person more total at Caesars. This IS a small itemespecially since Ive seen
the quality of the three places and you havent. Im telling everyone: there would be mass
unhappiness if we went to The Showboat. Many players would just be unprepared for the isolation,
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the drabness, the dirtiness of this hotel. And, dammit, it would be ME ultimately, not Mel, not
anybody else, who would have to bear the heavy burden of the criticism.
Mel says that from The Showboat the whole town is easily available. Yeah? Not if one is
worried about saving a few dollars. For such a person nothing is accessible. Be realistic. The Strip
is 15-20 minutes away by cab. How much, back and forth, is that going to cost? Its even a cab
ride to the Golden Nugget downtown. And people will want to leave that drab, dirty hotel, and they
WILL leave (whether theres a timely bus to take them to the place they want to go or not).
Between the Trop and the Showboat were talking per person $5.50 a night, less if there are three
in a room; between Caesars and The Showboat were talking $10.50 a night: $5, $10a bet or
two for practically anybody who goes to Vegas. To say, among the three, The Showboat wins
hands down is to be a very suspect poker player.
Seemiller as Lake Placid Coach/Administrator: Seemiller proposed that he be hired as
a coach/administrator at a salary of $10,000 for nine months to establish a training camp for elite
players at Lake Placid, and that up to eight players in residence there be given expenses of $100
per month. (Danny feels that the Colorado Springs RTP ought to be youth-oriented, and that the
Lake Placid RTP ought to be for USA Team members.) While the E.C. was receptive to this
proposal, it had to have a three-month trial run and be assessed at our Dec. E.C. Meeting. Why?
Because we have a bylaw prohibiting USTTA employees who are making more than $1,000 a year
from serving on the E.C. and Danny is a V.P. Since SPIN wont be giving us any info for a while as
to whats going on at Lake Placid {why not?], well have to wait and see what Dannys plans will be.
Budget: If Olympics Games Preparations Funds become available at the rate of $12,000/
year, as expected, they should be allocated to a branch of the Resident Training Program at Lake
Placid, aimed specifically at the 1988 Olympics. The Resident Athletes Committee was requested to
consider administration of the Program, particularly with respect to equal treatment of male and
female players. Seemiller to be the coach at Lake Placid, and therefore to be a member of the
committee.
Slide Projector: A slide projector to be purchased for $300-$400, for use in the coaching
program. Funds also to be allocated for a display booth that can be moved from site to site.
Our Treasurer Lyle Thiem continues to negotiate with the Melia travel
agency. You recall their announcement: The USTTAs partnership with Melia is a
simple business deal that will be worth thousands of dollars [to the USTTA] in
annual funding. Apparently they have almost no record of any table tennis
player using their services. Lyle says he can prove theyre wrong, so were
certainly not going to pay them what they want.Or are we? Later, Lyle writes,
It looks like well soon have to pay Melia $2,252. Were getting screwed out of
some commission, but we cant prove it.
Christian Lillieroos: Christian to be employed as a coach/administrator,
reporting to Boggan to work with local areas, up to $6,000 to be provided by
the USTTA for his services if needed. On June 14, Id written the following follow-up letter
regarding Christian to the E.C. and other interested parties:
I remind everyone again that Id like to hire Christian Lillieroosnot just as a coach but as
a table tennis administrator. I want to base him in Westfield, N.J., or Indianapolis, or Oklahoma
City, or Sacramento, or perhaps even at the new Training Center in Anderson, S.C.somewhere.
179

Coach Christian Lillieroos at work

You remember that Christian, 25, is not

only the highest level Swedish coach there is, but
that he is also running one of only two table tennis
high schools in all of Sweden. (A student goes to a
high school where he gets his regular diploma in
normal subjects but also, because of administrative
cooperation, he gets in 10 or more t.t. practice
periods per week in the school gymnasium.)
Christian, youll recall, coached Swedens
8-member Team at the World Wheelchair
Championships in Stoke, England.
He was the Administrator, then President,
for a club of 400 members (his duties included
running tournaments and tours). He worked
countless hours as a Coach in Swedens junior
high schools, and organized and ran several
schools for beginners. Also, at another club in
Swedena club of 1100 membersChristian
alone was responsible for the education of their 15
coaches.
You know, too, finally, that Christian has
been highly recommended by Nisse Sandberg,
who is most anxious to see table tennis make it in

the States.
Lets care about this man, O.K.? Lets find him a place.

Ai
uo
Lig

Liguo Ai: Liguo to be employed at a salary of not more than $6,000 to

work on specific projects, including the writing of coaching articles, and the
training of coaches, as directed by Boggan.
Here are a few excerpts Ive selected from What Should You Learn
First? the latest article (SPIN, July-Aug., 1985, 15) by Liguo and his wife Li
Henan:
Coaching is a very enjoyable job as you never feel bored since each day
brings something new. When you see your player is going to be a local,
national, or even world star, you will feel that life is wonderful, full of hope

and excitement.
On the other hand, coaching is not an easy job by any means. You can receive many
complaints and easily get fired by your employer if youre a professional, or by your player(s) if
youre an amateur. When you see your student playing clumsily and you cant help, it is a most
miserable moment. Sitting or standing there, you feel your heart is heavy and you cant imagine it is a
bright sunny day outside.
[The Ais recognize that if youre going to compete in a sport you certainly have to learn to
play to winthough theyve seen the exception.] In China, during the Cultural Revolution, some
officials abolished scoring from all sports competition, saying the scoring makes the players fight
each other, which goes against the principle of Friendship first, competition second. Instead, they
enforced a new rule, asking players to compete in keeping their bedrooms clean, being polite,
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helping cook, and so on. It looked very nice, but the result was not desirable for most people.
Why? Because there was not going to be sports any more. So the revolution failed in spite of all
the nice behavior.
[The Ais then go on to another part of learning.] We dont like misbehavior in sport and we
think its the coachs duty to instill sportsmanship in the players. We dont think theres any causality
between trying to win and misbehavior.
[The Ais then focus onfocus.] The ball in table tennis is so
small, so light, with so much spin, you must concentrate on it so
intensely. The Chinese players often say there is nothing in the world
but the balland to control it you must control your temper.
[And of course you must always try hard.] In table tennis,
like any other part of your life, you will lose nothing by trying hard,
but you will not know what you lose by not trying hard.
You see, life is sort of tricky; its bright spots rarely come to
us in a straightforward manner. You must work hard to seek the
sunshine of life and sometimes you must suffer darkness for long
periods. But when success does come you will discover immense
joy and you will find yourself more capable, more confident, and
stronger in skills and will power. In short, you will feel great.
Workshops: Following Mel Eisners suggestion, the E.C. for
a time split into two sections, each to better focus on the subject at
Focus on the ball - just on the ball
hand. In the one case, Juniors; in the other, Tournaments and Clubs.
Regarding Juniors, here are just a few suggestions made: (1) a removable Junior section in
SPIN, with a Junior Editor and a monthly Junior column. Wintrich requested to implement such a
section. [A Junior column was done on a small scale back in the 1950s.] (2) A separate and wellpublicized National Junior Championship (the idea of a combined Senior/Junior Championship was
rejected). (3) an emphasis on Resident Junior Coaches in specific areas.
Regarding Tournaments: (1) Have Headquarters be an important
Publicity Center. Help sponsors by telephone, sending press releases to
local and national papers (the particulars having been conveyed in a
standard way by a tournament designee). Hire a journalism intern to do
this. (2) Have all rated events in large tournaments finish by Friday
evening, perhaps with the finals on Saturday. (3) Insist that individual
courts be set up for final matches. (4) Insist that tournaments be run in
gymnasia, in good surroundings, instead of poor clubs. (5) Noting that
most of those playing in any tournament lose, run the event in such a way
that losers go home happy and satisfied. [Easier said than done. I
Larry Thoman
satisfied some players by waiving not the sanction fee but permits and
membership for first-time players in Larry Thomans recent Tennessee tournament. Some said I
should have authorized, as I did with a Jeff Mason group, a minimal $1 fee to play and be rated. But
many others disagreed and that option wont be repeated. Actually the important thing is: if weve
given them incentive enough to play again, then they have to pay.] 6. Hold funded or partly funded
clinics for tournament directors who, not satisfied with their earlier efforts, want to improve.
Regarding Clubs: (1) Publicize Clubs more in SPINhave Regional pages. [I did a
variation of this in Topics and Timmys, moving from East to West across the country. (2) Publicize
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by mentioning the name of a players club the first time his own name is mentioned. [A whacky
improbability.] (3) In publicizing Regional news, use a smaller font to permit the inclusion of more
copy. (4) Be prepared to take advantage of Jeff Masons Club Manual (it should be available at
Headquarters by mid-August).
A Tournament-a-Year Controversy. Here are four responses to the USTTAs decision
that if a USTTA Club is to remain a USTTA Club it must run at least one tournament a year.
First (in an Apr. 23, 1985 letter to me), from Rick Hardy, Solon, Ohio:
A majority of the E.C. evidently believes that at least most of the USTTA clubs currently
not running tournaments will choose to do so, but I believe that most will choose not to do so.So
a few (or a lot of?) clubs drop out. What have we lost? We have lost contact. We have no way of
answering the inquiry of a potential club player as to the serious play in his or her city. [I question
how many inquiries in the course of a season are forthcoming to any one club not capable of holding
a tournament. I question how much serious play goes on in such a club. (And I want serious
play.)]There are those clubs wholl be put off by this requirement because theyre not yet ready
to run a tournament. [I dont want to wait for them to be ready, if ever they will be.] Most
importantly, you will have fostered an impression that the USTTA is only interested in tournaments,
not in casual recreational play. [Well, I certainly dont want the USTTA clubs to be known primarily
for casual recreational play. I want imaginative, enterprising club leaders and supportive members
who care collectively about making their club better and better known.]
After all this criticism of your means, I now wish to praise your goal. I suggest,
however, that this be achieved by additional benefits for those clubs holding regular
tournaments. [I certainly want deserving clubs to be rewarded. And the clubs that cant run one
tournament a year I dont want representing the Association that Im trying to bring at least a
touch of prestige to.]
Next, from Peter Johnson, Shellburne Falls, MA (SPIN, July-Aug., 1985, 4):
I applaud the Executive Committees recent decision to require all USTTA affiliated clubs
to run at least one sanctioned tournament a year or forfeit their affiliation. We need to eliminate the
undesirable clubs, the ones who must play Ping-Pong, not Table Tennis. Hooray for the elite clubs,
the elite tournaments!
Next, Steve Hochman, Virginia Beach, VA (SPIN, Sept., 1985, 4):
Peter Johnson in last months Counter Drive, applauded the E.C.
decision requiring sanctioned clubs to conduct at least one sanctioned
tournament a year to maintain their affiliate status. He stated that this would
eliminate the undesirable clubs, the ones who must play Ping-Pong.
The Virginia Beach Table Tennis Club recently lost all future
tournament dates with its sponsor, the Virginia Beach Recreations Center
(VBRC). Does this make us less of a club than previous years when we
conducted three or four sanctioned tournaments a year? [The obvious
answer is Yes.] We still have a large following. We have a solid group of
Steve Hochman
players rated over 1700, and occasionally 2000s stop in to play. [So, with
your solid group of players, you have a whole year to find a place to run a decent tournament. Is
that so formidable a task?]
182

We encourage participation of new players and help with their development. Many of us
travel to tournaments and weve put on local mall exhibitions promoting the sport of table tennis.
Dont we sound like a typical club?
Why cant we remain affiliated with the USTTA? Although we are disappointed about our
tournament impasse with the VBRC, would one tournament a year really make us that much
better? [Impasse? If you cant put on a tournament at that one rec center, you cant put on a
tournament at all? Cmon.]
Perhaps we should challenge Peter Johnsons elite club to a team competition so they
could show us Ping-Pongers how to really play. I have a feeling we would kick their
And lastly, Jack Buddy Melamed, Houston, TX
Jack Buddy
(SPIN, Sept., 1985, 4):
Melamed, on
I read in SPIN about the new rule that states all TT clubs
being inducted
(2004) into
that do not hold a tournament once a season will not be allowed to
Houstons
remain affiliated with the USTTA. Members of those clubs that will
Jewish Hall of
be disaffiliated will certainly have a much warmer feeling toward the
Fame
USTTA and no doubt will go to great lengths to continue their
personal memberships. Getting rid of the Ping-Pong players will
prohibit them from becoming anything else. The editor of SPIN
wont have to open so many letters to the editor, the USTTA will not
be burdened with printing so many copies for memberships, and,
best of all, it will make our USTTA membership card more valuable
since there will be much fewer in existence. [Why are you repeatedly
so negative, regaling in thinking the worst?]
It will surely help the sport because we can eliminate the
small clubs so inexperienced that they are incapable of running a tournament, as well as getting rid of
many groups of young players like university clubs who have a limited number of transient players.
The major tournaments wont be so crowded with participants since the local tournaments must be
attended by the local players. Listing the affiliated clubs in SPIN wont take so much space in the
future. For those who travel they can pack less, for they wont need their table tennis equipment
because chances are they wont find a USTTA affiliated group in the area.
What a brainstorm!*
[This response is disappointing. Is not only sad but laughable too as it approaches hysteria
at the thought of running a tournament. But what can I say? Its precisely this malaise of mediocrity,
this satisfaction with the status quo, that, on every front, Im trying to do something about. Why the
resistance to change? Why the persistent inertia?]
What I Want Our Aspiring Juniors To Do
In my recent Up Front column (SPIN, July-Aug., 1985, 11) Id written what Id like to see
were the aims of our most aspiring Juniors:
To develop an image of self as an intense player for whom the sport (as opposed to
recreational Ping-Pong) really matters.
To learn to see, really see, how good players play so as to consciously or at least
unconsciously absorb their techniques (best perhaps to try to do this with the aid of a paid analyst or
coachsomeone, it may be, whos had coaching experience at Colorado Springs/Lake Placid who
might be rewarded by the USTTA if his/her student of any age shows fast improvement.
183

To better adapt to whats actually

happening in the sportto the many different styles,
rubber surfaces, strokes, serves, and spins. Is it
really fun the other wayto monotonously playpractice the TV hours away in the same old way?
Get some juice.
To become pressure-oriented, tournament
toughable to extend oneself both mentally and
physically, and so prepared to rise to a challenge.
To at least peripherally begin to understand,
perhaps by talking with or closely observing a
good, if possible world-class player, what the sport
you love, played ideally the way youd love to play
it, is all about. (In a few years, our juniors will begin
getting continual coaching help from the everincreasing flux of immigrating Chinese.)
Coach Jack Huang and top student Sunny Li
It seems to me that the USTTA is for
players (or dreamers) who, whatever their rating level, want seriously to engage in sportwant to
play in tournaments. Accordingly, I want to reward clubs (with tables or robots, coaching or
tournament-travel funds) not simply because over the years theyve endured, but because they show
me they aspire to excellence and, with a proven interest in juniors, look to the future.
SELECTED NOTES.
*On Jan. 9, 1986, I received the following letter from Buddy:
Dear Tim,
Believe it or not, you are getting a letter from Buddy Melamed where he isnt complaining,
being sarcastic, or giving someone the needle.
What I want to do is thank you for helping my TT game. For about six months my
backhand has been terrible. I found myself bending my wrist down when trying to hitlike trying to
lift more with my wrist movement. I use Curl P-2 and to hit all you need do is simply hit through
the ball with touch.Anyway, I heeded your suggestion and now I consciously place my thumb up a
little higher on the blade (and hold the bat close to the blade) AND IT WORKS. When I lift my
thumb up on the blade it stops me from bending my wrist when I hit my backhand.
Thanks.
I responded:
Mgod, Buddy, Ive made your game better! And you beat me (us) the last time we
played.Ohh.
Still, its good to have your letter. It shows everyone that I certainly DO know something
about Coaching. Ill save your letter and when I get more like it Ill have a collection, and then
maybe Ill publish that.
Just two days ago, Sally and I were reminiscing about 11-year-old Eric going off by himself
on that plane to the Houston U.S. Openand how hard it was for her at the airport to finally just
turn her back on him and so insist that even though he didnt want to go by himself he HAD to. Do
you remember the password you were to meet him with? [It was Mr. McGillicuddyErics name
for his imaginary friend (alter ego) who would come visit us, always wearing a scarf, but who
invariably would just miss seeing Eric.]
184

Chapter Thirteen
1985: Tel Aviv Maccabiah Games. 1985: Canadian Junior Championships. 1985:
Sean ONeill, Diana Gee Win National Sports Festival VI. 1985: Junior Olympics/Junior
Nationals. 1985: First Masters Games.
Canadas Andrew Giblon
(OTTA Update, Fall, 1985, 27-29)
reports on Canadian and U.S. play
at the July 15-25 Maccabiah
Games in Tel Aviv, Israel:
Among the 200 athletes
Canada sent to this years
Maccabiah Games were, as wed
seen qualify in Toronto back in
Chapter Two, the Canadian Table
Tennis team, headed by Coach Zoran Kosanovic and
consisting of four players28-year-old Steve Feldstein, Mitch
Rothfleisch, Andrew Giblon, and (replacing qualifier Rene
Canadas Andrew Giblon
Lewandowski when Rene for whatever reason refused to
take the mandatory physical fitness test), 16-year-old Boris
Vaynshtein.
Giblon, thankful for the opportunity to train in Toronto with Kosanovic, the #1-ranked
player in Canada, and eagerly anticipating his first international experience, couldnt have taken his
position on the Team more seriously. For the six months before the Games, this was his daily
routine: Up at 5:00 a.m.; practise with Zoran from 5:45 to 8:00; work from 9:00 to 6:00; then
practise again, usually with Zoran, from 7:00 to 10:00 at night. Of course Andrew went to every
tournament he could.
U.S. Mens and Womens Teams were also in Tel Avivthough thered been no coverage
of them in SPIN, not before, during, or after the tournament, and, as we learn from Giblon, a Tryout
that was earlier supposed to be in Cleveland, Ohio turned out to be played in Westfield, NJ where
three players from that ClubBarry Dattel, Eyal Adini, and Brian Eisnerqualified to come to
Israel for these Games, or what some call the Jewish Olympics. I was surprised to hear from
another source that the U.S. Womens Team of Irina Shtofmahker and Sophia Gorin won a silver in
Womens Doubles and that Sophia paired with Dattel to take a bronze in the Mixed.
Before he begins describing the matches, Giblon gives us an orientation:
We arrived in Tel Aviv four days before the Games to allow us to get used to the climate
(30-35 degrees centigrade and very humid) and also the food (mostly chicken, cucumbers and
tomatoes; McDavids is a poor imitation of McDonalds). Practise conditions at local clubs were
poor, but not much worse than at most clubs in North America. The tournament site was excellent:
an air-conditioned, well-lit gym with new tables. Hospitality was fantastic. All teams were housed in
4-star hotels with three meals provided daily. At our disposal were teams of volunteer drivers and
vans to take us to practise, tours, and parties.The opening ceremonies provided some of the most
memorable and emotional moments for our players. Imagine walking into Ramat Gan Stadium in the
black of night and hearing the roar of more than 50,000 spectators. Canada! Canada! they
185

chanted while
dozens of Maple
Leaf flags
appeared to the
light of flashbulbs.
Among these pockets of
spectators were my parents
whod made the 13,000kilometer trip to support me and
the team.
Since the organizers
didnt know the strength of the
14 Mens teams, they were
randomly split into four groups.
Tel Aviv at night
The top two finishers in each
group would advance to crossover quarter-finals. Both North American teams felt that, were there seedings, Israel would be #1,
U.S. #2, Canada #3, and Germany or Great Britain #4. If both Israel and the U.S. held to form,
they would meet not in the finals but in the semis. The U.S. unsuccessfully protested this draw
which brought a warning from Argentina and Venezuela that if the U.S., in an effort to meet Israel in
the final, dumped to either of them they would fix their tie to ensure that the U.S. would finish third
in their initial round robin and be eliminated. Canada, rather than protest with the U.S., kept quiet,
partly because of our unusual position of drawing Israel in our round robin. On the one hand,
assuming that we would probably lose to Israel, we had to beat both Belgium and Norway or be
eliminated; on the other hand, if we did advance, we wouldnt have to play Israel again until the
finals.
As anticipated, Canada did beat Belgium
and Norway (each 5-0), and lost to Israel (5-1).
The Israelis used their National Team, ranked 22nd
in the world, comprised of (and Ill estimate their
ratings) Yossi Bogen (2600, no relation to Eric),
Dror Polac [or Polak], many-time Israeli Champion
and Defending Maccabiah Champion (2500), Gil
Bracha (2350), and Menachem Stein (2300). We
dropped the first four matches. But then Mitch
pulled off the upset of the tournament, said, I
played the match of my life in beating Polac 2-0. If
his behavior hadnt already gained him notoriety,
this victory made him a celebrity at our
hotel.More than half the people we met outside
Mitch Rothfleisch
the Games (waiters, taxi drivers, etc.) knew who
Dror Polac was, and when they found out Mitch had beaten him, service and prices seemed to
suddenly improve.
In quarters ties, it was Canada over Australia (5-0), Germany over Argentina (5-0), Israel
over Switzerland (5-0), and the U.S. over Great Britain (5-1).
In the one semis, Israel stopped the U.S., 5-1with Adini winning over Bracha.
186

In the other semis, Canada got off to a great start against Germany. Feldstein beat Leo
Weiss (2100), 2-0, Rothfleisch beat Benny Feingold, 2-0, and, after Giblon lost 2-0 to Ignacz
Berger (hed been up 17-11 and 20-18 in the first), Rothfleisch blanked Weiss. Canada 3-Germany
1.
Next up: chopper Feldstein vs. chopper Berger. After 15 minutes of steady pushing, our
Steve led 5-3, and the Expedite Rule was brought in. The match lasted over an hour, and featured
very steady defence and almost hopeless offence from both players. Steve often waited until the
10th or 11th ball to attack; Berger often tried a serve and 3rd or 5th ball attack. Too bad for Canada,
but Feldstein found himself 20-13 down in the third. But then, in one of the most miraculous
comebacks I have ever seen, Steve played perfect offence when he had to, and won eight straight
points to lead 21-20. With Steve serving for the match, Bergers return of serve caught the net and
carried over. On that one net point turned our entire fortunes, for Berger won the next point on a
bad bounce, and the point after to take the match.
Canada, disheartened, dropped the remaining three matches. Then more of a blow: the
Team event, unlike the Singles and Doubles, did not give out bronze medals to both semifinalists, but
required a play-off for third place. This Canada lost to the U.S., 5-1, when only Feldstein could
scorewith a deuce-in-the-third win over Adini. Giblon had a good chance against Dattelwas up
1-0 and at deuce in the secondbut couldnt get the win.
Of course, Israel blitzed Germany for the gold.
How did Canada do in the Singles? In the quarters, Rothfleish lost to Israels Stein. In the
eighths, Feldstein, whod upset Great Britains Wright (2300), fell to Bracha. Also in the eighths,
Giblon, after downing an Indian and a Yugoslav, was beaten by USAs Eisner. In the first round, with
no team matches under his belt, Boris Vaynshtein lost to Great Britains Levene, then did win one
Consolation match.
Perhaps something of a surprise was Brachas quarterfinal win over the Peruvian #2 Walter
Nathan (2500). That put all four Israelis in the semis, and eventually Polac would successfully
defend his title with a 3-1 win over Bogen.
In Doubles, Mitch and I lost
Gonna take his head off! Who could think that?
in the quarters to the #1 seeds and
eventual gold medalists Bogen/
Bracha. Our partnership did not draw
rave reviews from coach/critic
KosanovicMitch was afraid I was
going to take his head off with my big
loop swing, and I never seemed to be
able to get around Mitch. Still, with
any other draw, we thought we would
have had a good chance to medal.
Feldstein paired with his counterpart
German chopper Berger and lost deuce-in-the-third to eventual bronze medalists Abuaf/Burstein of
Argentina. Boris, paired with Germanys Huberman, came alive and was surprisingly close to
beating eventual bronze medalists Wright/Abraham of Great Britain.
Once the tournament was over, the entire Canadian team stayed over an additional four
days, spent mostly on guided tours through the country. You get an appreciation for the size of the
country when you realize that the travel time by bus between any two cities in the entire country is
usually less than three hours. Mitch and I stayed on for another 10 days as guests at the homes of
187

National Team members and other new-found friends. On my way back to Toronto, I spent some time in
Rome and Paris, where I met, both by chance and design, other touring Maccabiah participants.
As a footnote to the tournament: Mitchs excellent play, and particularly his win over Dror
Polac prompted more than one manager in the 16-team Israeli League to try to negotiate a contract
for Mitch as the #1 player for a team for one season. In a country ravaged by 800% inflation and a
weak economy burdened by heavy military spending, the major obstacle was coming up with the
money for airfare and salary, but one club managed. Mitch will live in Tel Aviv with a National Team
member, play in weekly league matches, coach at his club, practice with the National Team, and
take courses at Tel Aviv University.
Results of the Canadian Junior Championships, played July 24-28 at Iles de la Madeleine,
Quebec:
Interprovincial Team Matches: Boys U-13: 1. Ontario. 2. Alberta. Boys U-15: 1. Quebec.
2. Ontario. Boys U-17: 1. Ontario. 2. British Columbia. Girls U-13: 1. Nova Scotia. 2. Quebec.
Girls U-15: 1. Alberta. 2. Saskatchewan. Girls U-17: 1. Quebec. 2. British Columbia.
Singles: Boys U-11: 1. Dang Vu, Hop (Que). 2. Griffiths, Dean (Sask). Boys U-13: 1. Ng,
Johnny (Ont). 2. Le, Trung (Ont). Boys U-15: 1. Ng, Peter (Ont). 2. Poh, Danny (B.C.). Boys U17: 1. Mah, John (Alta). 2. Bourget, Jean (Que). Girls U-11: 1. Lin, Julia (Sask). 2. Healy, Jennifer
(N.S.). Girls U-13: 1. Barton, Julie (N.S.). 2. Mah, Serena (Alta). Girls U-15: 1. Sylvestre,
Caroline (Que). 2. Patel, Nathalie (Que). Girls U-17: 1. Bedard, Helene (Que).
2. Patel, Nathalie (Que).
Doubles: Boys U-13: 1. Ng, J./Le, T. (Ont). 2. Yee, D./D. (Alta). Boys U15: 1. Ng, P./J. (Ont). 2. Ladouceur, M./Leveille, P. (Que). Boys U-17: 1.
Kamble, V./Ng, P. (Ont). 2. Le, T./Ng, J. (Ont). Girls U-13: 1. Barton, J./Pink,
T. (N.S.). 2. Perron, J./Sylvestre, C. (Que). Girls U-15: 1. Traeger, C./Kecki,
E. (Sask). 2. Mah, K./Chen, L. (Alta). Girls U-17: 1. Chu, C./Mah, K. (Alta).
2. Bedard, H./Drouin, L. (Que).
Mixed Doubles: U-13: 1. Bourbonnais, M./Sylvestre, C. (Que). 2. Mah,
S./Yee, D. (Alta). U-15: 1. Leveille P./Paquet, C. (Que). 2. Patel, N./
Ladouceur, M. (Que).
Julie Barton
Final Provincial Standings: 1. Quebec. 2. Ontario. 3. Alberta. 4. Nova
From OTTA Update,
Summer, 85
Scotia. 5. Saskatchewan. 6. British Columbia. 7. Prince Edward Island. 8.
New Brunswick. 9. Newfoundland. 10. Manitoba.
Singles matches at the National Sports Festival VI, held July 21-30
in Baton Rouge, LA, were written up (SPIN, Sept., 1985, cover+) by
Tony Britt of the Miller High Life News Bureau. Team matches by Tim
Boggan. Heres Britt:
Winner of the Mens Singles gold medal at National Sports
Festival VI was Sean ONeill.
Only undefeated singles player throughout the four-day tournament, with a 17-0 record
Sean ONeill.
Brace yourself if his play during NSF VI and the U.S. Open the month prior is any
indication of whats to come, Sean ONeill is a name you will be reading even more than you have
in the last few paragraphs.
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For the second straight year, the 17-year-old product of Vienna, VA dominated mens play at the
National Sports Festival. Losing only two out of 36 games in singles matches he played, ONeill
outdistanced himself from the 16-man field with an array of shots that easily made him the crowd favorite.
Sean will come up with individual, world-class shots better than anyone here, said Mens
Team Manager Bill Hodge. Some of his shots are just amazing.
The defending NSF champion in both Mens Singles and Mens Doubles, ONeill entered
NSF VI fresh off his most impressive win to date. At the U.S. Open in Miami, he did away with
Swedish National Champion, world #11, Erik Lindh. That was by far the best win of my career,
said ONeill, who is currently the mens top-rated amateur player in the country. At the Sports
Festival, all I had to worry about was playing up to my level.
ONeills victories during the Team Competition on the first day helped the undefeated
South win the gold medal. ONeill was teamed with John Allen, Dave Sakai, and Perry
Schwartzberg, a former mentor of ONeills and the 1981 NSF Singles gold medalist.
In Mixed Doubles, ONeill was paired with 17-year-old Toni Gresham of Albuquerque,
NM. The teen-age pair tied with Gene Lonnon and Diana Gee in preliminary round robin play but
couldnt compete in the final because theyd lost a head-to-head tie-breaker to the advancing pair.
Perry
Schwartzberg

NSF Champion Sean ONeill

Photo by Robert Compton

On the final day, ONeill was perhaps at his

best. In six matches, 19 points was the most he allowed
an opponent. ONeill breezed by his final two
opponents before 350 spectators who were among
1,150 who attended nine sessions over four days in the
Centroplex Exhibition Hall.
In the semifinals, Sean defeated Perry
Schwartzberg, who, ten years earlier, had received $50
a weekend from ONeills parents to coach Sean.

ONeill won in straight games, 15, 12, 18.

Schwartzberg went on to win the bronze medal confrontation over George Brathwaite.
ONeill wound up with the same number of medalsthreeas he won at the last NSF two
years ago at Colorado Springs. While his medal accumulation was no different this year, everyone
knew that this was a much improved Sean ONeill. The tournament showed how my new stuff can
work, he said. At the U.S. Open I didnt know their [international opponents] shots because I
had never played them before. After playing here for the past few days, I got used to my opponents
shots so I tried a lot of newer ones of my own.
189

Womens Singles
Just as appealing to fans and the media as ONeill, with the warm smile of a 16-year-old
and a twin sister lurking to upset her, was Diana Gee who upheld her #1 seeding among the women.
Diana won gold medals in Womens Singles and Womens Team competition with her West
teammates, which included sister Lisa, Carol Davidson, and Kerry Vandaveer. Diana also took the
silver in Womens Doubles with Vandaveer and Mixed Doubles with Gene Lonnon.
Diana, who lost
twice
during
Team
NSF Womens
Champion
NSF
competition (to Cheryl
Diana Gee
Womens
Dadian and Vicky
Photo by
Finalist
Wong), defeated her
Robert Compton
Lisa Gee
biggest rival for the
Womens Singles gold
sister Lisatwice. With
identical 6-0 records
through the Womens
Singles preliminary
rounds and still one to
go, Diana and Lisa met
for the first time. Diana
won game one at 10, Lisa the second at 18. The two were literally all over the court, each eager to
prove something to the other. In the end, it was Diana on top at 18. The story was the same that
evening when they met for the gold medal. Diana won, -19, 14, 17, 12.
Both players said they had learned something from their previous meetings in Mixed
Doubles and Womens Singles preliminaries. I tried to spin the ball a little more than I usually do,
Diana said. I tried to attack a little bit more, said Lisa. Trying not to show her obvious
disappointment, Lisa added, I really didnt feel any pressure because I wasnt supposed to win.

National Sports Festival Doubles Winners: Cheryl Dadian and Artdith Lonnon
Photos by Mal Anderson

Winners of the gold in Womens Doubles were the North pair of Cheryl Dadian and Ardith
Lonnon who defeated the Easts Vicky Wong and Marta Zurowski in straight games in the final.
In Mens Doubles, the Norths Scott and Jimmy Butler defeated the Easts Lim Ming Chui
and Randy Seemiller. They thus became the only brothers in any NSF sport to share a gold medal.*
Table tennis was the only sport at the Festival that featured players with a 34-year age
difference meeting head to head. The physical difference was even more striking14-year-old
spindly Jimmy Butler vs. 48-year-old muscular George Brathwaite. But Butler proved its not how
190

Jimmy Butler

big or strong you are that counts, as he

defeated The Chief deuce in the third on
the first day of Team competition. Even
though Butler came from down 20-15 in
the third, he wasnt too impressed with all
the media hoopla surrounding his victory.
I dont know what everyones so excited
about, he said. Ive beaten him before.
Table Tennis received good media
coverage at NSF VI ranging from local
television stations WBRZ and WAFB to
ESPN, ABC Sports Radio, the
Associated Press, United Press
International, Time Magazine, USA
Today, and eight other newspapers from
New York to California.

George Brathwaite

Boggan now takes up the Team play:

Although there were four players on each of the Mens and Womens teams, only one of
these players was allowed to play all three round robin ties. That meant the remaining three players
on a team had to play two ties. And since each team had a fourth player rated weaker than the
others, a strategic solution was needed as to which team you played him/her (and who else?)
against. This tended to equalize team results, and ties of ties were expected.
Womens Team Competition
Favored to win the Womens competition was the West team of the Gee sisters, Carol
Davidson, and Kerry Vandaveer. The West had three of the top-four-rated women here and they
were successful, though they had to survive a 5-4 tie with the runner-up North (Takako Trenholme,
Cheryl Dadian, Ardith Lonnon, and Joyce Jenkins). Taking home the bronze was the young East
team of Vicky Wong, Jasmine Wang, Flora Ng, and Marta Zurowski.
The East, I thought, despite their lack of tournament toughness (confidence? composure?
all-out desire?), might have won this event. In their first tie, they scored a come-from-behind victory
over the North. Although I particularly liked Vickys footwork, her snap of a forehand, the smooth
follow through, it was Floras upset of Takako which offset Ardiths deuce-in-the-third win over
Vicky, and Jasmines three-match sweep that gave the East its victory.
In the next tie, however, the South (who had been blanked by the West in the first round)
made their move. Olga
Toni Gresham
Soltesz stopped Jasmines
Photo by Mal Anderson
roll, 25-23 in the third.
Pigool Kulcharnpises
(Gahla-CHAHN-pee-said!)
finished off Flora and Marta;
Marta
and Gresham, who after all
Zurowski
these years is turning into a
very good player, outattacked Zurowski.
191

Now if the North could beat the West, thered be a fourway 1-1 tie going into the final round. But though Takako
and Cheryl traded off against the Gee sisters, Carol, whod
apparently not been playing much, if any, for months, and
had a tightening groin muscle, defeated Ohio champ Jenkins
in three in the ninth match to send the West into the final
undefeated.
In the evening, the North beat the South, thanks to a win by
Joyce, two by Ardith, and two by Cheryl, who was favoring
a sprained ankle acquired in a softball game back home.
So now the East could win if they beat the West. But right
off, in the most unrestrained match of the day, Applied
Psycholgy major Vandaveer got carried away, often stalking
her idealized self round in circles in a Cmon, get psyched!
Carol Davidson
dance. Despite a leg cramp, some damaged cartilage to the
knee, and seven ad points down, Kerry screamed just a
little louder, a little longer than Vicky and won out 25-23 in the third. After which, both Marta and
Jasmine lost deuce games and the East was behind 3-0. But then unpredictable Vicky took heart,
stopped Diana, and Jasmine got the better of Kerry. Unfortunately for Martaohh, Martashe
couldnt quite do it, lost deuce in the third to Carol. And Jasmine fell to Diana. Hell of a try though.
Mens Team Competition
The Mens Team ties were also exciting. Sean ONeill, Perry Schwartzberg, Khoa Nguyen,
George Brathwaite, Scott Butler, and Lim Ming Chui, all in the top 20 of the U.S., were expected
to do well here. Since, however, Sean and Perry would be on the same South team (with John Allen
and Dave Sakai) they were favored to win the goldand didstruggling through two 5-4 ties
before having an easier 5-3 time of it in the final against the East.
Finishing second with a 2-1 record was the North team of the Butler brothers, Jim Doney,
and Ron Lilly. They were hurt by the last-minute absence of Brandon Olson, who was out because
of an ankle injury incurred while playing tennis.
Actually, this North team almost won the event, but they were badly wounded by a firstround 5-4 loss to the South. Scott Butler, whod outlasted New England Champ John Allen (20, 19, 23), couldnt hold on from up 18-12 in the third against the world-class surge of fist-up Seans
spectacular shot-making; and brother Jimmy, our U.S. U-15, U-13 Champ, couldnt upset Perry
Schwartzberg in the third game of the ninth match.
Draped with humility as well as the bronze, was the East team of George Brathwaite,
Lim Ming Chui, Randy Seemiller, and Ben Nisbet. They posted a 5-2 loss to the North that
saw some wild swings. Jimmy Butler knocked off The Chief by rebelliously refusing to smoke
the peace pipe from 20-15 down in the third. And brother Scott, up 1-0 but behind 20-14 in
the second, rallied to win eight in a row from the hapless Chui. You dont think against the
young, said Ming. You take them too much for granted. You dont realize that theyre
growing, are getting bigger, and that youre aging, your bodys getting older, your mind getting
worse. Poor Mings losing it?
However, the East did 5-4 beat the West. Here the eighth and ninth matches proved
decisive: Ming over Jerry Thrasher, 22-20 in the third, and Randy, 20, 18, over an up and down
Dean Doyle.
192

Quang Buis 11th-hour decision not to play was a blow to

the West team of Khoa Nguyen, Doyle, Thrasher, and Gene
Lonnon. They lost a closely contested tie to the South when the wily
Sakai, after earlier losing two three-game matches, won over a
clearly improving Lonnon, 17, 21.
The West also lost to the North when Scott Butler dropped
it on Thrasher, 19 in the third, and Jim Doney downed both Jerry
and Gene.
Dr. Michael Scott (SPIN, Sept., 1985, 7) reports on the
USOC Drug Control Program that was in use at the National
Dave Sakai
Sports Festival:
Two male and two female USTTA athletes were
randomly selected for drug testing at the Festival in accordance with the USOCs increased efforts
to control drug usage.The key intention is educational not punitive. However, those found taking
banned drugs will be suspended from competition for six months; a repeat infraction will result in
permanent suspension from IOC-approved competition. The offending athlete must forfeit all
awards won at the event and, if a team member, the entire team will be disqualified as well.
Drug detection is done by urinalysis. With the newer, highly-sophisticated techniques now
available, any attempt to beat the system, such as taking a diuretic or sodium bicarbonate, is
readily detected. Hormonal drugs are detectable months after cessation of taking them.
If you are notified by a member of the drug detection crew that you have been randomly
selected, your cooperation is mandatory; non-compliance will be cause for disqualification. Once
the athlete comes in for testing, the crew member will remain with him/her at all times until a urine
specimen is obtained. This prevents drug-taking athletes from substituting a normal specimen for
their own.The entire laboratory procedures are done anonymously as the samples are sealed
under a code number selected by the athlete. No one except the athlete handles the sample until it is
sealed in two specimen bottles. If any tests are positive, the athlete and the head of his association
are notified. Then a second test will be performed by a different laboratory technician on the second
specimen saved from the original urine sample.
Some key substances banned are psycho-motor stimulant drugs, central nervous system
stimulants, and anabolic
steroids. Special considerations
are permitted if a USOC
physician attests prior to
competition that the medication
was clinically justifiable.
The USTTAs first
four selected athletesCheryl
Dadian, Carol Davidson, Lim
Ming Chui, and Perry
Schwartzbergshould be
acknowledged for their splendid
and complete cooperation during
A sampling of USOC banned medications.
those tests. They were certainly a
Normally legal but not for competition.
credit to the USTTA.
Photo by Bob Tretheway
193

USTTA Vice-President and Olympic Committee Chair Jimmy McClure and International
Umpire Manny Moskowitz were on duty at the Sports Festival, which prompted our Dr. Michael
Scott, also on duty, to make a few good-hearted jokes at their expense (Wiggys, Nov. 6, 1985).
Heres one instance:
Although Adidas kindly supplied all the National Sports Festival athletes with expensive,
colorful and complete uniforms, Jimmy and Manny were issued oversized drab khaki caps with long
protruding bills, khaki jackets, and long khaki pants. They seemed a comic duo, especially when Bill
Hodge described the cut and style of their uniforms as tacky khaki.
At best, in these outfits, they resembled lower-eschelon maintenance personnel. Thus they
were able to enter even the most restricted of areas during the Festival without being questioned.
Even the most suspicious of the innumerable guards and police assumed Jimmy and Manny were
there to inspect the air-conditioner or were the clean-up crew. I, meanwhile, was repeatedly
stopped and quizzed about my medical identification while this comic couple, disguised one from the
other with their equal size and build and long-beaked caps, were invariably waved right through.
[Mgod, imagine if these guys werent Jimmy and Manny. What they would have been up to would
not have been comical.]
In a Letter to the Editor (SPIN, Sept., 1985, 4), Manny had good words to say about this
Festival:
The National Sports Festival in Baton Rouge proved that quality competition could go
hand in hand with camaraderie. Credit must be given to our Baton Rouge hosts for providing an
environment which brought enjoyment to all participants.
Special thanks go to Tom and Melinda Baudry and Mel and Coretta Douglas for hosting a
barbecue and swim party for all the table tennis people at the Baudry home.
Ralph Spratt as Tournament Referee and myself as Chief Umpire wish to acknowledge all
the Baton Rouge people who volunteered their services as umpires and scorers, without whom the
matches would not have gone off so smoothly.
Playing conditions, although adequate, gave the staff an insight as to what is needed to make
future competition more appreciative to both players and spectators.
I would like to extend my compliments to Tom Wintrich for the fine article he provided the
Festival Program, giving the non-playing public an insight to the sport of table tennis. In my opinion,
this was about the best written article on the development of table tennis in my many years of
activity.
Unfortunately I have no copy of Toms article to show you.
I do, however, have a copy of correspondence I had with our USTTA lawyer, Bob
Hibschweiler regarding the Sports Festival mix-up we had with Ohio player Bobby Powell. Mel
Eisner suggested, in response to Powell lawyer Ralph Shapiros letter concerning the distress
caused his client, that only Hibschweiler respond to the complaint. I took Mels advice, and in my
Sept. 18, 1985 letter to Bob I explained what had happened:
Back in early July, the USTTA Selection Committee belatedly listed, based mostly on a
decided-upon Rating list, their not particularly well-thought-out player-choices for the Sports
Festival that would be coming up toward the end of July. I say choices but perhaps one could
consider them strong recommendations for, ideally, were there enough time (and there wasnt),
these choices would, with the input of Bob Tretheway, our NSF Coordinator, have to be
194

approved by the E.C. In other words, though everyone could reasonably expect these choices to
be almost 100% observed they were not totally definitive.
Because the Selection process was hurried, and time was running short to notify the players,
the lines of authority were not strictly observed, and Tretheway, having difficulty contacting player
after player who was in line to go, exercised some leeway and told Bobby Powell (largely because
hed played in so many tournaments, while some of those ahead of him on the Rating list had been
inactive) that he could go to the NSF and by way of confirmation sent him a plane ticket to Baton
Rouge. [Recall, too, that the earlier selection of a U.S. Team to Cuba had been mis-managed.]
Tretheway also selected a relatively low-rated player, Gene
Lonnon, whom the Selection Committee in the spring had picked to
Gene
represent the U.S. in Junior play in Europe and who had continued
Lonnon
to indicate his high seriousness by enrolling in our fall Resident
Training Program at Colorado Springs.
When some other players with higher ratings heard that
these two players were picked above them, they set up a howl.
And surely with some justification.
At the 11th hour, I then directed Bob Tretheway to follow
the Selection Committee list (for I certainly didnt approve of
Bobby Powell being put ahead of others on the list)EXCEPT for
Lonnon (he, I thought, definitely should be included, since the
Sports Festival was clearly for Olympic hopefulsthat is,
promising serious-minded youth.
Tretheway, per my directive, then told Powell that wed
made a mistakethat Bobby wasnt in line to go.
Powell, meanwhile, had made his hometown Columbus, Ohio paper. To begin with, his
cystic fibrosis and Navy background made him a publicity natural. Then add to that he worked
for the state and that the state didnt want to give him time off to play. Add that Powell belongs to a
union and that this union supported him until the state conceded that he could go.
Then suddenly he couldnt go, not even after hed received his plane ticket. Trouble,
trouble, trouble. I got a call from the State Senators office and from a local TV show. I told them
both that, my god, I was sorry, Bobbys a very good player, but wed made a mistake, he just
wasnt in line to gothere were others ahead of him.
Finally, the Selection Committee list was scrupulously followed31 out of 32 players
with the single exception of Lonnon, who was definitely a defensible choice. (one sport at the NSF
had no one over 21 participating). It was later generally agreed by USTTA officials that, in keeping
with the NSF as a showcase to give Olympic hopefuls experience, we needed at the next NSF
quite a few more young players and to that end the Selection Committee should not be so enamored
of the Ratings as a criterion for selection.
Soon afterwards, the letter from Powells lawyer arrivedand then a follow-up letter. [I
havent a copy of either.] I told Emily to drop this lawyer a note saying that when I got back from
the Toronto CNE tournament and our E.C. Meeting in Lake Placid wed respond.
For the last week Ive been on jury duty and on a school picket line. Today is really the first
chance Ive had to hurriedly get this off to you. Im surprised the lawyer isnt bugging us again.
Anyway, do what you can, will you?
Ill call you first of next week.
Thanks, as usual.
195

Discussions continued and some closure had

to be found. On Nov. 7, 1985, I wrote Hibschweiler
regarding Robert Powell v. United States Table
Tennis Association:
Dear Bob:
The USTTA wants to compensate Bobby
Powell in some reasonable way (we recognize that,
unintentionally, we did cause him some distress). Thats
why we offer him, in lieu of the National Sports
Festival trip that really he did not qualify for, the
substitute advantages of our most prestigious
tournament, the National Championships (only in this
tournament can he or anyone who wins any event be
said to be the years National Champion in said
event).
So, O.K, we offer Bobby air fare to Vegas
and free entry fees to the Nationals.
But now weve got to draw the line (after all,
our mistake, which we were duty-bound to rectify, was a hurried, honest one). Theres a big
difference between being accommodated at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and being accommodated
in a Spartan dorm on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge. Theres a big difference between
inexpensive dorm food and the kind of food one might order in even a moderately-priced hotel or
outside restaurant in Las Vegas.
O.K., O.K., well also pay for Bobbys hotel room at Caesars for the length of his
tournament stay. But thats it.
I have a quarter of a century reputation for being fair with, being very supportive of, the
players. In all fairness, Bobby was not in line to go to this years NSF. In light of this, I think our
offer is very reasonable.
Sue Butler covers the Junior Olympics and Junior Nationals (SPIN, Oct., 1985,
15)**:
The lighting of the torch by Junior Olympic Champion Scott Butler in Iowa Citys
Carver Hawkeye Arena signaled the official start of the 1985 Junior Olympic
Championships in which 4500 athletes competed in 16 sports.
Regina High School was the venue for table tennis and playing conditions were
excellent. Stiga of Sweden loaned the 13 tables, the barriers, and scorecards for each court, which
allowed spectators to follow the action at any table, any time.
This year the Junior Olympic Championship and the USA National Junior Championships
were combined. Due to this expanded competition, juniors had three days of heavy play regardless
of playing level.
In Junior Olympic competition, players can only compete in their own age bracket; they cannot
play upthat is, an U-13 entrant is not allowed into the U-15s. However, other J.O. events, such as
State Team and State Doubles, provide additional interest and excitement to the J.O. format.
The USA National Junior Championship events were run as they had been in the past when
they were part of the National Championships in Las Vegas. Juniors could enter their own age level
196

plus play up. Doubles with any partner in the country meeting the age requirements were also
available. All of this play, plus awards through sixth place in J.O. competition and for first and
second in the USA Junior Championships, allowed for a large number of winners. One hundred
participants (14 girls, 86 boys) made this the biggest table tennis draw since the sports first
inclusion in J.O. competition four years ago.
Although the Girls draw was small, the Boys was large and very strong. Six of the eight
top-rated boys competed, including NSF Singles gold-medalist Sean ONeill and U-15 National
Champion Jim Butler who with brother Scott had just won the NSF gold in Mens Doubles. Also, in
the lower age groups, top seeds and defending champions such as the Chui brothers, Eric Owens,
and Dhiren Narotam competed.
Following is a list of Junior Olympic winners:
Boys: U-17: 1. Sean ONeill. 2. Scott Butler. 3.
Greg Chamish. [In the 83 Easterns Chamish had won the
U-1250s; here he defeated 2132-rated Gene Lonnon to
win a bronze.] U-15: Jim Butler. 2. John Elwood. 3. Tryg
Truelson. U-13: 1. Dhiren Narotam. 2. Chi Ming Chui. 3.
Jeff Fori. U-11: 1. Chi Sun Chui. 2. Clark Yeh. 3. Ben
Culler. U-9: 1. Eric Owens. 2. Adam Culler. 3. Tim Farber.
Boys Doubles: U-17: 1. Scott Butler/Jim Butler. 2. Sean
ONeill/Steve Emmons. 3. John Elwood/Clark Yeh. U-13:
1. Chi Sun Chui/Chi Ming Chui. 2. Dhiren Narotam/Nilesh
Narotam. 3. Todd Sweeris/David Miller. Boys Teams: 1.
Iowa (Scott Butler, Jim Butler, Dhiren Narotam). 2.
Minnesota (Gene Lonnon, Dan Krall, Thor Truelson). 3.
Massachusetts (Chi Sun Chui, Chi Ming Chui).
Girls: U-17: 1. Vicky Wong. 2. Kathy Gates. 3. My
Dung Nguyen. U-15: 1. Linda Gates. U-13: 1. Martha Gates.
Eric Owens
2. Angela Petterson. U-11: 1. Jane Chui. 2. Moosie Thomas.
Photo by
3. Gina Zamboni. 4. Terri Petterson. U-9: 1. Andrea Butler. 2.
Mal Anderson
Dawn Gates. 3. Lisa Zamboni. 4. Brenda
Culler. Girls Doubles: U-13: 1.Gina
Zamboni/Moosie Thomas. 2. Angela Petterson/Terri Petterson. 3. Lisa Zamboni/Dawn
Gates. Girls Teams: 1. Illinois (Kathy Gates, Linda Gates, Martha Gates, Dawn
Gates). 2. Nebraska (Angela Petterson, Terri Petterson).
Following is a list of USA Junior Nationals winners:
Boys: U-17: 1. Sean ONeill. 2. Scott Butler. U-15: Jim Butler. 2. Dhiren
Narotam. U-13: 1. Chi Sun Chui. 2. Chi Ming Chui. U-11: Chi Sun Chui. 2. Clark
Yeh. U-9: 1. Eric Owens. 2. Adam Culler. Boys Doubles: U-17: 1. Scott Butler/
Jim Butler. 2. Sean ONeill/Gene Lonnon. U-13: Chi Sun Chui/Chi Ming Chui. 2.
Todd Sweeris/Dhiren Narotam.
Girls: U-17: 1. Vicky Wong. 2. Linda Gates. U-15: 1. Linda Gates. 2.
Martha Gates. U-13: 1. Martha Gates. 2. Angela Petterson. U-11: 1. Jane Chui.
2. Moosie Thomas. U-9: 1. Andrea Butler. 2. Lisa Zamboni. Girls Doubles: U-17:
1. Vicky Wong/My Dung Nguyen. 2. Kathy Gates/Linda Gates. U-13: 1. Martha
Dawn Gates
Gates/Dawn Gates. 2. Jane Chui/Gina Zamboni. 3. Angela Petterson/Andrea
Photo by
Butler. 4. Lisa Zamboni/Terri Petterson.
Sue Butler
197

Table tennis is often a family affair, especially at this competition. The Gates sisters, from
Kankakee, IL, won the family medal honors with ten golds, six silver, and a bronze. The Butler
brothers and sister Andrea took home ten gold, two silver, and one bronze. The Chui boys and
sister Jane netted nine gold, three silver, and two bronze. [I, Tim, authorized $200 to the Chui family
in far-away New England (whove again and again demonstrated their interest in and dedication to
the sport) to help Mrs. Chui act as a chaperone for her kids.] Other families with good results were
the Zamboni sisters of Illinois, the Petterson sisters of Nebraska, the Culler kids (three boys, one
girl) of Ohio, and the Narotam brothers of Iowa.
Some of the most exciting and interesting play occurred in the Team competition where
anything can happen. In the Boys semis, Minnesota (Gene Lonnon, Dan Krall, and Thor Truelson)
faced Virginia, a very strong team consisting of 2540 Sean ONeill and 1621 Steve Emmons,
Minnesota was not intimidated as they took the crucial doubles match and won the Corbillon-format
tie 3-1. Minnesota lost the final to the #1-seed Iowa team 3-0, but these runner-ups, and
indeed all the kids, were encouraged by their play and what they had seen during the
competition.
In the past, inexperienced players perhaps coming to their first major tournament were
discouraged when they realized the level of play necessary to excel in the sport. How things change!
This year, even the new players were excited about what they saw, and lower-rated players were
telling the stars, Next year, Im going to beat you.
More than 150 attended the party at our home Saturday night. Swedish table tennis coach
Christian Lillieroos was there, talking to, and answering questions from, the many interested parents
and coaches present.
One of the big benefits of Junior Olympic participation is the free support provided by the
AAU and Sears, as well as the extensive publicity given the tournament. Our juniors were
interviewed by writers from six national magazines and we have been assured of four articles. There
was much local and regional print and television coverage, and press releases for all hometown
newspapers were generated by the AAU press crew. On Aug. 18, there was a one-hour special on
Atlantas WTVS cable station, and table tennis received about four minutes of coverage. This
was more time than any of the other minor sports received and the presentation was
exceptional.
The 1986 National Junior Olympics will be Aug. 3-11 in St. Louis, MO.
Mark your calendars now and make plans to attend.
The First Masters Games (22 different sports; 105 table tennis players),
were held at the Etobicoke Olympium in Toronto Aug. 22-25. They had as their
goal to foster for mature sportsmen/women (amateurs or professionals age 40 and
up) health, fitness, and pleasure through the joy of participation and competition.
That is, a goal of encouraging the delight of lifelong athletic achievement.
Arkansass Paul Vancura, winner in the 60 Doubles with Belgian pick-up
partner John Nieuwejaers (also the 60 Singles winner), certainly had an invigorating
time. Heres something of what he reported (SPIN, Oct., 1985, 8):
Making friends was the theme of the Masters Games and I made many,
receiving invitations to visit France, Taiwan, and Australia. If there had been a gold medal for
Sportsmanship, I would have voted for the 60s Mixed Doubles pair from Belgium and France.
They waited 15 minutes for their Chinese opponents to show, past the time when they could have
claimed a default, then graciously played the match.
198

The Canadian organization [Chairperson was Detlev Von

Nottbeck] did a great job with the time-scheduling of the events. The
Referee and umpires were very understanding and helpful to those unfamiliar
with the new racket rules and dress code. They even tried to explain the
Expedite procedures to the Japanese.
Of course the Toronto Star, with Royson James reporting, had
several t.t. stories covering the first day of play (reprinted in the OTTA
Update, Fall, 1985, 13-15), and I, Tim, will work what I can from them into
the Results that follow.
Mens 40 Singles: Siegfried Budzisz (West Germany) over Friedrich
Rohde (West Germany, -18, 13, 13. [Siegfried is the father of Jorg Budzisz
Detlev Von Nottbeck
who plays on the Steinhagen Bundsliga team with Eric Boggan.] Mens 50
Photo by Tim Boggan
Singles: Yen-Lieh Chen (Taipei) over Peter Darcy (England), -23, 10, 15.
Mens 60 Singles: John Nieuwejaers (Belgium) over Guohao Feng (China), 19, 14. Sixty-eightyear-old Shigeto Ikedas Standing in his three-man preliminary round robin was #3. But he was
standingwith the aid of a crutch, his left leg having been amputated under the knee. Mens 70
Singles: Yozo Nakamura (Japan) over Nadharu Sumino (Japan), 18, -14, 13.
Womens 40 Singles: One woman that Star
reporter James interviewed was according to her draw
sheet Meridian Beckerman, according to Jamess article
Amalia Bekerman. James says she was two-time
National Champion [of the USSR?] and played mixed
doubles with the leading Soviet male player. [It would be
kind of mixed-up if she hadnt played with a male, right?]
James writes: If the table tennis skills that once made her
a world threat in mixed doubles havent grown rusty with
disuse, the 41-year-old Toronto resident should be in the
finals of the 40 plus division of the Masters Games.
Turns out, though,
her game probably
is a little rusty: she
hasnt played in 20
years, not since she left her homeland in 1965. Still, she did
get a days practice in here at Otobicoke and pronounced
herself ready. But, no, she didnt winwas beaten right
away, 4 and 8, by a Taipei semifinalist.
The Womens 40s winner was 42-year-old Lizhen
Liang (China), a member of Chinas 1965 World
Championship team, who said, I was beginning to get fat and
lazy [shes 52, weighs 90 pounds]. When I was in my
prime, quickness was one of my strengths. Im thankful that I
got this chance to play and win again. She beat her 49-yearold former coach, the 1961 Chinese World Champion Giu
Chinas Giu Zhonghui, the 1961 Chinese Zhonghui, then went on to defeat in the final Mei-Hui Chen
Kuo (Taipei), 7, 14. Womens 50 Singles: the 57-year-old
World Champion, and Sui Mei-Ying
From Chinas 1961 Souvenir Pictorial
winner was a former National Champion, Ursula Fitzgerald
199

(Australia), who said, The incredible three

weeks Ive spent in Toronto have given me the
most fantastic holidays Ive ever had. In the
final, she defeated Yu-Ping Chuang Po
(Taipei), 18, 16. Womens 60 Singles:
Genevieve Rebattet (France) over Kyo
Mizoguchi (Japan), -19, 18, 16.
Mens 40 Doubles: Budzisz/ Valentin
Langehegermann (Luxembourg) over Harald
Todt/Hans P. Wachter (West Germany), 17,
17. Langehegemann was the 1984 World
Over 40 finalist. Wachter earlier -20, 11, 10
stopped Denmarks Freddy Hanson, the 1982
World Over 40 finalist. Mens 50 Doubles:
DEREK WALL (CANADA)/TIM BOGGAN
Mens 50 Doubles Winners: Tim Boggan (USA) and
(USA) over Yoshio. Takura (Japan)/Ken Kerr
Derek Wall (CAN)
(Canada), 7, 17. Mens 60 Doubles:
Photo by Bill Ying
NIEUWEJAERS/PAUL VANCURA (USA)
over Tadashi Tanaka/Masayuki Yoshiki (Japan), -15, 9, 21.
Womens Over 40 Doubles: Kuo/Chin-Hao Huang (Taipei) over Heather Cox (Australia)/
Luz Cadavid Rincon (Venezuela), 8, 10. We learn that the 42-year-old Cox got into the Guiness
Book of Records in 1977 when she played the game continuously for 110 hours, three minutes,
wearing out a number of opponents, men and women. She is a truck driver out of Nambour,
Queensland and is also a corporal in the army reserve. It cost her $6,000 to come to Toronto,
including lost wages. Womens Over 50 Doubles: Kaneko Kujirai (Japan)/Fitzgerald over Marie
Kerr/Joyce Jones (Canada), 14, 18.
Mixed 40 Doubles: Langehegermann/Edith Santifaller (Italy) over Budzisz/Cox. Mixed 50
Doubles: Chen/Yu-Pin Chuang Ko over Ron Bickerstaffe/Kerr (Canada), 11, 15. Mixed 60
Doubles: Kinichi Ito/Kyo Mizoguchi (Japan) over Masayuki Yoshiki/Shizuyo Nakamura (Japan),
15, -9, 19.
I didnt see any Malaysians among these winners, so I have to hope they just didnt play
well enough. Huh? What kind of comment is that? More friendly than youd at first think. Heres
the Stars Royson James to explain:
Malaysian table tennis players arrived in Toronto for the Masters Games expecting to play.
But they werent in the draw. Games president Dr. Maureen OBryan said embassy officials in
Malaysia checked with the government there and then told Ottawa the Malaysian athletes were not
coming because of money. Actually, the players pay their own way, do not compete for their
country, and have no dealings with the government regarding these Games. The six players, with the
help of the Malaysian TTA, raised $25,000, and of course, as Team Manager Chan Foong Keong
said yesterday in Toronto, If there are no withdrawals from the draw, which is the only way we can
be entered, we go home disappointed. The players are so mad they dont want to leave their hotel
rooms.
After these Games had been repeatedly advertised in SPIN, the U.S. had 11 players in the
t.t. field, all men, no womenand, yes, I now have the completed draws, and though theres not a
Malaysian to be seen there, I doubt if theyre still in their hotel rooms.
200

SELECTED NOTES.
*In an Interview (Wiggys, Sept. 25,
1985), Scott Butler said that when he and brother
Jimmy won the gold medal in Doubles at the
Sports Festival, it was something between us that
was really special. We were both playing well and
it meant a lot to us. If either of us had won with
someone else, it wouldnt have been the same.
Scott also indirectly paid homage to his
parents, Dick and Sue, for he said: There is no
understanding of the sport by most parents. They
think of it as a game. Moreover, for them,
repetitive competition costs too much money and
takes too much time and effort. But without
parental support, kids have no chance to
participate in the serious sport of table tennis.
This point is made again when, in
response to the question, How important is a
coach in the development of a player? Scott said,
Really important. If you dont have a coach or
trainer or some adult to guide you, you will never
make it.
NSF Doubles Winners Scott and Jimmy Butler, and
And making it of course means playing
U.S. Junior Olympic and National Girls Under 9
at an international or at least a national level.
Champion Andrea Butler
When asked, Should there be a special training
facility in the U.S. for the top players, Scott answered, It would help if all the top players were
thereEric, Danny, Sean.They would all have to be there to make it worthwhile. Also there is a
level above them that you meet at the Worlds, and that is what you need to play against.
Another question: What does the U.S. need to do to provide the most effective training
conditions at the highest level? Answer: We need to send U.S. teams not just to the Worlds, but to
play in many international competitions. Maybe they could go to Europe, travel the trains, stay in
hotels, and play every weekend for two or three months. Its the only way for us to play at a worldclass level. You just cant stay land-locked in your own country. Thats ridiculous. Look at Eric. He
constantly plays out of the country and he is our best player by far.
**The Butlers have irritated me plenty. Despite what I, Tim, thought and still think was a
very clear understanding that they hold only the Junior Olympic tourney, theyve willfully gone ahead
and are also running a separate eventa U.S. Junior Championship. So now on the same
weekend and at the same venue there are confusing titles and titleholders, and the strength of either
Championship is diffused.

201

Chapter Fourteen
1985: World Cup (Eric Boggan Beats World Champion Jiang
Jialiang). 1985: U.S./Canadian Tournaments (including World Games for
the Deaf, $7,000 CNE, and $3,500 Hoosier Open).
Heres TSP American distributor
Danny Robbins (SPIN, Oct., 1985,
cover+) reporting on the $55,000 World
Cup, played Aug. 22-25 in Foshan,
China:

Danny Robbins

Swedens Jan-Ove Waldner

Chinas Chen Xinhua

From Tennis de Table, May, 91

From Butterfly TT Report

Chinas Chen Xinhua dominated his opponents [well, all but one] in winning the $55,000
World Cup. Only Swedens Jan-Ove Waldner could challenge Chen, extending him to 19 in the fifth
in the quarters. Chen, who can win either by chopping or looping, repeated the remarkable
performance hed put on at the 85 Worlds where hed posted a 12-0 record in the Teams.
In the finals [of this so-called 555 tournament, sponsored by the British American Tobacco
Company] it was Chen vs. Polands Andrzej Grubba. They had met each other during their
preliminary round robin in which the outcome was meaningless since both had already advanced
into Championship contention. In that first match-up, Grubba fell behind, gave up (I have no
chance to beat him, hed say later), and reverted to exhibition table tennishe and Chen
entertaining the packed house of 4,500 with world-class play.
Its difficult to think theres a player that Grubba doesnt have a chance to beat, but Chinas
great chopper/looper made it difficult for anyone to imagine a way Grubba could win.
Chen flips his long-pips/inverted racket on the serve and, if his opponent doesnt attack that
serve or make an excellent placement, Chen follows with a powerful loop. Grubba doesnt have the
kinds of touch that Waldner used to move Chen in and out so well. As a result, Chen easily returned
most of Grubbas topspins and even used them to make his own chop returns more effective.
Although of the two, Grubba was topspinning the most, his shots were actually defensive because
202

he had to prevent Chen from looping. Chen was alternating between following his own serves with
powerful point-winning loops and fooling Grubba by varying his spin on the chops. In the final,
down 2-0 and 17-7 in the third, Grubba again gave up and played another exhibition for the crowd.
The USAs Eric Boggan wasnt originally scheduled to play in this World Cuphe was invited
when 37-year-old, many-time French Champion Jacques Secretin pulled out. When World Champion
Jiang Jialiang heard that Eric would replace Secretin, he told the International Management Group (IMG)
promoting the event that he was afraid to play Eric in his first match. [Afraid? Really? Well, true or
not, it would make a good hype since Eric had almost beaten Jiang at the recent U.S. Open.]

U.S. Champ Eric Boggan

Chinas World Champion Jiang Jialiang

Photo courtesy of TSP Japan

From Tennistavolo

The World Champ and U.S. Champ exchanged the first two games with Eric pressing
Jiangs backhand with his own backhand and driving his forehand well. Jiang was winning points
simply by placing the ball short with touch pushes followed by forehand drives, or by using forehand
drives to move Eric side to side. At 16-all in the third, Eric played strong drives and counters to
Jiangs backhand almost every point and defeated the World Champion at 18.
Eric went on to win his group but lost his quarterfinal match to Grubba. Down 2-1 in games,
Eric began forcing his shots and drew to 13-14, at which point he drove Grubba to the barriers with
a long series of forehands. But the Pole executed a desperation return that caught the edge. That
broke Erics momentum and Grubba went on to take the match
at 18. Eric then defeated Waldner to finish 7th for the third time in
Cup play.
Kim Wan
Canadas talented Joe
From World Table
Tennis, Oct/Nov, 86 Ng who had qualified for
this World Cup by winning
the North American
Championship, had a good
win over last years Cup
finalist, Kim Wan of South
Korea. Ng finished third in
his preliminary group of
four and 11th over all out of
Joe Ng
a field of 16.
Photo by Robert Compton
203

Late Results: Final: Chen Xinhua over Andrzej Grubba, 16, 15, 11. Semis: Chen over Chen
Longcan, 15, 16, 17; Grubba over Jiang Jialiang, 13, 21, -18, 16. Quarters: Chen Xinhua over
Jan-Ove Waldner, -18, 16, 13, -21, 19; Grubba over Eric Boggan, 12, 14, -9, 18; Chen Longcan
over Kim Ki Taek, -18, 17, 12, 13; Jiang over Lo Chuen Chung, 21, 17, 17.
Final Standings: 1. Chen Xinhua (CHN), $16,000. 2. Andrzej Grubba (POL), $7,500. 3.
Jiang Jialiang (CHN), $5,000. 4. Chen Longcan (CHN), $4,300. 5. Lo Chuen Chung (HKG),
$3,300. 6. Kim Ki Taek (KOR), $3,100. 7. Eric Boggan (USA), $2,900. 8. Jan-Ove Waldner
(SWE), $2,700. 9. Kiyoshi Saito (JPN), $2,000. 10. Yoshihito Miyazaki (JPN), $1,800. 11. Joe
Ng (CAN), $1,600. 12. Tommy Danielsson (AUS), $1,400. 13. Atanda Musa (NIG), $1,000. 14.
Leszek Kucharski (POL), $900. 15. Kim Wan (KOR), $800. 16. Ulf Bengtsson (SWE), $700.
Eric Boggan, in a Letter Home to his Parents (Wiggys Table Tennis News, Nov. 6,
1985), writes of his World Cup experience:
(Ed.s Note. This August it had been difficult for Eric, on being picked at the last minute to
play in the World Cup at Foshan, China, to get permission from his Bundesliga Club owner,
Steinhagens Rudiger Lamm, to go there. True, Eric would not miss a Match, butit was the
principle of the thinghe would misspractice. [But wouldnt the Steinhagen Club be getting some
favorable publicity from Eric being one of the 16 entries in this prestigious World Cup?] O.K.,
Eric, said his boss after an hour and a halfs debate, you can go. But youll have to pay the
pricea very heavy fine in U.S. dollars for every day youre gone.)
Dear Mom and Tim,
It doesnt hurt to live aggressively. Im very
happy I took the journey.
Lawless, Shipley and the other IMG-connected
people (crackin good blokes) were very nice to me. Theyre polite, have a sense of humor, and like
their business of calling the shots. Mr. and Mrs. Evans seemed to be having a good time too.H.
Roy even danced a little when he was tipsy before giving way to my tapes, break-dancing, and
circle group-dancing. Mrs. Evans was niceeven rooted for me.
I played very well in spurtsbeating Jiang, who wasnt really himself
all tournament. He played too stiff, went for bad, impulsive shots, made
mistakes. His concentration in his home town wasnt there. Kucharski and
Miyazaki werent in form and I didnt even play great to win.*
The Hall had no air-conditioning and after one game we were all
dripping and had to go for the towel almost every point. The hotel rooms
had high-powered air-conditioning and I dont like sleeping in a cool
breeze. The last couple of days I started to get the horrible sore throat I
have now, and can barely talk.
China has come a long way. The people wear colorful clothes, and
cars, buses, and bikes have replaced the oxen, which plow along in the
country. People are very curious, and Tommy Danielsson [a Swede whos
migrated to Down Under to play for the Aussies] and I had a laugh with the
always amused waitresses. They were always there, watching us, sometimes
getting our autographs. We had to draw pictures once to get a dessert and
these young women were interested and cute, and very happy to help.
Tommy Danielsson
204

We had toast, oatmeal, and eggs for breakfast. For lunch and dinner we could have Chinese
or European food prepared by a cook from Macao. I chose ChineseSzechuan shrimps, corn
soup, fried rice, sweet and sour pork. All very tasty, but you tire of it after a while.Funny to watch
the Chinese tie one on at the banquet before the Games.
A lot of the time I felt weak in the afternoonmy stomach was queasy and I became down.
Hans Kron,** the new Swedish coach, gave me some medicine. Tommy Danielsson is one of the
nicest guys imaginable.We had a lot of laughs and he was there when he felt I needed him.
Unbelievable. Makes me feel good.
I lost to Grubba, 18 in the fourth. Hes a consummate pro and Im not. I was lost,
daydreaming, and got buried in the first two. He knows where Ill play my shots and he keeps the
ball in play. I was in and out, and on and off, weary, at times not completely there. So he won more
points than I did.
Once in a while Id take a walk with Tommy and Danny Robbins to the Friendship Store
(where the appliances werent cheap).I bought some Budweisers (in cans) from a refrigerator,
amazed but happybetter than San Miguel-blah.
Waldner lost 19 in the fifth to Chen Xinhua, who beat Grubba easily. Waldner and I are
good buddies.I wanted him to beat Chen, who is a total class act and an army (invincible). There
were great exchanges. Touch and placement vs. coordination, athleticism, and power.
Waldner and I played too. Our last point, when he went through the motions vs. me, was
hilarious. He lobbed and put sidespin on the ball and I hit the corner to the extreme. He hopped
over the barrier and I eventually smashed the ball into the net on his side to win! He jumped and
locked into me and we crashed into the barriers laughing hysterically.
As Roy Evans delivered his speech,
Japans Kiyoshi Saito
the Chinese fireworks started outside. They
dropped huge rows, which hung from a
building, and lasted half an hour. Then we got
a police escort and attended a nice party. I
chugged a few with Miyazaki, and found
Saito incredibly funnyhe was a loony, really
opened up. The Hong Kong player, Lo, was
very tranquil, engaging, at ease with his
surroundings.
After
the tournament
when I was in Hong Kong, Chiu Man Kuen took me to his office
and gave me some interesting-looking Double Fish antispin.
Naturally I bought a few things in Hong Kong with some of my prize
money.

Hong Kongs Chiu Man Kuen

U.S. Tournaments Through September

Results of the Tri-City Open, played Sept. 1 in Seattle: Open
Singles: Quang Bui over Jay Crystal, 10, 15, 16. U-2000s: Greg
Eng over Bob Mandel, 14, -12, 21. U-1850s: Dave Talcott over
Fred Bartsch, 20, -9, 17, then over Hung Pham, 17, 17. U-1700s:
Jeff Frahler, 19, 19, over Rod Furukawa whod outlasted Nora Ly,
-15, 11, 20. U-1550s: Furakawa, -13, 18, 13, over Paul Johnson,
205

after Paul had survived Eugene Wong, 21, -17, 18. U-1300s: Randa Ly over Bob Melton, 19, 12.
U-1150s: Brian Russell over Arnie Mackey, 15, 15. U-1000s: Gabriel Ortez over Russell, 18, 11.
Seniors: 1. Bob Ho, 5-0. 2. Harold Fredrickson, 4-1. College Singles: 1. Hung Pham. 2. Liana
Panesko.
The Sacramento Table Tennis World (Wiggys, Nov. 27,
1985?) opened its new season by hosting a Fall Open. In the
Open Singles final, Duc Luu took home the $200 first prize by
defeating De Tran. In the U-2000 Singles, 16-year-old Anthony
Streutker, whod won the U-1900s at Table Tennis Worlds
Silver City Open in August, finished first by beating Greg Smith. Jeff Mason coaches Anthony and
seven other juniors four times a week at the club, which is also hosting several leagues during
weeknights this season. Defeating Wayne Lo in the U-1850s final and Kim Tam in the U-1700
finals was Angel Soltero who won Wiggys Sept. 25th Trivia Contest and as a result is now a Life
Member of the USTTA. Leroy Yoder beat Warren Baxter to take the Over 50s.
Harold Kopper (SPIN, Sept., 1985, 8) reports on the July 10-20
XV World Games for the Deaf, hosted by the Southern California TTA:
These Games, held by the International Deaf Organizing Committee
(CISS) and recognized by the International Olympic Committee, are held
every four years. The Games featured over 2000 athletes from 40 countries
in 16 sports. Competitors must have a 55 DB hearing loss and are tested
before they compete. Hearing aids are not allowed during the competition.
The table tennis venue was the Santa Monica City College Gym. It
was an excellent facility with good lighting and a fine floor. We used 12 Joola
tables borrowed from the Alhambra T.T. Club and six Nissen tables from the
Mar Vista T.T. Club. Nittaku three-star balls were used and TSP scorers
were donated by Robbins Sport. One sour note occurred when 150 Stiga
barriers sent from the U.S. Open were misplaced at the Games headquarters
Harold Kopper
and were not found until the last day of the tournament. However, we used
temporary barriers from the Alhambra Club.
Thirteen countries were represented
and 75 players competed. Japan won the
gold medals in all events and West
Germany collected many of the other
medals. Ikushima of Japan won his fourth
singles title. Jochen Leiss, who won the
U.S. Open in 1977, was the coach of the
West German mens team.
Many of the teams had excellent
ITTF coaches, and some of the best
Germanys Jochen Leiss
players were judged to be over the 2200
From 1978 European Championships Program
level. The U.S. team was composed of
beginning players who had trained at the
Olympic Complex in Colorado Springs. They did not fare well as they were matched against more
experienced competitors.
206

The competitors ranged in age from 17-45 and were all friendly and showed excellent
sportsmanship. The Japanese women were moved to tears when they won their medals. The
athletes happily exchanged team pins and flags and collected scorecards and autographs. Some of
the players could speak and others could not. However, all used sign language to communicate.
ITTF rules were followed and very few disagreements occurred. West Germany lost to Japan 5-1
in the Mens Team finals, but all the matches were closely contestedtwo or three points apart
each game.
The SCTTA was asked by Games Director Carol Billone to assist with table tennis. Ichiro
Hashimoto and I became members of the jury for table tennis and served as Tournament Directors.
The Commissioner for table tennis was Harry Dunai (a former member of the Burbank Club and the
Hungarian Team in past Games); his assistant was Joe Weiss. All Commissioners to the Games must
be deaf, and Harry did a fine job of preparing the table tennis competition.
It takes many people to run such an international event and this would have been difficult to
accomplish if there was not a regional USTTA affiliate like the SCTTA. Bob Partridge, an
International Umpire who worked the 85 Swedish Worlds, served as Tournament Referee. The
following people worked for six days: Craig Martin, Jim Yee, Leon Ruderman, Mas Hashimoto, and
Heinz Kittel. All did a fine job, but Jim Yee stood out because of his knowledge of sign language.
While umpiring he could sign his calls as well as speak them. All umpires wore black shirts and gray
pants and club-umpire patches provided by the USTTA. Many SCTTA members obtained their
club-umpire cards so they could help out at the Games. The SCTTA would like to thank Tim
Boggan and the EC for providing USTTA patches and pins for all the competitors. They were
appreciated by all.
Aside from the people mentioned above, many other SCTTA members served as umpires
and scorekeepers. They were: Rudy Kovin, Steve Shapiro, Eugene Taw, Minnie Taw, Lyn Smith,
Stan Frisbee, Diane Frisbee (who served as an interpreter), Alex Heske, Mike Dempsey, Jim
Beckford, Bob Green, David Huo, Kiem Huo, Charles Childers, Rich Livingston, Richard Badger,
Fred Grobee, Richard Friedland, Gunther Pauley, Mary McIlwain, and Roxanne Tomita, a
recreation supervisor from Alhambra (who also served as an interpreter).
Results: Mens Teams: 1. Japan (5-1). 2. West Germany. 3. Hungary. Womens Teams: 1.
Japan (3-0). 2. West Germany. 3. Hungary. Mens Singles: 1. Ikushima, Japan (19, 17, 16). 2. Ito,
Japan. 3. Hirschfelder, West Germany. Womens Singles: 1.Takeshima, Japan (-17, 14, 4, 13). 2.
Tsunekawa, Japan. 3. Stangl, West Germany. Mens Doubles: 1.Ikushima/Yoshida, Japan (-18, 18,
10). 2. Rupcic/Ridinger, West Germany. 3. Tirpitz/Hirschfelder, West Germany. Womens Doubles:
Tsunekawa/Kato, Japan (9, 16, 18). 2. Takeshima/Aoki, Japan. 3. Stangl/Hein, West Germany.
Mixed Doubles: 1. Yoshida/Aoki, Japan (17, -18, 22, 16). 2. Ikoshima/Takeshima, Japan. 3. Ho/
Tsunekawa, Japan.
The Sept. 21-22 Alamo City R.R. (SPIN, Nov., 1981, 18) was sponsored by the San
Antonio TTC, and held on 10 tables at the Fort Sam Houston Recreation Center (an airconditioned facility with a cafeteria on location). Club President Don Geese and Tournament
Director J.C. Tenay thank the many Houston players who loyally support the San Antonio
tournaments, and thank especially Buddy Melamed for his positive statements about this weekends
play.
Winners: A Singles: 1. Saubano Adio. 2. Roberto Byles. 3. Jamaicas Hector Bennett. 4.
Scott Ryan. [More than a quarter of a century later, out of the blue, I, Tim, got a phone call from
Hector Bennett thanking me for a Letter of Recommendation Id written for him about this time.] B
207

Singles: 1. Kyle Drake. 2. Roland Schilhab. C Singles: 1. Martin Vela. 2. Kenny Owens. D Singles:
1. J. Wilson. 2. Pigool (Peggy) Kulcharnpises. E Singles: 1. Wayne Schulz. 2. Paul Dodgen. F
Singles: 1. Marjory Willcox. 2 [ ? ]. A Doubles: 1. Roberto/Ernie Byles. 2. Adio/Bennett. B
Doubles: 1. Drake/James Rautis. 2. Carl Willis/Ryan. C Doubles: 1. Rick Hughes/Puls. 2. Kenny/
Eric Owens. D Doubles: 1. Gene Sargent/William Garrard. 2. Dodgen/Edward Hu.
Wiggys (Nov. 27, 1985?) tells us that
Dell and Connie Sweeris hosted the 9th Grand
Rapids Summer Open, sponsored by the local
club and the Foremost Insurance Company. For
the field of 67 entries, $715 was awarded.
Results: Teams: 1. Scott/Jimmy Butler over Jim
Doney/Bob Cordell, -16, 21, 19. Open Singles.
1. Scott Butler, 3-0. 2. Jimmy Butler, 2-1. 3.
Doney (having returned from college in
Kalamazoo), 1-2. 4. Mike Veillette, 0-3. Class
AA: Final: John Elwood over Hugh Shorey, -13,
20, 10. Semis: Elwood over Bob Dragozetic,
15, 16; Shorey over Mike Baber, 13, -12, 24.
Class A: Final: Clark Yeh over Shorey, 19, 16.
Semis: Yeh over Sam Zeoli, 14, 18; Shorey
over Mark Merritt, 8, 5. Seniors: Final:
Mark Nordby
John Elwood
Guenther Schroeder*** over Larry Su. Semis:
Photo by John Oros
Schroeder over Imants Karklis; Su over Shorey. Juniors: Final: John
Elwood over Clark Yeh. Semis: Elwood over Mark Nordby; Yeh over Todd Meadows.
Bill Su (SPIN, Oct., 1985, 24) covers the Sept. 14th Lansing, MIs Community College
(LCC) Fall Open:
Results: Open Singles: 1. Jim Doney, 3-0.**** 2. Bob Cordell, 2-1. 3.-4. Mike Baber and
Mike Veillette. Doney stopped Cordell 18 in the 5th to finish first. Bob came second, thanks to two
deuce-game winners in a five-game match with Veillette. AAA Singles: Baber over Dave Alt, 17,
13, 18. AA Singles: Dennis Hwang over Mark Artman, 15, 14, 20. (Say Goodbye to your 1687
rating, Dennis). A Singles: D. Alt over Kurt Lloyd, -16, 18, 17, 15. B Singles: D. Hwang over
Ken Hwang, def. (but father Ken/son Dennis won the U-3500 Doubles). C Singles: D. Hwang over
Ward Wood, 17, 12, 16. U-1600s: Dale Nofzinger over Stan Talifero, 12, 13, 22. U-1500s:
Dave Peradotto over Dave Kiurski, 16, 20, 11. U-3000 Doubles: D. Hwang/Tim Pearson
[opponents not named].
U-1400s: Sid Stewart over Bob Enders. U-1300s: Enders over Mark Hoogeveen, 18, -15, 14, 20, 19. U-1200s: Enders over Pat Bryant, 8, 11, 11. U-1100s: New Club
member Mark Morton over Larry Su, 19, 12, 10. (Larry trained in Hong Kong last summer
under Hong Kongs National Mens Team Coach Cheng Chung-Yin.)***** U-1000s:
Morton over Dale Ward, -16, 19, -15, 8, 15. U-900s: Morton over Ward, 19, -16, 12, 8.
Esquires: Wood over Bill Hornyak, -16, 19, -11, 15, 11. Seniors: Wood over Guenther
Schroeder, def. U-17s: Mark Nordby over Kiurski, 13, -21, 19, -18, 13. U-15s: Janine
Schroeder, 12, 16, 16, over L. Su (1021) whod advanced over Todd Sweeris (1648). U13s: Su over Sweeris, 19, -22, 24, 14.
208

Concerning this years

participation in the $7,000 CNE
Open, to be played Aug. 29-Sept. 1 in
Toronto, I, Tim, spoke to Selection
Chair Bill Walktold him Id talked
to the Ontario Associations Executive
Director Ken Kerr about the USTTAs
position with regard to the Team event
at the CNE. I made it clear to Ken
that the U.S. did not want to be part of
a now 6-Team (Senior Men and Women have been added) U.S.-Canada match-up unless some
move (some free hospitality, some free entries) was made towards us. I made the point to Ken that
outfitting 25-30 players and coaches was just out of the question and that even finding, say, 30
matching windbreakers (and USTTA-patching them) would cost hundreds of dollars. Given what
used to be called the Sheep and Swine Building (now the South Industry Building at the East end of
the Coliseum), this Team event didnt seem necessary.
But while CTTA Director-General Adham Sharara at a remove
said he understood, Ken pleaded that his CNE sponsor wanted the
international flavor of the Team competition, wanted this event more
than any other. He said hed check with OTTA officials about the
possibility of helping us. (Of course OTTA President Ned McLennan
did give the USTTA an excellent tape of the 84 U.S. Open and is
expected to give us one of the 85 U.S. Openthat should be worth
something.)
Helping us the Canadians didbut it was nothing to write
home about. They gave us two hotel rooms for Friday and Saturday
nights, one for the women, one for the men (the men cramped four in a
room). Also, free entries for Team members in (What a Sport! said
OTTA President
my son Scott) one event. We in turn dressed upin matching
Ned McLennan
windbreakers with USTTA patches on them.
Photo by Mal Anderson
As you can see from the Team event results that follow (OTTA
Update, Fall, 1985, 8), some compromise was reached there toothere were five team events:
MEN (Canada 5USA 1): Alain Bourbonnais d. Scott Boggan, 19, 17. Ricky Seemiller d.
Bao Nguyen, 11, 8. Joe Ng d. Scott Butler, 9, 18. Bourbonnais d. Seemiller, 16, 16. Ng d.
Boggan, 18, 15. Nguyen d. Butler, 9, 14. WOMEN (Canada 3USA 0): Gloria Hsu d. Takako
Trenholme, 7, 14. Mariann Domonkos d. Ardith Lonnon, 10, 11. Hsu/Domonkos d. Trenholm/
Lonnon, 13, 13.
JUNIOR MEN (USA (5)Canada (4): Danny Poh d. Chi-Sun Chui, 17, 19. Peter Ng d.
Chi-Ming Chui, 9, 13. Jimmy Butler d. Stephane Ubiali, 10, 19. Ng d. C-S Chui, 20, 16. Butler d.
Poh, 5, -15, 16. C-M Chui d. Ubiali, 5, 18. Ng d Butler, 17, 16. C-S Chui d. Ubiali, 16, 19.
[Thats 4-4. The missing result must be C-M Chui d. Poh, n.s.] JUNIOR WOMEN (USA 3
Canada 1): Vicki Wong d. Crystal Daniel, 15, 18. Nathalie Patel d. Michelle Mantel, 15, 24. Wong/
Mantel d. Daniel/Michelle Qurrey, 18, 13.Wong d. Patel, 16, 15.
SENIOR MEN (USA 5Canada 0): Bill Sharpe d. Emil Varden, 17, 8. George
Brathwaite d. Derek Wall, 15, 12. Houshang Bozorgzadeh d. Bill Cheng, 9, 17. Brathwaite d.
Varden, 13, 9. Sharpe d. Cheng, 11, 17.
209

Regarding the Individual

events (SPIN, Oct., 1985, 5),
talk about the persistency, the
murmurous haunt of flies on
summer eves, this CNE Toronto
Fairgrounds venue has had its
own swarms of entries for a
remarkable half-century now.
The $600 first-prize
Mens Singles was won in a 10, 12, 12, 15 surprisingly
uncontested final by Montreals
Alain Bourbonnais over current
Canadian Champion Joe Ng.
Joe, whod beaten Alain 14, 9,
CNE Mens Champon Alain Bourbonnais
Photo by Mal Anderson
7 in the finals of the Canadian
Closed last spring, had just
returned from a highly creditable 11th-place $1500 finish in the World Cup at Foshen, China where
hed downed South Koreas #1 Kim Wan and Swedish expatriate-turned Australian Champion
Tommy Danielsson.
In the semis, Alain rallied to take out former CNE finalist Scott Boggan in five, while Joe
advanced over five-time U.S. World Team Member Ricky Seemiller in four.
Ng did capture both the Mens and Mixed Doubles. He and Bourbonnais won the Mens
after being down 10-6 in the third to Boggan and Lim Ming Chui; and he and Mariann Domonkos
won in three from Boggan and Womens U-21 winner Vicki Wong. For his two finals and a semis,
Scott, whod come all the way from Long
Island, received (out of the $7,000 total
purse) $275.
Domonkos, nine-time Canadian
Closed Champion, won the Womens
Singles over her teammate, the Ottawa
film animator Gloria Hsu, in straight
games. The two also won the Womens
Doublesjust as earlier this year theyd
won the Doubles at the far more
prestigious Commonwealth Games.
Canadian Zoran Zoki
Kosanovic, a former two-time Champion
CNE Womens Champion Mariann Domonkos
here who by the time you read this may or
From Tischtennis, 82
may not be the Ontario Provincial Coach,
did not play. Nor did Horatio (Hory) Pintea, the 1984 Canadian Mens titleholder. Pintea, as it
were, took one computer clue too literally, a la Dungeons and Dragons, and one dark night looked
exploringly where he shouldnt haveand, oh, oh, talk about boners, ended up with a hard cast on.
Poor foot. Poor Hory.
Matches of more than routine interest were: Peter Ngs 19-in-the-4th surprise win over
U-21 runner-up Scott Butler; last-year finalist David Mahabirs 23-21-in-the-fourth squeaker
210

over Jimmy Butler; Bobby Powells wins over Danny Poh (19-in-the-third) and Bert Flisberg
(18-in-the-fourth); Bourbonnaiss first match, a five-gamer against Trinidads Wayne Estwick;
and Esquire Champ Bill Sharpes 14, 20, -21, -15, -16 near upset of U-21 winner Bao
Nguyen.
This years 313-entry CNE was made more interesting by the presence of several visiting
Over 40 players whod been in Toronto the week before for the every-four-years Olympic-like
Masters Games. Foremost among these visitorsWest Germans for the most part, contemporaries
of 69 World finalist Eberhard Schoelerwas longtime Danish Internationalist Freddy Hanson,
former World Over 40 finalist.
Results: Mens Singles: Final: Alain Bourbonnais over Joe Ng, -10, 12, 12, 15. Semis:
Bourbonnais over Scott Boggan, -18, 13, -18, 16, 17; Ng over Ricky Seemiller, 9, 17, -18, 16.
Quarters: Bourbonnais over George Brathwaite, 17, -11, 13, 18; Boggan over Bao Nguyen, 17, 19, 13, 18; Ng over Lim Ming Chui, 9, 11, 9; Seemiller over Freddy Hansen, 18, 17, 14. Womens
Singles: Final: Mariann Domonkos over Gloria Hsu, 16, 14, 18. Semis: Domonkos over Vicki
Wong, 17, 21, 6; Hsu over Takako Trenholme, 6, 9, 2. Quarters: Domonkos over Bye; Wong
over Francine Larente, -11, 17, -21, 11, 10; Hsu over Sophia Gorin, 20, 16, 10; Trenholme over
Lucie Drouin, 7, 12, 6.
Mens Doubles: Final: Ng/Bourbonnais over Boggan/Chui, 8, -20, 16. Semis: Ng/
Bourbonnais over Ricky/Randy Seemiller, -20, 19, 11; Boggan/Chui over Brathwaite/Wayne
Estwick, -15, 15, 13. Womens Doubles: Final: Domonkos/Hsu over Trenholme/Wong, 18, 19.
Semis: Domonkos/Hsu over Sangita Kamble/Larente, 9, 9; Trenholme/Wong over Jenny DanielBranker/Ardith Lonnon, def. Mixed Doubles: Final: Ng/Domonkos over Boggan/Wong, 7, -15, 16.
Semis: Ng/Domonkos over Brathwaite/Trenholme, 15, 6; Boggan/Wong 18, 17 over Chris Chu/
Gloria Hsu whod escaped Scott Butler/Lonnon, -14, 19, 20.
U-2300s: R. Seemiller over Jim Doney, 12, 13. U-2100s: Richard Chin over Peter Ng, 13, 19, 19. U-2000s: Torsten Pawlowski over Chi-Sun Chui, 17, -17, 13. Mens Doubles U2000: Stephane Lucchesi/Stephane Ubiali over C-S Chui/Mariusz Czajor, 20, 17. U-1900s: Mike
Dempsey over Kam Bhatia, 15, 19. U-1800s: Johnny Ng over Marc-Andre Houle, -15, 10, 14.
Mens Doubles U-1800s: J. Ng/Jimmy Yu over Ben Chow/Warren Tang, 15, 19. U-1700s: Tong
Bui over Eric Rothfleisch, -16, 15, 13. U-1600s: William Gruenberg over Daiva Koperski, 16, 10.
Mens Doubles U-1500s: Minh Lu/Gia Ly over Bui/Dinh Tran, 7, 8. U-1400s: Ly over Gary
Pantry, 15, 17. U-1200s: Wilson Lin over Huu-Van Huynh, 17, 16. U-1000s: Huynh over
Anthony Brabrook, 17, -16, 16. U-800s: Joseph Melaschenko over Kenneth Hsu, -19, -18, 15,
9, 18.
Mens Over 60: George Rocker over Jack Diamond, 10, 11. Mens Over 50: Bill Sharpe
over Tim Boggan, 15, -15, 11. Mens Doubles Over 50: Boggan/Derek Wall over Sharpe/Norm
Schless, 16, 16. Mens Over 40: Freddy Hansen over Harald Todt, -18, 19, 16, -17, 16. Mens
Doubles Over 40: Hanson/Ali Elsammaa over Friedrich Rohde/Sharpe, 12, 14. Womens Over 60:
Valentina Subatnikas over Liz Hornyak, 5, 9. Womens Over 50: Edith Santifaller over Margaret
Hzeih. Womens Over 40: Santifaller over Hzeih.
Mens U-21: Nguyen -18, 19, 7 over Estwick, then over Scott Butler 19, -17, 20. Boys U17: Peter Ng over Karl Berube, 12, -19, 15. Boys U-17 Doubles: P. Ng/Lin over C-M/C-S Chui,
14, 21. Boys U-15: P. Ng over Lu, 9, 14. Boys U-13: Trung Le over Lu, 17, 20. Womens U-21:
Wong over Lonnon, 8, -14, 17. Girls U-17: Crystal Daniel over Lucie Drouin, 12, 20. Mixed
Doubles U-17: P. Ng/Wong over Denis Latulipe/Claude Rouleau, def. Girls U-15: Christine Paquet
over Adriana Altic, 17, 12.
211

Dave
Elwoods 220entry $3,500
Hoosier State
Open (SPIN,
Oct., 1985, 18), played Labor Day-weekend at Lincoln Center in Columbus, IN,
was obviously a successthe more so for $500 Open winner Scott Boggan and
$60 Womens winner Kim Farrow. Not exactly an Equal Rights prize-money
payoff, you say, but consider that Womens Doubles (won by Grace Wasielewski
and Neena Patel Nordby) offered 1-2-3-4 teams (8 players) a chance to win at
least some cashand only 6 players showed. Still, $500 for the man, $60 for the
woman.
Dave Elwood
Boggan advanced to
final round robin Open play
after a 23, -20, 13 scare in
the quarters from New
Jerseys Barry Dattel (U2300 winner over U-2100
winner Ake Pettersson from
Lake Woebegon, MN).
Sustaining attack after attack,
Boggan then defeated fivetime U.S. Champion Danny
Seemiller and Hoosier Open
Defending Champ Rey
Domingo in straight games
and Scott Butler in three. I
personally have never seen
Scott Butler play a better,
more aggressive tournament
than this one. On beating not
Danny for second place but
Hoosier Open Winner Scott Boggan
Rey for third, his enthusiasm
was deservedly high. Perhaps
some of the credit for Butlers success can go to U.S. Team Captain
Houshang Bozorgzadehs insistence that Scott sleep while he,
Scott Butler
Houshang, drove hour after hour in the darkness from the Thurs.-Fri.Sat.-Sun. CNE tournament in Toronto to Columbus and Labor Day Monday, during which all eight
Money events of the Hoosier Open were being played.
Riding with Houshang and the Butler brothers was Ardith Lonnon. (Why by the way isnt
she at the Resident Training Program in Colorado Springs?) Maybe she was keeping an all-night
wary eye, or weary ear, on Houshangs meanderings? For in the Womens final round robin play,
Ardith lost a 14, -15, -22 killer to Farrow, and also went down, 18 in the third, to Patel. To win the
Womens, Kim beat Neena, -12, 18, 8.
In addition to coming first in the Open, Boggan teamed with Domingo to take the $300 first prize
in Doubles (an unprecedented $750 award for this event) from Danny and Perry Schwartzberg.
212

Though Seemiller enjoyed a relaxing round of golf with Dell Sweeris before the tournament
started, it was just not gonna be a fun t.t. weekend for Danny. Even earlier, in the 30-team Two-Man
Team eventwhich Danny and Perry won over Domingo and his promising young partner John Elwood
(great experience for John, playing like an equal with such good players)Danny lost a singles match to Rey.
Perhaps the biggest upset in the Open, or, what the hell, in any of the three-day 39 events
was my 50-point win in the eighths over Jimmy Butler. Maybe I learned something about motivation
and control from watching 14-year-old Jimmy swat the ball every which wayyoure never too old
to learn, right?
Certainly I did get a lesson from Guenther Schroeder about trucking in and out Donic
tables. And, oh, would such arrangements have been made for sturdy Donic barriers as well.
Cardboard just doesnt match up.
I was very pleased and grateful though that Dave Elwood, I know at some considerable
personal sacrifice, rose to the occasion and put on a prize-money tournament of more than double
the size and strength of his last one. I want to thank his helpers tooRick Hardy, Warren Goesle,
Mike Etheridge, Joe Shumaker, Charlie Buckley, W.K. Yeh (son 12-year-old Clark is coming along
fast), Dan Wiig, Kim Farrow (nice to have a good player whos also a helper), Bob Gilbert,
Referee/umpire Jerry Button and his Chief Assistant Cindy Marcum, and all those others, especially
Daves wife Ella, whose patient support was essential to making the tournament the great success
that it was. It shows you that, if someone takes the initiative, what even a small-town club can do.
I must say too that Ive never seen such imaginative and attractive fold-up wallet-size entry
blanks. Also, I was impressed that the local Cosco Company-supported ad book could bring in
$1,300. And I liked Dan Reames innovative idea of chummily asking each entrant to point out his
hometown by pinning it on a large U.S. map as he/she checked in.
Indianas
perennial
champion Dick
Hicks was
missing, but it
was good to see
and talk to such
longtime
aficionados of
the sport as
Bernie Hock
and Ed Morgan.
Very
encouraging to
me too was the
fact that there
were a good
Dick Hicks
Bernie Hock
Ed Morgan
many juniors
competing here. Bravo, Angie Shumaker, Sameer Uddin, Tanya Hellman, Todd Sweeris, Janine
Schroeder, Jack Rudibaugh, Tryg Truelson, John Elwood, Make Lauro, and Clark Yeh.
Finally, I was glad Christian Lillieroos could offer a clinic here at Lincoln Centerand I feel
its surely a tribute to Dan Hopper, Bill Hall, Bobby Petty and other Hoosier coaches interested in
working with young players that in the U-17s alone there were nearly 50 entries.
213

Kevin Walton gives us the Open Results from the Northern Virginia Round Robin (SPIN,
Sept., 1985, 23), anda blessing in disguisebecause the National Sports Festival [played July
24-31] took away all our areas 2200+ players, it allowed some of our lesser-known members to
fight for the Open Championship without worrying about the likes of Sean ONeill.
Top seed Larry Hodges was the Open winner. In the one preliminary
round robin, Larry, undefeated, had come first, but not without some difficulty
since he was sick. For most of the day he was exhausted and in some danger
of having to forfeit. One of his critical matches was against Sleiman El-hallal, the
#2 finisher, a consistent blocker/spinner. Finishing third to advance to the final
round robin was Morris Jackson, whose long-pips flipping allowed him to beat
everyone but Hodges and El-hallal.
In the other preliminary round robin, Todd Ingram came first with a 6-1
record, while Reginald Williams and Greg Chamish finished 5-2.
In the final round robin [6 players advancedwith carry-overs in
effect?], Hodges overcame exhaustion to win his last two matches with steady,
experienced play. El-hallal took second. And Ingram finished third by virtue of
Larry Hodges
his win over Morris I want to go home Jackson.
We learn (SPIN, Sept., 1985, 23) that at
the
Fifth
Annual National Veterans Wheelchair
Photo courtesy
Games, played Aug. 8-10 at the University of
of Larry Hodges
Maryland, Stefan Florescu, 58, Of Lincoln Park,
MI, won his fifth straight table tennis title.
Florescu was also the official torch-bearer
who ignited the Ceremonial Cup during the opening
ceremonies in Byrd Stadium. Stef, a lifetime
member of the USTTA, compared the joy of that
moment to his 1975 induction into the National
Wheelchair Games Hall of Fame. The day before
the opening ceremonies, Florescu celebrated his 25th consecutive year in wheelchair sports competition.
Florescu is the founder of the Michigan Wheelchair Games and is currently serving on the
Michigan Commission for the concerns of handicapped people. Florescu has been a quadriplegic
since a diving accident in 1952. It took me four years to get used to being in a wheelchair, but I
dont constantly think of myself as being disabled anymore. Ive just had to subtract a few interests
and add a few in their place.
Stef Florescu

Burnie Douglas (SPIN, Oct., 1985, 21) covers the Loch Raven Clubs U-1700
tournament, played Sept. 15 in Towson, MD:
Of the 51 participants in this second-ever U-1700 tournament, 16 were juniors. Winners:
U-1700: Humphrey Monticeux over Clyde Alvey and Ken Weistein. U-1500: Rodney Warner. U2800 Doubles: Warren Wetzler/Bill Fry. U-1300: Warner. U-1100: Fry. U-900: Evan Davis. Boys/
Girls U-900: Davis. U-800: Cary Schaub. U-700: Brian Horn. Handicap: Davis. U-15: Davis. U13: David Walsh. U-11: David Allen. U-9: Allen.
Mal Anderson (SPIN, Sept., 1985, 23) reports on the July 12th Bay State Gameswhich
he says are the Massachusetts state-level Olympics. Over 20 sports are involved and this was the
214

first year table tennis was included. All five members of the Chui family participatedand all five
won medals.
Results: Mens Singles: Final: Lim Ming Chui over Kurt Douty, 17, 12, 15. Semis: Chui
over Liang Kakliang, 18, 13, 17; Douty over Suguru Araki, 19, 20, -20, -20, 12. Womens Singles:
Ruth Crowley over Marie Chui, n.s. Mens Masters: Bob Oakes over Michael Reterski, -18, 16,
13, 5. 3rd: Nicholas Gangi over Kazimier Zurowski, 17, -18, 19, -17, 18. Womens Masters: 1.
Theresa Wong. Boys Scholastic: Chi-Sun Chui over Chi-Ming Chui, 19, 14, 14. 3rd: Jason Koontz
over Kenny Chen, n.s. Girls Scholastic: Marta Zurowski over Kasia Zurowski, 13, 8, 20. 3rd: Jane
Chui over Melissa Milton, 17, 13, 14.
Kok Liang (SPIN, Oct., 1985, 21) tells us that Boston-area table tennis has a new home at
the Tennis 128 Fitness Club in Burlington, MA. The t.t. club here features showers, sauna, a large
screen TV, and a snack bar. It ran its first tournament, the Tennis 128 Fall Open, Sept. 7-8. Four of
the 12 tables were brand new Stigas and the tournament ran smoothly after David Marcus and
Albert Tam took command of the control desk.
Results of the Round Robin (12 players, two groups of six): Final: Canadas Mitch
Rothfleisch and Lim Ming Chui came out of their round robins. In the first game, Mitch, having
scored via steady exchanges and loop kills, was up 19-16 and serving, but Chui rallied to win, then
took the second as well. Third Place was split between Chi-Sun Chui and me, Kok. Results of
Single Elimination: although in preliminary play both the eventual finalists were upsetLim Ming
Chui (2340) by Kurt Douty (2070), and Rothfleisch (2190) by Chi-Sun Chui (1958)they were
back at it againwell, not quite; this time they split the prize money. Third was Carl Danner. Fourth,
Douty.
The Sept. 21-22 Ben Dattel Memorial
Tournament (SPIN, Oct., 1985, 11) opened the
85/86 season at the Westfield, NJ Club.
Proud President Babe Ruth, er, Luth, points out
they have nine tournaments a year. This one
drew a record 168 entrieswith Christian
Lillieroos and Alan Feldman bringing in some
new juniors on Saturday, and five-time U.S.
Champ Danny Seemiller coming in on Sunday
accompanied by all of his Lake Placid Resident
Training Program regulars. Danny, as National
Team coach, is not only getting his RTP players
into shape but himself as well.
Theyre taking good care of us up at
Lake Placid, said Danny. They found a
Ben Dattel (R) receiving Camp Davis, NC
wooden floor for us, a place to play only two
anti-aircraft school table tennis award
blocks from our dorm, and theyve given us a
Photo courtesy of Barry Dattel
station wagon to go to tournaments. The
Programs expensivebut it must endure. Our best playersthose who are committed to
practicing at least four hours a day and have the discipline to take a three-mile jog around the
lakehave a much better chance of rising to a sustained level of play after months in this Program
than they would have by attending the few spread out one-week camps available to them in the past.
215

Whats that? No, there arent any women training up

there with the menat least that I know of. So,
understandably, what with Vicky Wong and Jasmine Wang at
the Colorado Springs Resident Training Program, and Alice
Kimble much too pregnant to play competitively, the Womens
draw here was relatively weak. Winner Flora Ng, Vicky and
Jasmines teammate at the National Sports Festival (NSF),
survived a first-game scare from veteran Shazzi Felstein in the
final to win (shh, I whisper the amount) $20.
Shazzi, after a two-year absence from tournament play
(hernia surgery and other heavy things), was rightfully very
pleased with her showing. How wonderful, she said, to feel
no pressureand so be able to beat Marta Zurowski in a
Shazzi Felstein
Womens quarters match. She also in another event surprised
and upset Khoi Nguyen.
In shock, too, was Khois brother and fellow Resident Training Program hopeful Khoa
Nguyen (rated 2413), this years NSF Mens Singles runner-up. For, in the very first round in the
Open, after a carelessly-played first game, he lost a deuce-in-the third match to Pal Wessel.
Who? Wessel? Wheres he from?...Norway? Dont look so surprised, said some guy.
Hes been to our last four tournamentshas an established 1999 rating. Looks a bit awkward
but hes tenacious. Beat Bill Sharpe too, three straight.
In another Open upset, Julian Millan downed Steven Mok, 19 in the third. Last time I
played him in 81he was Mo thenI beat him, said Julian. And this time, with all the weight
Ive lost, I thought from the beginning I had a good chance.
The third-round match between Horace Roberts and Barry Dattel, one of the mainstays of
the Westfield Club, might have been upsetting too. (It was Barrys father, Ben, a long-time player,
who was being remembered here.) Robbie, despite what he said was a recurring knee problem,
moved well enough to return many of Dattels best warm-up shots. Barry played well, said
Robbie on winning two straight.
Another officer of the Club, John Andradewell, I dont know if he
even played. But I certainly was struck by the story of how he recently had
been accosted in Newark, NJs Penn Station. Two guys came up to him
when he was minding his own business and without warning stabbed him
twice, then (as if they knew he was the Westfield Treasurer?) asked for his
money. Poor Johnhe was in the hospital for a week.
Perhaps the biggest upset of the tournament occurred in the quarters
when Brandon Olson (after icing away A winner Brian Masters) just edged
out Danny Seemiller. (Mgod, whats Dannys rating tumbled to now?) In the
fourth, Brandon, up 2-1 and 20-18 got four more pointsbut not any one of
John Andrade
them could win for him. In the fifth, after again seeing his end-game lead
dissipate, Brandon, up 20-19 match point, poised, readied himself for
Dannys serve and pushed the return back...to catch the table edge for a winner. Lucky, yesbut
for much of the match, no doubt because hed been practicing hour after hour with Danny at Lake
Placid, he seemed to know just where Danny was going to spin the ball and was right there back
from the table prepared to rip in a backhand winner. Clearly, Brandon is one to profit from
extensive play at Lake Placid.
216

In another quarters match, Schwartzberg beat Wessel three straightbut Pal did win the
Bs in straight games from Alan Fendrick.
On the other side of the draw, 1984 Male Amateur of the Year George Brathwaite was up
2-1 at the turn over Pan Am Champ Brian Mastersbut then Brian began to master The Chiefs
slow topspin, and off-the-bounce conclusively loop-killed him.
In the last quarters, Rey Domingo (does anyone play more than Rey does?) was just too
four-game good for U.S. Maccabiah star Eyal Adini.
In the semis, Schwartzberg downed Olson 3-1which prompted some observers to say
that, at 19, Brandon just didnt have the mental toughness yet to play two straight really good
matches. Maybe. Maybe not.
In the other semis,
talk about mental toughness,
about tenacity, why, Domingo,
having won the first game from
Masters, promptly proceeded
to win the second 21-1. And
then in the third was up 70but why go on?
Lets face it, the
three-game finalDomingo
over Schwartzberg three
straightproved that Rey (is
he 40 yet?) was the fastest
Hey, Brian did get a point
player at the tournament. He
Photo by Robert Compton
should have been with poor
Andrade the night John got mugged. Shades of Reys crook-catching days in Manila: those two
bullying knife-wielders wouldnt have known what hit them.
SELECTED NOTES.
*Id heard that at the 85 Worlds a Chinese coach had told our Team Captain Houshang
Bozorgzadeh that Eric Boggan, whod not distinguished himself by his play there, was not a worldclass player, primarily because of his incorrect or unsuccessful style. But not only had Erics play
in the last couple of years, but this year too, and most recently at this very Cup, proved that coach
so wrong as to make one wonder if hed been drinking too much mao-tai.
And speaking of Jiang Jialiang, Sue Butler, in an interview at the U.S. Open (Wiggys, No.
6, 1985), reported him saying some things that caught my ear. Sue asked him, Are you treated
differently in China now that youre the world champion? He said, No, Im treated just the same.
Probably he meant among his peer players and coaches. But surely not by the t.t.-minded populace.
Sue then asked him, Are the Chinese girls impressed that you are world champion? And he
answered, Yes, even though they dont always tell me so.
Sue said, I understand that China is very strict on dating. Do you have a girlfriend? He
answered, I can date anyone I want and I go out with lots of girls. He also said of his time at the
U.S. Open in Miami, I like the girls on the beach.
You look at your coach a lot during your matches, said Sue. Do you try and focus on
him? [Strange question, since the coach is not legally supposed to be giving him any guidance.] He
answered, No, I am very independent.
217

**The 36-year-old Hans (Hasse) Kron had been involved for

years with t.t. instruction and training in Sweden, and had just taken over as
the new Swedish coach July 1. He decided on only a one-year contract; if all
went well, hed be ready to continue. Regarding his interviews with Sue
Butler (SPIN, Sept., 1985, 22 and Wiggys, Nov. 27, 1985 ?), I was
particularly interested in what he had to say about the following topics:
Sue wondered if, after China beat Sweden 5-0 in the World Team
Championships in Gothenburg, two more years of concentrated effort
Hans Kron
From 1985 World
would produce a better result for them? Kron responded, My feeling is
Championships
that we can beat China with the same players because they are not old [and
Program
Sweden WILL beat Chinain 1989-91-93 with Waldner, Appelgren,
Lindh, Persson, and Karlsson].
Our junior boys are very good, said Kron, but there is a big difference between them
and national team members. Thomas Von Scheele will stay in school and it will be difficult in todays
game for him to keep up his improvement. He is an excellent student and to him and his family,
education is very important. [Six years later, in 1991, Von Scheele and teammate Peter Karlsson
will win the Worlds Mens Doubles.
Kron said Perssons play at the Worlds was
disappointing because he was only thinking, If I play well,
I will get a German contract. Of course he will not win
when his mind is occupied in this manner. Sometimes I
wonder if the players are counting Deutsch marks during
matches. They need to concentrate on table tennis. [Also,
in 1991, Persson will win the Worlds Men Singles.]
Sue asked, When players are really into a match,
is it possible for them to think on a tactical basis or do they
just go to pure instinct? Kron answered: It depends on
the player. I have different thinking on this. For example,
Erik Lindh played Wu Wen-Chia in the Singles and lost.
He said to me, Why am I here playing when I havent
practiced since the World Championships? Of course the
result is going to be obviousthinking like that, he will
have to lose.
Jorgen Persson
Carlsson thinks in another way. He says, I am the
From July 86 World Cup Program
best player. I will win.
In Sweden now, it is very popular to discuss what is happening in our brains when we play
table tennis.
Did it make you angry as a coach, Sue wanted to know, to see someone of Erik Lindhs
ability down 20-3 in the second game of that matchand seeming to hit balls all over the place, just
giving up? Usually, said Kron, I would be very angry, but I was thinking as I was watching. This
is very bad and I have to work on it, but not now. Now is not the time to mention it. I will talk to him after
the match and we will talk of it again with other players as it could have happened to them too. My idea in
that situation was to help him in the next game. He lost that one too but he played better.
When Sue asked bluntly, Do you have problems with some of the players on the team?
Are some of them harder to motivate than others? Kron responded, I was told that Waldner
218

doesnt care what you tell him, that he doesnt listen. But if he was different in personality, maybe he
wouldnt be so good. The same goes for Appelgren.
Regarding Womens play, Kron says, We have a half-time coach for the women, but we
think thats enough. We have separate training camps because if we practice together, the
newspapers always focus on the men. Stellan Bengtsson pointed out that of all players in Sweden,
80% are men, 20% women. Former Swedish coach Tomas Berner said, In Sweden we have no
problem getting the girls to start, but we do have one trying to keep them playing.

***Guenther Schroeder, the T.G. Enterprises Donics

distributor (SPIN, Oct., 1985, 21), has a question and an
answer for you:
Most top players will re-glue their rubber about 12
Guenther Schroeder
times before switching to a new sheet. So its glue, glue,
Photo by Mal Anderson
and more glue. Question
is: What does this glue do?
Many U.S. players have seen Europeans re-glue
their rubber with speed glue, but few understand what the
purpose of re-gluing is. Well, after applying this special thin
glue in heavy layers to your rubber and your blade, a
reaction takes place. As long as the glue stays wet, it
bubbles up, causing the sponge to thicken and soften, which
alters the playing characteristics of the rubber. Speed and
particularly spin is increased since the ball stays on the
racket longer. However, there is a slight loss of control. Reglued rubbers produce a unique sound upon contact.
[Mitch Seidenfeld, in a humorous take on this new-glue
approach, calls this sound a cork sound and the whole regluing process a corking good idea.] According to
Guenther, the re-gluing process has to be repeated every
four to six hours to maintain the maxim performance
effectand then voila!
Even if youre not interested in applying this new
speed glue to your racket, you should realize that for best
results youve got to apply, well, something to it. See the
adjacent Rubber Care article from the Nov. 6, 1985 issue of
Wiggys.
219

****Jim Doney tells me he has

an idea that hes expanded from a
suggestion made about five years ago
by Marylands C.J. Williams:
We need a site in the Midwest
for training table tennis players. This
would be a resort featuring a 4-6-court
tennis club (which would accommodate
a number of t.t. tables) with a
restaurant, a lake for sailing, swimming,
and fishing, a camping area, jogging
trails, and of course a dormitory for the
table tennis athletes.
The players at such a center could
Jim Doney
work at the restaurant and help pay for
C.J. Williams
whatever expenses they may have. If
the players worked together, the group could form a second family and be more motivated to help
the project grow.
What about cost? In the USTTA, there must be some players who are carpenters,
electricians, architects, accountants, and many others who would be willing to work during the
summer to help get the project started and help cut expenses.
Lots of money and many volunteersthats all thats needed.
*****Lawrence Su (SPIN, Oct., 1985, 8) elaborates on opportunities for table tennis
training in Hong Kong:
I spent about six weeks this summer investigating table tennis in Hong Kong. I was
fortunate to learn that there is a special training center, the
Jubilee Sports Centre, where the Hong Kong star players,
including World #7 Lo Chuen Chung, train. The JSC was
designed and built a few years ago specifically as a training
center for ten different sports. It is a large modern facility with
dining rooms (serving both Chinese and Western food), living
quarters for over 100 people, and training facilities all under
one roof. The entire building is air-conditioned, which is very
important in Hong Kong.
It was even more important that my sons Larry and Bobby
were allowed to train with some of the Hong Kong juniors
during our visit. We also watched Lo and other team
members, like Vong Iu Veng, train with their head coach, Mr.
Cheng Chung-Yin. Mr. Cheng has been coaching Lo Chuen
Chung for the last three years and is at least partly responsible
for Hong Kongs 11th-place finish at the last Worlds. Mr.
Cheng was a teammate of Coach Henan Li Ai in China during
the 1960s.
Mr. Cheng has kindly agreed to allow me to bring a group
Larry Su with Hong Kong Coach
of
players, particularly juniors, to train in Hong Kong for a
Cheng Chung-Yin
220

few weeks. Details can be worked out later, but Mr. Cheng has assured me that the cost of room,
board, coaching, and use of the facilities will be around $200 a week. At present I can get roundtrip flights from Detroit for about $800. For those who do not wish to stay at the Sport Centre, I
may be able to arrange for them to stay at my sisters resort condominium which is air-conditioned
and has a private swimming pool.
With the help of various VIPs at the Landing Community College, there is a table tennis
scholarship fund which, to the best of my knowledge, is the first of its kind in the country. The
College will send all contributors a receipt for tax purposes and, for Michigan residents, there is a
law allowing you to deduct of your donation (up to $200) to any Michigan college. This means
that your $100 donation to the scholarship fund may only cost you $30 or less, depending on your
tax bracket.
The Assistant and Program Director of my Department has assured me that the trip to Hong
Kong can be set up as a class to take advantage of the scholarship fund. Players may be awarded
scholarships to help finance their trips. In addition, because this trip will be for a class, participants
will be awarded college credit, the exact amount dependent on how many hours we play in Hong
Kong. [Later, I, Tim, was told that Coach Cheng was going to come to Sus Lansing Community
College in the spring and teach a one-credit class.]

221

Chapter Fifteen
1985: USTTA Concerns.
On Aug. 26, Stan Robens wrote a letter to me and my E.C.
in which he opens by saying that many USTTA members have
an ever-growing concern that our Association is not being
operated properly as a business, that our elected officials
show a lack of fiscal responsibility in the use of the USOC
windfall money for USTTA business matters. The present and
future growth of Table Tennis in this country depends upon
common sense business practices in every aspect of the
numerous activities of our Association. Robens, whom readers
have heard from for a number of years, I feel has done little, in
or out of E.C. office, to further the Associations progress, and
now to hear him as self-appointed spokesperson for the many
saying on the one hand what many have said before him and on
the other saying what, as youll see, is suspect or just plain
wrong is irritating to me. What, right off, does Stan mean that
Stan Robens
my E.C. has not been responsible in the use of the windfall
money for USTTA business matters? What business are we in? And if we are running a business,
were expected to make a profit, are we? And what does common sense say we do to move our
sport? Does common sense say, Were not to take chances in life?
Its true, as Stan says, that its the duty of the powers that be to inform the membership of
the financial status of the USTTA. But given the mistakes of the last administration, and then our
own slow and clumsy adjustment attempts, much has been in flux, especially as we try to ACT in
every conceivable way to move the sport.
In my mid-October Updates to the E.C. I wrote: I repeat the point weve all
acknowledged: that we dont have enough financial control. We need a qualified money manager
one whos week-to-week on top of our accounts, wholl monthly study such accounts, analyze
them, make up-to-the-minute recommendations as to how we might save and spend. As I say, we
need such a trained person (as we need a lot of other trained people). In the absence of one, Lyle,
Sheila, and Emily know weve got to do the best we can, must zero in on responsible 85-86, 8687 budgets. Weve been allotted $62,900 in USOC Development Funds for each of the years
1986, 87, and 88, and Tom McLean, Assistant Director of
Emily Cale
Operations has asked for a general Cash Flow projection.
Lyle assures Emily and me that by the end of October at
the latest, the compilation of our cash accounts at Headquarters,
and the change in our check-authorization process, will be
complete, and our Colorado Springs computer will be able to give
us an instantaneous reading. In the meantime, Ive asked Emily,
working in concert with Lyle, to prepare a list of bills that we owe
as of this moment and the money we have on hand to pay at least
some of them. Turns out we still owe $19,806.50 to the USOC,
and $14,461.05 to others; a total of $34,267.55. Its still not clear
when we might expect the third installment of the L.A. Games
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windfall moneybut I certainly want the E.C. to reconsider whether we want to put ALL that
money into our Foundation.
As everyone knows, I havent, say, Jimmy McClures conservative, cautious nature; I want
to do new things. But finding USTTA support not only for taking risks, being financially adventurous,
but for hiring everyday paid employees so as to at least TRY for progress, continually meets
resistance. The idea of our now being able to USE money, which our poor, volunteer-centered
sport has never had, spawns uncertainty, prompts a fear of unexplored new territory where we
wont necessarily know what were doing. What action or inaction do I take regarding the myriad
number of day-to-day decisions I face that will show I and my E.C. are acting responsibly? Thats a
perpetual question to which I often dont find a simple answer.
Financially speaking, Stan says, the 1985 U.S. Open was a failure. Bringing the Chinese
to the 85 U.S. Open did not produce national advantage to our sport. What does national
advantage mean? The coming of the Chinese didnt bring nation-wide attention to our sport? Did
we all expect it to, and it didnt, so we failedis that a fair assessment? Stan says, The limited
newspaper and TV coverage was not worth the expenditure. Is that why we spent the money to
bring the Chineseto get such coverage? And limited coverage? Reports say we got more
coverage at this U.S. Open than any other.
Now he says, clearly not knowing anything about the matter,
There is great concern that the 1986 U.S. Open will again be held in
Miami. Many feel this will result again in a financial loss to our
Association. As my Nov. 8th Update to the E.C. explains, So far, in
sponsorship for the U.S. Open, which will be held June 11-15, in the
same Miami Beach Convention Center as last year, we have $20,000
from Abel Holtzs Capital Bank, $12,000 from Nittaku, $8, 000 from
the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (VCA), and $7,500
from the Council of Arts and Sciences of Metropolitan Dade County.
When else have we had such sponsorship? Doesnt it seem reasonable
to accept such an offer?
Abel Holtz
We shouldnt be hiring coaches, says Stan. No need for this
hiring racethere wont be enough juniors for them to coach (cause nobodys gonna get more of
them, right?). What coaches does he have in mind we shouldnt be hiring? Liguo and Henan Li Ai?
Jeff Mason whos given us a 377-page Coaching Manual based on his experience in bringing table
tennis into 50 Sacramento schools? Christian Lillieroos whos not only a coach but an
administrator? Stan also says, The USTTA officers hire individuals to perform specific duties and
continue to keep them on the payroll even when they fail to perform. Such insidious talkthe more
so because I for one dont know (does anyone?) who hes referring to.
Ill interrupt Robens here to give readers reason to see why I continue to want to hire
Lillieroos who as weve seen has a table tennis background out of Sweden. Heres a run-down on
his U.S. activities from June to November:
JUNEin New Jersey. I practiced table tennis, lived with John Shareshian, and learned to
know other members of the Westfield Club. I also, at my own expense, went to the U.S. Open in Miami.
JULYI was in Sweden for the whole month. There I worked out agreements with Stiga
that would connect with the base I intended to build at Westfield. There would be a table tennis
school for juniors; an Elite League for the best players; sponsorship in the way of clothes and
rackets for the four coaches Im educating; and sponsorship for the Club itself in the form of Stiga
Expert VM tables available below wholesale price and barriers and scorecards.
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AUGUSTOn Aug. 8 I arrived in Iowa direct from Sweden (my return flight paid for by
the USTTA). I watched the Junior Olympics and lived with the Butlers. A lot of parents were
interested in my work and I met a lot of interesting people.

Ron Shirley and his Copyfast business

After the Junior Olympics, I went to Oklahoma and had one of the hardest weeks Ive ever
had. I worked with two different groups of juniors, 8 in each groupone in a three-hour morning
session, another in a three-hour evening session. After the evening session, I explained for the 4-6
parents who remained why Id done what I did and answered questions. Every afternoon I went to
Ron Shirleys place of business and worked on my specific plans for what Id be doing at Westfield.
On the Saturday/Sunday weekend, I held daily four-hour Coaching/Education sessions, at least one
of which was videotaped, for players, parents, and other interested individuals. On Saturday night, I
arranged a party for my table tennis groups at a volunteers home. A number of parents and kids
exchanged phone numbers and got to know each other better. I lived with a family who had a child
in my clinic, and they were very friendly, even allowed me to borrow a car, but as I left at 8:00 in the
morning and didnt come back until 11:00 at night they didnt see much of me.
I returned to Westfield on Wed., Aug. 21, the one-way plane ticket from
Oklahoma City authorized by President Boggan was much appreciated. [Ron
Shirley, who says hell have 500 boys and girls playing this winter in local
league and tournament play, had asked the USTTA for some help, so
Lillierooss plane ticket was as
much for Ron as for Christian.
Coach Christian
Nancy Persaud also needs help,
Lillieroos
says there are 1,200 Bartlesville,
OK Baptist school kids that ought
to be organized.] On the weekend,
I had Coaching/Education sessions
Joan Fu
(from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) on both
Saturday and Sunday with my four coaches
Shareshian, Barry Dattel, Chris Lehman, and Joan Fu.
On Friday, I came to Columbus, Indiana and
gave Friday night clinics for two groups of 12, an early
one for juniors, a later one for adults. Over the weekend
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I gave lectures on How to Recruit Beginners and How to Train Them. On Monday I played in the
Hoosier Open. The organizer, Dave Elwood, made sure everything went well for me, and paid all
my expenses (helped by $100 authorized by President Boggan).
SEPTEMBERBack in Westfield I was holding clinics every Wednesday and Friday
evening. The participants pay a very small attendance fee$25 every two months (40 hours of
training for roughly 60 cents an hour). The Sept. 6-8 weekend I went to the Lake Placid E.C.
Meeting with Tim.
Returning to Westfield, I wanted to start arranging exhibitions in the local schools. John
Shareshians girlfriends mother helped me start at her school. The Assistant Principal scheduled six
exhibitions for all 1100 students in the school. Unfortunately this turned out to be Hurricane Gloria
day and the exhibitions were canceled, but then rescheduled. I continued with my Coaching/
Education sessions at Westfield, and arranged a Saturday night party for all the players, their
spouses and friends so as to further more social contacts. I continued to make school connections. I
also arranged a Sept. 28-29 clinic in Maryland for my coaches but that too had to be canceled
because of Hurricane Gloria.
[Well see much more of Christian, soon, as I continue to
give him a push-off startand for the next 25 years as he goes about
making a varied life for himself in the table tennis world.]
Meanwhile, Robens goes on with his negativism. Junior
Development is the number one area where the greatest emphasis should
be placed. But hes just said, No need to hire coaches, there wont be
enough juniors for them to coach. Thats hardly forward-looking.
Then he says theres too much emphasis on professionalism
in our sport. Tell that to the ITTFor in a quarter-century to the
$100,000 first-prize winner of a major table tennis tournament. On
June 5, 2013 the ITTF sent out a press release in which ITTF

Christian Lillieroos . . .
25 years later

President Adham
Sharara said, The
ITTF is very proud
to be able to raise
the prize money to
the level where we
are able to see the
money go to the
people who deserve
it, the stars of our
sport, the athletes.
We will continue to
work hard to bring
new partners and
new sponsors to
invest in our sport,
so as to keep raising
the level of prize
money.
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Too much professionalism? What is Stan talking about?

William Simon, President of the U.S. Olympic Committee, said (Newsday,
Aug. 13, 1984) the 1988 Games in Seoul will not hide behind the hypocrisy of
amateurism. In my judgment we will have open Olympics. I think, by Korea, Simon
said. And, if not, shortly thereafter. You know why? Because we have them now. We
have 17 professional soccer players. We have half the Cosmos team here.You
analyze it sport by sport and were there already.The USOCs position is exactly
what mine is. And in basketball, players in the L.A. Games were permitted before the
Games to sign a pro contract, receive money upon signing, and be insuredbut the
Sole Olympic
players could not suit up for a pro team until after the Olympics. Other examples of
emblem
pro players receiving great sums of money abound.
Then Stan complains about SPIN magazine photos. He says in the U.S. Open issue there
were few action pictures. Truea noticeable defect. But what about the previous issue that
covered the Worlds? I counted 65 action shots there.
Then he thinks we ought to seriously consider an Executive
Director. Fair enoughbut I have to remind him he championed Bill
Haid and there was nothing magical about him.
Too much money is being spent without total planning. I agree.
But if action after action demands total planning, how much gets done,
how many options are rejected. No USTTA tournament should be held
where a financial loss occurs. Such certainty can be guaranteed?
Now he says something that really bothers me. Secrecy has
been the by-word in the USTTA for too many years and members think,
This madness must come to a halt. I cant imagine anyone in USTTA
office more committed to openness, transparency, than I am, than Ive
been both as Editor and President.
One last commentand thankfully it is the last: Self-interest
must be eliminated. More to the point: Self-interest, which everyone
has, including spokesman Stan here, must be monitored by checks and
Former USTTA Executive
balances. I therefore take to heart Stans ending line: I expect our
Director Bill Haid
President (and all the members of the E.C.) to review this letter and act
accordingly. Which of course is what Ive done.
Back in Chapter One of this volume Id announced an Oh Do I
Want to Spend the USTTAs Money contest with cash awards to those
who gave me the best eight detailed suggestions Id asked for. Gary
Gotchel of Rockford, IL was the $200 winnerwith other prize-winning
contestants following in this order: (2) Kenny Owens, Houston, TX ($80);
(3) Perry Schwartzberg, Houston, TX ($60); (4) Bob Bowlander,
Millbury, OH ($30); Joan Zishka, Littleton, CO ($20); and Allen
Cornelius, Oklahoma City, OK ($10). As a contrast to Robens critical
negativism, I go now to Gotchels progressive positivism, and will also
bring in other members viewpoints, including mine, where applicable.
Kenny Owens
Photo courtesy of
Larry Hodges

Gotchels in-depth suggestions I have to condense here, but I try

to do him justice. Heres #1: First of all, I would spend the money
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necessary to seek out and to hire the best marketing firm for the sport. I would look for a firm that
has been involved with the success of other sports, a firm that has a successful track record in
knowing how to attract and sell a sport to the American public.
[This suggestion was echoed by the following two voices. Heres the first:
Tim, nothings going on in the sport. All of you on the E.C. are just a bunch of amateurs
doing surface thinking, in danger of thinking youre accomplishing something because youre doing
busy work. You cant go on like this. There are only so many sports dollars, and youre not being
realistic if you think you can compete with the pros and the established glamour sports. Youve got
to create some activity to make people think about table tennis. Youve got to zero in on one or two
programs, thoroughly research them, and find professionals to carry them out. Its not merely a
question of ideas, or plans, for no idea, followed by any plan, is even valid unless you have a
professional to carry it out. You should always remember: What, specifically, does the E.C. need to
accomplish? And what kind of professional person do we need to hire to bring about that
accomplishment?
Heres the second:
I think you should get together with someone in the motorcycle-promoting business. I
raced bikes for about 20 years, and I know that not long ago we had the same lack of image and
direction in motorcycling that TT is in right now. They changed their image, did tons of advertising,
got some money into the sport so riders had something to shoot for, and now motorcycling is big
business. My opinion is that letting our windfall money sit in a bank is not going to help us get this
sport accepted as the tough competitive sport it really is. You need to get some good promotion
group involved, do lots of advertising, let the locals see good players in action, get lots of exposure
on TV and in the papers, and some money for the good players so they can afford to invest all their
time working for the sport.
As Id indicated in an earlier chapter, our Auditor says, very little money is being spent in
promoting the sport in general and in fund-raising activities.
Readers will remember that we aligned our sport with Joseph Potocki and Associates (JP
&A) to see if they could get us some sponsorship, especially to market the U.S. Team and to
support a National Junior Championships. But, after some months and a final, unsuccessful attempt
on their part to get Baskin-Robbins interested, we had to sever our connection with them.
We then approached, I believe at Pat ONeills urging, BursonMarsteller, the countrys #1 Public Relations firm with a net income last
year of $84,000,000 and over 1500 employees.]
Gatchel continues with his #2 suggestion: I would then spend the
money to retain this firms services and then allocate money for an
improvement plan. I would follow it through to whatever scale the USTTA
wants and is willing to spend.
[Pat ONeill, Mel Eisner. Jay Harris, Roger Sverdlik (he has an
advertising background), and I attended a meeting with four B-M
227

Roger Sverdlik

Management people (one of whom was Nancy Reagans former private secretary) who convinced
us that they were high-powered professionals and that we could profit from their services. Later, on
Dec. 15th, at our Winter E.C. Meeting, B-Ms Michelle Hartz addressed us. After an explanation of
her companys operations, she proposed a three-phase program:
(1)
Using TV spots and any other suitable means, create in the minds of the public an
awareness of the sport (as opposed to the game). This would take approximately six
months, at a cost of about $10,000 a month.
(2)
Work on membership increase by means of endorsements, joint ventures, etc. This
would last for 18 months, at a somewhat greater cost.
(3)
Center on Olympic endorsements, the 1988 Olympic Games being the key selling
feature. There would be a further increase in costs.
At this point, as weve seen from the meager ITTF participation allotment given to North
America, we couldnt be sure wed even have a USA team in Seoul in 1988. Although there was
general E.C. agreement on the need for improved and extensive public relations, it was felt that the
cost of this program was just too much for us.]
Gatchel suggestion
#3: I believe the
foundation of our
organization should be
made up of strong affiliated
clubsI think those clubs
doing the most for the sport
should monetarily be
rewarded for their efforts.
Judgments would be based
on: how many sanctioned
tournaments the club held;
how many entries each
tournament drew; the
number of exhibitions the club gave in shopping malls, schools, etc.; the increase in club and USTTA
membership; and any other efforts the club made to increase the popularity of table tennis in their
area. Clubs could do whatever they wanted with the money awarded: make improvements to the
club; sponsor players to tournaments; sponsor juniors to training camps; pay members for work
done; purchase new tables or barriers for the club.
[This question of the USTTA helping the clubs is unsettling, particularly when you see the
state some of them are in. (As of July 31, we had a total of 226 affiliated clubs.) Here are excerpts
from a Club Survey that appeared in my Up Front column (SPIN, Sept., 1985, 11;18). I note here
clubs (sometimes its a stretch to call them that, and how many out there are like them?) who are
struggling but have at least one caring member crying for help. What am I as a President who has to
set priorities, who wants progress, to do with these voices that come from a triage of wails and
confusion:
One club, reversing the almost overwhelming pattern of other clubs, has 10 members and
20 active players; another, 7 members and 25 active players. If an active player isnt a
member, what does a membership mean? Is it for an inactive member?
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Another club says it has 75 active playersbut only two women and one junior. No, its
not an old folks homeor is it? [Many clubs dont want to encourage juniors.]
One club with 12 active players has a problem. They play in squash courts, surrounded by
white. [And of course how many players play on any kind of club floor or table imaginable?]
One club has only one table for 30 members, 15 active players.
[With regard to our club] many times weve been down to three players. We are doing better
now with 10 active players. We dont have many to coachbut I try to teach good basic strokes and an
athletic game. This is hard to do because some of our better players (rating wise) are junk players and
confuse the beginners who then become junky too and practice bad grips and bad strokes.
Our membership numbered 80 for a while. But the club was forced to move at the end of
1981 and the membership dwindled down to a dozen or so active members. The new facility was
unsuitable for table tennis.
We had a much larger club through the 70s because we had a place to play which could
hold eight tables. Our club would grow if we could find and afford a larger place, but we cannot.
We do not have enough juniors (6) but really cannot handle many more players on a regular
basis with only one night of play. [Another club (2-12 players) meets once a week because twice a
week is too much for two officers to monitor.]
We experience apathy among players concerning administrative responsibilities. Our faculty
sponsor is somewhat apathetic and is ignorant concerning t.t. in general.
The most serious drawback to our operation is the city shutdown of our high school club
each summer. We lose many members then and therefore must recruit intensively in the fall to meet
minimum attendance requirements.
We started a Boy Scout Exploring post for youth. Coached 7 juniors for six months but
other sports competed for their time, and they dropped out of table tennis.
A university gave our club time in the old Student Union. They put a three foot by three foot
ply-board sheet at each end of the three tables and told us we would have to stay on those boards
while playing. It was their way of telling us they did not want the floors messed up.
This will be the third or fourth time I have described our club in detail, but I have received
nothing in the way of help or assistance from the USTTA. I am currently a 1414 player, have raised
my rating from 1158, and have been the top player in our club since it has started.
My wife and I in running our club thought initially
we might make a small profit. We rent a second floor
room. The rent and utilities are reasonable so I can hang
on for a while until the clientele increases. Our location is
not the best as there is a disreputable bar located next door.
Our club champ was not our best player by far, but he was there
every weekwhich is the purpose of the ladder system. Our best player
is rated 1800; our club champ is 1078.
Publicity is a constant problem. We cannot get tourney results or
notices in the papers at all. [Danny Robbins thinks that Publicity Guidelines
Clubs not going so good ought to go out to every USTTA club. He says we have to educate club
players and officials how to work with the media people. Such players and
officials are often so amateurish they just dont know how to take advantage of all the exposure they
could easily get.]
We need more space and are in danger any day of losing what we havetwo tables for
eight regular members. The USTTA has been more hindrance than help over the years. It demands
229

much and provides little. The USTTA should do away with the requirement that tournament participants
be members or buy permits. We pay tournament fees and we have attracted many members to the
USTTA [including the eight who play regularly at your club?].We would have attracted far more [than the
many youve already attracted] if the USTTA were not such a petty, protectionist organization. There is
little doubt though that little minds and little programs will continue.
In response to the USTTA question (What can our Association do for your club?) I
believe that clubs have to solve their problems on their own. [Of course club after club could use
financial help.]
We are a small club with seven regular members in a remote area for T.T. Our club held
three tournaments this year, two open and one state championships. All three were very successful
for us, drawing about 40 players each.
If this small club has no trouble running a tournament, is it so difficult for others? I can see
from the excerpts above that in a number of cases the answer is Yes. But, important though a
good many of our clubs are to the Association, as Jimmy McClure points out, We cant finance
club after club that needs our help. To which Id add (cruelly?) that Clubs that dont shape up Im
not anxious to have in the Association. As it is, we have a terrible image. Weve got to get some
Class into the Sport. Another point of view is that I shouldnt try in any way to penalize clubs, just
reward them when of course they show theyve been quite successful or have demonstrated
significant improvement (in, say, club location, appearance, membership)and reward them not
with a years re-affiliation but with, say, a robot. But what about those official clubs that cant be
rewarded, are just embarrassing? Perhaps we ought to have a Directory of Clubs but only those
that meet a USTTA standard.]
Gatchels #4: I would
allocate money for the
penetration of Table Tennis into
the educational systems. I would
target the middle and high
schools to make sure the
students are correctly taught that
Table Tennis is more than a
game, its a sport. Table Tennis
Manuals (or Kits) would then be
distributed to the teachers.
[Some with experience
say that school athletic directors
arent looking for any new sport
like Table Tennis to be
introduced into schools because
Jeff Mason and class
then union rules would require
Photo by Joe Holman
that the teacher/coach be paid,
and the average athletic directors having enough trouble as it is living within his budget. But of
course others, continuing to come up with what school connections they can, are hopeful. Coach Jeff
Mason, for one, with the advantage of having his own Table Tennis World commercial club, has
apparently made great inroads in Sacramento schools, particularly with elementary school children.]
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Gatchels #5: I believe the best format of play for all clubs are leagues based on European
models. Representing a team (sponsored or otherwise) gives the player a reason for coming to the
club and a sense of belonging. Teammates are very supportive and their encouragement gives
players the incentive to play well.
[On Sept. 27, a number of usDan Simon, his wife Patti, Stigas John Laring, Tim Boggan,
Mel Eisner (former longtime President of the Greater New York Table Tennis League), Dennis
Masters, Jay Harris, Christian Lillieroos, Westfield, NJ Club President Ron Luth, and Club
stalwarts John Andrade, Barry Dattel, Joan Fu, Chris Lehman, and John Shareshianall met at the
Westfield Club to discuss the possibilities of forming at least the beginnings of an Elite-Player North
American League. The participating players, at least to begin with, would come from the Eastern
part of both the U.S. and Canada.
The primary purpose of such a League would be to get Table Tennis repeatedly on
Television. We all agreed wed have to change our Ping-Pong game image, have to showcase our
sport. Without TV were hurtin. To get sponsors we must have titled players playing in this
LeagueU.S. Champions and foreign stars. The sport must be shown to millions of people, shown
at its best. The League must be prestigious. (Other kinds of leagues of course are possible and
valuable, but were not talking about those here.)
Naturally everyone at the Westfield meeting recognized that it would take some
considerable fund-raising work to make the League happen. All 8 teams would play one another
both at home and awayeach of the 14 ties to consist of 7 European League-like matches: 4 mens
singles, 1 womens singles, 1 mens doubles; and 1 mixed doubles. A roster would consist of: 3
regular players (2 men, 1 woman), with 1 alternate man and 1 alternate woman on call; a
combination coach/manager; and a promotion-minded tournament organizer.
Each team would have to raise thousands of dollars. To play just one weekend in
Ottawa, say, would cost a New York City team maybe $3,000. Of course if two separate ties
in regions close together could be combined on one weekend, costs could be cut. To buy TV
time a sponsor would have to have an answer to his question, Whats in it for me? (This is
obviously the same question the best players in the U.S. and Canada would ask.) Moreover,
since any sponsor would want to see these League matches played before spectators, the team
organizers would have to have some expertise in getting local fans out for the ties. (Someone
suggested college campuses might be good venues, for internationally-minded students in
residence might have some interest in watching table tennis players with different styles, from
different cultures.)
Would the manufacturers help? Stiga, in addition to offering their support in the way of
tables, barriers, and scorecards, said they might be willing to sponsor one team.
But no full sponsorship support was in the offing.]
Gatchels #6: I would allocate money for the formation of University Grants ($10,000 and
$20,000). These grants would be awarded to Communication Departments for their production of
Table Tennis films. The students would actually study the best ways to film a match. Using different
camera angles, slow motion and stop action, they could better capture the action and the skills this
sport requires. With voice-over analysis, play by play dialogue, and interviews prior to and after the
match theyd be better able to inform the viewer on the tactics used in the game. We would need
both a 3-5-minute intro film and a 30-minute film showing highlights of exciting play that wed hope
would be good not only for schools but for cable TV networks.
231

[Perhaps Gary Ruderman and Dave Strang could be available as consultants. Garys going
to do a 1-minute promo film for us.]
Gatchels #7: I would create a table tennis Promotional newsletter to go out to each of the
clubs every Quarter. It would provide ideas and programs to help the local clubs raise the interest
level in their areas.
[Headquarters as a Publicity Center is a good idea. Still, the clubs would have to provide
the manpower for the personal communication needed for progress.]
Gatchels #8: I would create another full-time position of prominence. Volunteer help is
great, but we will never get anywhere unless more full-time help is devoted to seeing ideas through.
[Well, I (1) certainly want the USTTA to help those who look to contribute and (2) am
willing to take on more employeesas long as they can prove their worth.]
Some attention was
given by SPIN (Nov.,
1985, 20) to Fred
Teppers write-up of a
table tennis
awareness clinic given to
1000 or more attendees
at summer youth camps
in Hendersonville, NC.
Especially singled out
was the prestigious Blue
Star Camp where
Freds daughter Cindy,
Fred Tepper
Cindy Tepper
Greg Chamish
well-schooled in the
Photo by Sue Butler
basics of the sport, and
a good communicator, was a Counselor for four weeks in Table Tennis. Assisting her in staging a
couple of exhibitions for the children (on a Butterfly table loaned by the Martin-Kilpatrick Co.)
were Fred and two players, Mike Heisler and Greg Chamish, who made the long drive over from
the Baltimore area. I wanted to help Fred who, as weve seen, has been an enthusiastic supporter
of Table Tennis, but in hindsight I think it indulgent of me to have authorized $342.28 in car- rental
costs for this group. [It was right of the E.C. to insist that these costs, and also some others,
including the $200 Id given the Chui family to go to the Junior Olympics, would have to come out
of my Presidential Discretionary Fund. Tim, they said, You have to be more selective in using such
a fund.]
Much more attention was given by SPIN (July-Aug., 1985, 18) to Woodland Park, CO
Goes Nuts Over Table Tennis or what Tom Wintrich calls the USTTAs most successful junior
table tennis program to date:
Sixteen classes consisting of 450 elementary school kids in this mountain community, ages
9-13, participated in the three weeks of instruction offered during their regularly-scheduled P.E.
232

classes. The kids also participated in intramural table tennis immediately following the school day, as
well as parent/child sessions held four nights a week. Organizational credit for this undertaking must
go to USTTA National Program Director Bob Tretheway and Woodland Park Elementary Physical
Education Director, Marg Corso, who was invaluable to the programs resounding success.
Scott Preiss of Tucson, AZ, the
USTTAs National Junior Development
Chairman, was selected as the head
coach of the program, and he quickly
proved the wisdom of that decision.
Preiss put in 13-hour days and the
students elevated him to near-idol status.
By the end of the third week, he could
barely leave the gym with all his kids
crowding around him. Its not an
exaggeration to consider Scott Preiss as
the USTTAs best coach for developing juniors.
After two days of learning how to grip the racket, familiarizing themselves with the ball
bouncing on the racket, and the importance of preparatory stretching and jogging, they made rapid
improvement and were eager for competitive play at the programs end.

Sean ONeill (L) and Scott Butler in their elf-sized days, being interviewed for TV by John Schneider
Photo by Neal Fox

A special talent of Scotts is his ability to convey the intensity of the sport to youngsters.
With the aid of USTTA video tapes and photos in the World Championship issue of SPIN, the
children saw USTTA juniors and world stars in action while Preiss explained what they were seeing.
They especially enjoyed watching Scott Butler and Sean ONeill competing during their elf-sized
days. During their own tournament play they exhibited emotions similar to the worlds best, including
a few joyous leaps in the air, a la Kim Wan. More importantly, they were just having a lot of fun.
233

Scott Preiss was ably assisted by Ken Reynolds and Debbie Moya of
Colorado Springs. There are now 94 Woodland Park USTTA juniors and the
best possible way for the Association to say thank you to the participating kids
and parents is to continue supporting their table tennis interest with more
USTTA-sponsored programs.
Not only was Preiss for his exceptional service given an earlier agreedupon remuneration but a surprise plane ticket to the Miami U.S. Open. When
later he asked to do more work for the Association he was offered $5,000 (not
budgeted) to work with McClure and manufacturers in order to introduce table
tennis to tennis clubs. [Although this appeared to be a done deal, Scott was
never hired.]
Because Wintrich himself enjoys Coaching, I encouraged him to write
the following somewhat off-beat article (SPIN, Sept., 1985, 12) that illustrates
the hobby that was once a passion with him:

Debbie Moya

Go!
The student pushed off, assuming a spread-eagle position. Quickly he reached the end of
the static line which automatically deployed his parachute. The backpack ripped open and the
spring-loaded pilot chute popped up, immediately grabbing air, creating the resistance to pull out 24
feet of lines connected to a 28-foot diameter canopy. Within three seconds, while I leaned halfway
out of the plane, I saw my student dangling beneath his parachute on his peaceful descent to earth.
He was in control now and me, the jumpmaster, the coach, sat back down in the plane.
Sky-diving coaches mature much faster than table tennis coaches. At that time I had but 48
jumps to my credit, 21 of those being 30-second delaysthe standard time we free-fall crazies
utilize to enjoy the most individual of individual sports.
I had started
training my good
friend, a fraternity
brother, after my
33rd jump when I
had qualified for my
FAA Class B
parachute license.
That gave me the
privilege of
supervising student
jumps. Although I
did not actually
become a
jumpmaster until I
Tom Wintrich flyin high
qualified for Class C
Photo
by William H. Beetle Bailey
status, some 60
jumps later after making the mandatory night jump, water jump, 45-second delays, and 60-second
delays from 12,500 feet. I retired from skydiving at jump 190 just before advancing to the coveted
Class D or expert rating, about equivalent to quitting table tennis at the 2300 level. Yes, I was good.
234

But back then, at that moment in the plane, while watching the sun set on Albuquerques
Manzano mountains, I felt the deep satisfaction of coaching someone through a very self-satisfying
experience. I had shared my knowledge for another persons benefit. Thats the real joy of
coaching.
Then it was my turn to jump and frolic with my experienced buddies, Bobby and Beetle.
During my gentle return to earth I pondered my first students first jump. He had a lot to
learn before he could play in the sky like we just did, but I was excited about personally guiding him
through the development. I stuck with him for his next 20 jumps, through the rest of his mandatory
static line exits to full-fledged free fall, the first goal of all space parachutists. It was an intense
experience in my life and by age 20 I found myself capable of instilling confidence in someone else,
while teaching them to enjoy and improve on something they loved to do.
Coaching table tennis is no less satisfying and just might be more difficult, for I never met
anyone who couldnt fall. Still, I never met a skydiver that taught himself how to jump.
Nor have I ever seen a good table tennis player who hasnt been coached. We marvel at
the Chinese, but they have no secrets or success other than their willingness to adapt to change, and
their abundance of coaches. Their coaching system produces the players and there is no reason the
USTTA cant do the same thing.
The only real thing wrong with table tennis in this country is that too few people play like
we in our Association tournaments do. But coaching can affect the situation dramatically. Offer the
opportunity for 450 kids to be introduced to the game like in Woodland Park and theres a good
chance 50 of them will stick with it if instruction is ongoing. Even the 400 who drop out can be
important to the USTTAs growth because they become potential spectators in the future, simply as
a result of their firsthand experience playing the game under USTTA guidance.
SPIN (Oct., 1985, 13) shows photos of the 10 young players (five boys, five girls)
accepted at the first Resident Training Program (RTP). This Program is the best example of the
USTTAs acceptance of the need to help its promising players.
As you can see from the
following Open Letter by Betty and
Yim Gee (SPIN, Oct., 1985, 17),
enrolling in the RTP at Colorado
Springs is not just a big deal for the
players but for their parents:
Dear Daughters:
On the eve of your
departure for the Resident Training
Program (RTP) at the Olympic
Training Center in Colorado
Springs, there are many fond
thoughts flashing through our
minds.
We are so proud that you
are our daughters. We are so
proud that you are beautiful girls.

Yim and Betty Gee

235

We are so proud that you are each loving persons full of vitality, dreams, and accomplishments.
Even though you are teenagers you are adults in our eyes.
You have accomplished a great deal in the tender years of your life. You have been loving
sisters, daughters and grandchildren, outstanding students, good friends, world travelers, and table
tennis champions. Your decision to take part in the RTP indicates that you want more for yourselves,
that you have set higher goals to attain. That is great and you have our full support.
Being away from home will help you each to
become the kind of person you want to be: an individual
who knows and seeks what she wants; a person who can
get along with herself and others, an individual who can
think independently and take care of herself, a person who
values friendship, love, happiness, competition, education,
and career.
In the next nine months you will be pursuing
aspects of the goals you have set in your personal
development: spiritual/ethical, mental/educational, financial/
career, social/cultural, and health/sport. Please review
these goals often and update them if necessary. Dont be
afraid to dream and set higher goals for yourselves.
Remember, champions, successful people, are not born
that way, they make themselves.
Take pride in your demonstrated accomplishments.
Love the people around you, have confidence in yourself,
be cheerful and enthusiastic, and you can accomplish
Lisa and Diana Gee
greater things in the future. Be humble before God and
remember to give thanks for his blessings.
Love,
Mom and Dad/Betty and Yim Gee

236

Chapter Sixteen
1985: October Tournaments.
Results of the Sacramento Columbus Day Open: Open Singles: 1. Enrico Li. 2. Masaaki
Tajima. U-2200s: 1. Tajima. 2. David Chu. 3. Angel Soltero. U-2050s: Steve Varela. 2. Chu. 3.
Anthony Streutker. U-1900s: 1. Streutker. 2. Peter Graves. 3. Al Senter. U-1750s: 1. Graves. 2.
Senter. U-1600s: LeRoy Yoder. 2. Warren Baxter. U-1450s: 1. Baxter. 2. Dave Mandell. 3. Dan
Goodwin. U-1150s: 1. Ken Frankel. 2. Curtis Lunsford. Over 40s: 1. James Ritz. 2. Don
McDermott. 3. Tom Li. U-15s: 1. Jim Goodwin. 2. Taro Arai. U-13s: Sam Seo. 2. Keiko Arai.
U-11s: 1. David Levine. 2. Paul Acias.
With regard to the Albuquerque, N.M. Team
Tournament, held early in Oct., Tom Wintrich (SPIN, Nov.,
1985, 13) tells us about his youthful team members, Rebecca
Martin and Chi-Ming Chui, their Colorado Springs
Headquarters-based driver Janice Clarke, and the teams
respectable finish at this tournament:
Rebecca (Becky) Martin, who will celebrate her 13th
birthday Nov. 25, likes her Britylams. Britylams? Explanation:
The first part of this coined word refers to Brian Masters, her
favorite table tennis coach, and the second part to Canadas
Bryan Adams, her favorite rock star. As an early birthday
present, the USTTA through SPIN magazines travel budget,
was generous enough to buy her the singers latest cassette.
We had to listen to it en route while Becky talked about the
table tennis Brian.
Martin was the youngest player selected to participate
in the USTTAs first Resident Training Program at the Olympic
Training Center in Colorado Springs. By virtue of that
selection she became the youngest athlete in residence of any
L-R: Rebecca Martin, Janice Clarke,
and Chi-Ming Chui at New Mexicos
Olympic sport at Colorado Springs.
famous Taos Pueblo.
Beckys not always the youngest, however. In her
Photo by Tom Wintrich
family shes the oldest of four children, the eldest daughter of
her parents Roger and Rebecca Martin of Strafford, N.H. Her parents and brother Nathan, 9, are
also USTTA members.
Becky started playing table tennis at age seven with her father. Her first table was the one in
the kitchen, but she soon graduated to the real thing. Besides Brian Masters, shes also been
coached by Igor Fraiman, and of course Henan Ai, head coach at the RTP. Becky currently holds a
1428 rating and is ranked #2 nationally in Girls Under 13.
Martin recently left the RTP [left the sport itself?] for personal reasons and is hoping to
return next year. In the meantime, Happy Birthday Beckywe miss you.
Chi-Ming Chui, 14, represents one-fifth of the Chui table tennis dynasty of Bedford, MA.
Father Lim Ming has long been a national-level player and was a U.S. World Team member in
1975. Younger brother Chi-Sun, 12, a shakehands player, is the #2 U.S. Boys U-13. Sister Jane,
10, and mother Marie are also USTTA-rated players.
237

At Albuquerque, Chi-Ming got off to a bad start,

losing three matches and about 80 rating points, all
before lunch. During the noon meal break, he was
depressed and moaning after each bite of his
cheeseburger and fries, groaning between sips of his
orange-soda float, and still complaining when he took on
a sundae for desert. Surprisingly, he was just as worried
about getting his homework done. I thought for sure our
teams #2 player was lost to depression. It would be up
to me and Becky to save the day.
Eating, I realized later, is an ongoing concern of
Chi-Mings and with a full belly he is a content young
man and definitely a better player. He forgot his
Chi-Ming Chui at study
mornings disappointments and proceeded to win all his
afternoon matches except one, a respectable loss to a
player 100 points above him. Between ties and even between matches of ties, he was doing his
homework, quite reluctant to let go of his geometry book. Indeed, in a must-win tie for us to make
the semis crossovers, Chi-Ming carried his textbook to the table and placed it beneath it. He then
beat Albuquerques Les Enslin, a cagey phantom/inverted bat-twirler of equal rating to Chi-Ming.
Young Chui employed a simple threefold strategy: smash balls by the opponent with consistent pips-out
hitting, shake hands at matchs end; and pick up the geometry book. He used the same game-plan against
Lang Ho, another combination-bat player, won the match and with it the tie, and we got the semis spot.
But then with a 5-4 loss we missed out on the chance to play for the title. And we didnt win
the play-off for third either. But then we didnt play. I argued that we had already beaten our
opponents in preliminary competition and should be awarded Third-Place based on head-to-head
competition. Chi-Mings viewpoint had nothing to do with table tennis. He just wanted to eat
pizzaright away. Graciously we volunteered to leave early and start the tab at the tournament
party. You can guess who was first and last in pizza competition.
With most of his lost rating points won back, his homework done, and, more importantly,
his belly full, Chi-Ming was content again.
Janice Clarke, 21, our driver, began her journalism internship with the USTTA in September
and of course she had no idea her job description would include being chauffeur (using her own car
no less), team trainer, and chaperone.
Janice, a Canadian from Montreal, Quebec, is a University of South Carolina (USC) senior
majoring in news editorial journalism. She excels in proof-reading/editing copy, and is responsible
for eliminating numerous typos from the last two issues of SPIN. She well deserves her listing in the
magazines credits as Assistant Editor. Janice also has been producing a publicity guide for the
USTTA affiliated-club Resource Manual.
Janice is not a table tennis player despite a few lessons from Gene Lonnon. But her athletic
accomplishments exceed those of any of the table tennis players in residence at Colorado Springs.
She barely missed winning a spot on the 1980 Canadian Olympic Swim Team by just fractions of a
second. She attended USC on an athletic scholarship and became an All-American at the 1984
NCAA Swimming Championships. Her specialties were sprint freestyle and butterfly, and she
helped her USC team finish 12th nationally in March of this year.
Janice concludes her internship with the USTTA in December and will return to Columbia,
S.C.
238

Wintrich also reports (SPIN,

Nov., 1985, cover) on the Oct. 12-13
Colorado Springs Open:
Insook Bhushan, five-time U.S.
Womens Champion, offered little reason
to doubt shes still the USAs premier
woman player despite a two-year layoff.
Nevertheless, she doesnt look like the
Insook of the past, but its her physical
appearance that has changed, not her
game.
After giving birth to her son nine
months ago, Insook underwent oral
surgery to correct an overbite problem
Insook Bhushan
that had plagued her with headaches. She
had teeth removed, her jaw restructured, and her mouth wired shut for six months. The end result is
a new look for Insookthough aside from a temporary weight loss, it doesnt extend beyond her
face.
At the table its the same Insook weve long admired, with the exception that her physical
stamina is noticeably lower than the last time she competed. Undoubtedly thats a temporary
situation and it wasnt enough to stop her from continuing as Colorados best player and the winner
of the 1985 Colorado Springs Open with but the loss of a single game.
Mark Kennedy of Lincoln, Neb., playing in his first tournament following
his own 18-month layoff, was the winner of that deuce-in-the-third game during
semifinal action. Mark had Insook breathing heavily at the end of that game, but
she was hardly short of breath after eliminating him at 8 in the fourth. More
memorable about Marks play was his courtside comment early in the match.
Frustrated with his inability to cope with Insooks ever-changing spin, he matterof-factly stated, This is no fun at all. Mark had advanced to the semis after a
tough five-game win over Lisa Gee in the quarters.
Diana Gee
Mark Kennedy
Photo by Mal Anderson

Insook won
the tournament, but
Diana Gee was the
star. After eliminating
Todd Petersen in a
straight-game
quarters match,
Diana knocked out
Colorados secondranked player, the chopper Bohdan Davidowicz. Dianas patient
239

Bohdan Dawidowicz
Photo by Mal Anderson

play and careful shot selection was the key to her victory. Unable to overpower the Polish-born
star, Diana relied on consistency, and, altering the pace of her attack, she deliberately moved
Dawidowicz in and out. She also pushed a lot, confident that she could counter Bohdans pick hits.
It was a perfect game plan, executed almost perfectly, and despite the best male player in the states
attempt to frustrate her by lobbing (shes weakest against lobs), Diana defeated him at 19 in the
fourth.
Diana drew encouragement from a partisan crowd that was cheering for her every point, or,
more accurately, against Dawidowicz. It was her Colorado Springs resident-athlete buddies who
were taunting Bohdan, as they had when Gene Lonnon played him in the quarters. Dawidowicz,
whos not shy about playing to the audience, accepted the role of bad guy and cheered himself on
during his four-game defeat of Gene and the spectators. However, last laugh to the fans.
This Third Annual Colorado Springs Open was the largest ever (103 players), the strongest
(16 entries over 1900), and the smoothest run due to a time-schedule that was accurate to the
minute every round. In terms of playing conditions, its the best tournament in the country, but thats
not very remarkable given the Olympic Training Center venue and the equipment resources of the
USTTA itself. The lack of significant prize money ($700 total) didnt affect the entries, but with
athletes in residence and a coaching camp in progress, the tournament benefitted from 24 captive
players before the entry blank was even printed. Still, there are now four clubs in Colorado Springs
when there used to be one, and the Colorado USTTA membership has more than doubled in the
last year (242 vs. 100). Grass roots development, fueled by advantages inherent to USTTA
Headquarters in Colorado Springs, will undoubtedly foster continued growth in the Associations
administrative home state.
The Pikes Peak YMCA/USO Table Tennis Club, sponsor of the Colorado Springs Open,
does not take its fortuitous situation lightly and has set the goal of establishing its major event as a
showcase for competitive table tennis nationally.
Additional Results: Open Doubles: Mark Kennedy/Todd Petersen over Gene Lonnon/
David Chun, 15, 5. Mixed Doubles: Chun/Diana Gee over Lonnon/Lisa Gee, 14, -17, 19. U2000s: Jasmine Wang over Len Hauer, 17, 10, 19. Bs: Chi-Ming Chui over Tim Eiles, -19, -21,
17, 19, 19, after Tim had advanced over Dennis Driggs, 18, -18, 19. Cs: Toni Gresham over Dave
Libby, -24, 17, 19, then over Jonathan Levine, 13, 18, 14.U-1850 Womens Singles: T. Gresham
over Nam Suk Frazier, 9, -16, -21, 17, 14, after Nam had stopped Li Ai, 23, 19. U-1800
Doubles: Dennis Gresham/Bill Roady over Paul Lykke/Jim Lynum, 15, 22. Ds: Ai over Norm
Silver, 13, 19, 15. Es: Ed Warwick over Ben Brahim Soufen, 22, 11, 13 whod escaped Lee
Rodriguez, -23, 19, 18. Seniors: Dana Jeffries over Tom Miller, 19, 19, 20. Boys U-17: Final:
Elliott Driggs over David Driggs, 16, 15, -20, 16. Semis: E. Driggs over Jason Neve, -19, 21, 20;
D. Driggs over Ted Eiles, 19, -16, 20. Boys U-15: D. Driggs over Neve, 15, -6, 19, -16, 14, after
Jason had eliminated E. Driggs, 19, -15, 19. Girls U-17: 1. Becky Martin. 2. Joanne Mullen. Girls
U-15: 1. Mullen. 2. Kathy Conway.
Colorado tournament-goers were among those sorrowed by the death of Paul Cracraft, an
1850-rated player from Boulder who died recently at age 25 of a brain tumor. Hed received a
Bachelors degree in Mathematics from the University of Colorado in 1984, and was working on a
degree in Computer Science at the time of his death.
President Boggan covers the $3,250 Nissen Open, played Oct. 5-6 in the Coe College
Gym at Cedar Rapids, Iowa:
240

Danny Seemiller won the $700 firstprize in this 115-entry Nissen Open without losing
a game (no wonder
hes won 9 out of
10 of these annual
tournaments, again
taking the John
Stillions Memorial
Trophy). Finalist
Brandon Olson, 19,
who beat Seemiller
in a Westfield, N.J.
tournament a
L-R: Tournament Director Houshang Bozorgzadeh, Champion Danny Seemiller,
Runner-up Brandon Olson, and Sponsor George Nissen
couple of weeks
earlier, this time
couldnt intensify his attack to offer much of a challenge.
Danny also won both Doublesthe Mens with brother Ricky (over brother Randy and
Rey Domingo), and the Mixed with Ardith Lonnon (over Brandon and Takako Trenholme).
In the one semis, Seemiller (15, 22, 17) got by Californias fast-hands snap-hitter Khoa
Nguyen (pronounced WIN) whod had to rally to Nguyen his five-game way by Lake Placid
Training partner Randy Seemiller. Yep, there is action up there at the Lake, but though we see a
photo in SPIN of the Seemillers running a Pittsburgh Camp, we dont get even a short article or so
much as a placid shot of anything going on at that upstate New York Training Facility for our Elite
Players. In the other semis, Brandon (18, 21, 18) casually lumbered down the highest of Rey
Domingos lobs. Third place then went to? Not to Rey. More swaying returns he put up that rose
and fell, and down he went to Khoa, 21 and 19. But, alright, so Domingo came fourththat did
give him $5 more than 1842 Joel De Rider got for winning the Bs over Dennis Huang.
In the quarters, Brandon had a fine win over #2 seed Ricky Seemiller, who came all the
way from Pittsburgh just to play one singles match. Down 2-0 but up 21-20 in the third, Ricky felt
Brandon weakening but couldnt bring himself to serve and do anything with the ball.
Vicky Wong, a member of the Resident
Training Program at Colorado Springs, won the
$130 first prize Womens Singles over 1985-rated
U.S. World Team member Takako Trenholme in
straight games.
In the one semis, Vicky (13, 21, 19)
struggled with an Im-going-to-do-what-I-want-todo Ardith Lonnon. In the other, Takako, dressed in
a South Korean warm-up suit (to give her psychic
strength?), downed Cheryl Dadian, 18 in the fourth.
Like 3rd-Place finisher Ardith, Cheryl also hopes to
go to the RTP. The Singles semifinalists did get
Takako Trenholme
Vicky Wong
some measure of revenge by winning the Womens
Doubles over Vicky/Takako.
In the Singles quarters, Takako was extended to three by Linda Gates, U-15 winner over
Todd Sweeris. Linda paired with Jimmy Butler in the Mixed to pull off the upset of the
241

tournamenta win over Vicky and a trying-hard-not-to-be-disgusted Rey.

Linda played great, Jimmy said. She returned the ball deep, kept them
from looping.
Jimmys mother, Sue, had something to say, too, when she returned
from Saturdays Iowa vs. Michigan State football game sporting a
flamboyant yellow pom-pom with a big I on it. Sue colorfully said, Id
rather follow Iowa football games than see my own kids play table tennis.
Sue did manage to see a match or twoof
Jimmys particularly. And he did play very well. He
won three events: the Under 17s over the Truelson
brothers, the Under 21s over both Khoa and
Brandon, and the Under 2300s over both Randy and
Dell Sweeris. So add up Jims wins and you see he
came away with a lot of pointsand $260.
Sweeris won the Senior event over me, and
like me in
Senior Winner
my dotage
Dell Sweeris
was
Triple Winner
Photo by
recalling
Jim Butler
Robert Compton
how he too
had taken to falling asleep before
the TV set (even during dramatic
moments)and he wasnt 40 yet!

Linda Gates, Under 15

Girls Winner
Photo by Mal Anderson

Winning the U-2100s over Mark Legters was Mitch

Seidenfeld who now that hes about to get his undergraduate
degree in English is going into full-time teachingat a Federal
Reserve bank. His first lesson? On Hemingways Fifty Grand.
The U-3800 Doubles went
to Tim Boggan/Gus Kennedy over
Bob Fox/Gary Elwell, 15, 15. The
Senior Doubles to Fox/Kennedy
over Boggan/Hugh Shorey, 18, 19.
Mitch Seidenfeld
Winner in the U-1700s was
Photo by Mal Anderson
George Szeto over James Lynum,
17, 11. In the U-1500s, Mark Heidenbrecht over Tom Madigan, 13,
15. Dat Truong won the Mens Novice over John Bauer, 17, 12. Jia Yi
Lee the Womens Novice over Hsu Yi Lee. J. Kurema took the
Handicap over Paul Lykke, 51-44.
Jia Yi Lee
Hanging on to win the Hard Rubber event was Brandonover
9-year-old Brent Stearns in the semis and Mark Kennedy in the final, 19 in the third. A big upset
was registered in this event when Brent, rated 780, beat me. Down 20-18 in the first, Brent hit in
four consecutive winners to turn the match around. Troung won the U-13s from Nilesh Narotam.
242

Yup, something here for young and old. Coming back after a 14-year absence was 63year-old former Kansas City star Bill Guilfoil. Bill, whos got old-timer Al Levy playing again, said
he came to Cedar Rapids, to this tournament, to keep up with the progress of the sport. Right on,
Bill.
Tournament Director Houshang
Bozorgzadeh was assisted by George Bovis,
Paul and Arian Lewis, Dean Card, and Bill
and Liz Hornyak. Dick Butler provided the
clear, informative feature-match
announcements, while John Read offered his
unique umpire and draw-making services.
John, over the decades, has probably made
more draws than any other person. The
traditional win or lose Players Party was
held at Shakeys Pizza Parlor.
Winners at the Oct. 20th Rockford,
IL Open: Open Singles: Kurt Lloyd over
Wayne Wasielewski, 13, -13, 13. Womens:
Nissen Open Crew, L-R: Houshang Bozorgzadeh,
Neena Patel over Grace Wasielewski, 18, Paul Lewis, George Bovis, and (inset) Dean Card
17, -14, 9, 12. U-2100s: 1. Wasielewski.
Photo by Ellie Bozorgzadeh
2. Lloyd. U-1950s: 1. Claude Cauthen. 2.
Lloyd. U-1750s: 1. Henry Mak. 2. G. Wasielewski. U-1550s: 1. Mak. 2. Bart Myers. U-1350s:
1. Somsay Rumpakone. 2. John Baladad. U-1150s: 1. Pete Malek. 2. D. Helmick. U-1000s: 1.
John Klein. 2. Kim Kvallheim. Esquires: Bruce Ackerman. 2. Vern Morehead. U-17s: Tim
Pearson. 2. Tim Lawson.
Results of the Oct. 5-6 Central Canadian Open: Mens
Open: Joe Ng over Alain Bourbonnais, 21, 14, 15. Womens:
Gloria Hsu over Mariann Domonkos,, n.s. Mens Dounles: Ng/
Horatio Pintea over Bao Nguyen/Chris Chu, 9, 15. Womens
Doubles: Hsu/Thanh Mach over Julia Johnson/Becky McKnight,
14, 21. Mixed Doubles: Ng/Hsu over Domonkos/Pintea, 15, -18,
20. Seniors: Bill Cheng over Paul Pesthy, 12, -19, 20. Jr. Men: U17s: Trung Le over Johnny Ng, 12, -18, 18. Jr. Miss U-17s:
Crystal Daniel over Lucie Drouin, 18, 12. Boys U-14s: 1. Gia Ly.
2. J. Nga. 3. T. Le. Boys U-12: Nelson
Ferreira over Andrew Wilson, 7, 3.
U-2000s: J. Ng over Sanjay Issar,
Women sWinner Gloria Hsu
12, 14. U-1800s: Minh Lu over Shih Lin,
Photo by Robert Compton
13, -21, 19. U-1800 Doubles: Daniel
Leung/Shih over Ned McLennan/Robert da Silva, 19, 15. U-1600s: Gary
Pantry over Rajiv Singh, 17, -17, 19. U-1400s: Nilton Gutierrez over Peter
Kosek, 12, 11. U-1200s: Anthony Brabrook over Christine Paquet, -15,
12, 23. U-1000s: Brabrook over Carlos Lima, 15, 13. U-800s: Julio
Hidalgo over Lima, 15, 13.
Peter Kosek
243

Winners at the Brown-Brissett Open, played Oct. 19-20

at Westfield, NJ: Open Singles: Brian Masters over Rey Domingo,
10, -20, 17, -16, 13. Womens R.R. Singles: 1. Flora Ng. 2. Joan
Fu. 3. Shazzi Felstein. 4. Luz (Brown) Brissett. Open Doubles:
George Brathwaite/Domingo over Masters/Randy Seemiller, 14,
20.Womens As: Fu over Marg Hzeih, 13, 11. U-2250s: Brian
Eisner over Jien Liu, 15, 14, 22. U-2050s: Maximo Vasquez over
Chi-Sun Chui, 12, 19. U-1950s: Don Peters over Billy Lipton,
20, -19, 17. U-1850s: Marv Plevinsky over Lloyd Nesfield, 13,
18. U-1750 Doubles: Tony Gegelys/Huang over Wong/Wong, 19,
21. U-1750s: Don Miller over Fu, 17, -5, 8. U-1600s: Wing
Eng over Michael Coke, -17, 13, 15. U-1600 Doubles: Tibor
Flora Ng
Miskoczi/ Gegelys over Rabin/Al Matlosz, -18, 16, 17. U-1450s:
Eng over Benjamin Lu, 17, 16. U-1300s: Eng over James Zaiser, 9, 15. U-1150s: Larry Pickett
over Arthur Dickinson, 18, 14. U-1000s: Benjamin Yeh over Steve Fink, 18, 22. Unrated: Joseph
Yee over Anthony Truong, 18, 12. Esquires: Bob Barns over Marcy Monasterial, 18, -12, 18.
Seniors: Bill Sharpe over Brathwaite, 17, 16. Senior As: Barns over Hzeih, 17, 18. U-17s: Henry
Ong over Troung, 19, -19, 14. U-13s: Troung over Sandeep Tamhankar.

Results of Power
Poons Louisiana Fall Open:
Bob Russell
Open Singles: 1. Saubana
Adio. 2. Roberto Byles. 3.
Roberto Byles
Bob Russell. 4. Hector Bennett. Womens Singles. 1. Shirley
Woo. Pigool Peggy Kulchurnpises. 3. Lyra Katena. 4. Pepper Vining. Open Doubles: R. Byles/
Bennett over Russell/Ernie Byles. As: 1. E. Byles. 2. Tunde Jacobs. 3. Roland Schilhab. 4. Abdul
Moghrabi. A Doubles: E. Byles/Alex Poon over Jacobs/Adeloye.
Bs: 1. E. Byles. 2. Will Humphrey. 3. T.H. Chew. 4. Bud
Caughman. B Doubles: Schilhab/Sarka Dura over E. Byles/B. Ly.
Cs: 1. Woo. 2. Alfred Jacobs. 3. Mel Evans. 4. Greg Kelly. M [?]
Doubles: Adio/Woo over Jacobs/Kulcharnpises. Ds: 1. George
Shofoluwe. 2. Jim Leggett. 3. Ben Chiu. 4. Eddie Sanderson. Es:
1.Bill Plue. 2. David Holden. 3. Michael Lauro. 4. Herb Bennett.
Ns: 1. Dat Hoang. 2. Holden. 3. Randall Kahl. 4. William Anglin.
Handicap: 1. Russell. 2. Dura. 3. Holden. 4. Wayne Schulz. Seniors:
1. Power Poon. 2. Chiu. 3. Schulz. 4. Leggett. U-17s: 1. Alex Poon.
2. Lauro. 3. Eric Owens. 4. Oliver Hung. U-13s: 1. Lauro. 2. Owens.
Alex Poon
244

Tim Boggan reports on the Maryland Open,

held Oct. 11-13 in Towson, MD:
Class, cash, and camaraderiethats what you
got for your money at the 220-entry $10,000 Maryland
Open.
The tournament was held on the beautiful
Towson State University campus, with its soft, easy-onyour-feet playing venuebut, o.k., agreed, the floor
was a little too ball-losing beige-colored, and the ball
didnt bounce as high as everyone might like it to. But
no finding fault with the brand new Stiga tables and
barriers (encomiums of course from Darren Liu who
won the raffled-off table), the Schildkraut balls, and the
good lighting that allowed you to see the spin on the ball.
In the 80-entry Mens
Singles, the gods
unexpectedly failed to qualify
the two players whod been
expected to play each other in the round of 32. Out went 2319 Dave
Sakai, out and away from Towson and table tennis for the remainder of
the weekend, beaten soundly by the clearly underrated Barney Reed
(going on to receive an unexpected $100 in prize money); and out went
2268 George Cameron, apparently losing so badly that whenever I saw
him he was reduced to such a state of mouth and finger play with infant
son Sean that I thought they might take him away.
Although Swedish penhold player/coach/
George Cameron
administrator Christian Lillieroos (winner of the UPhoto by Mal Anderson
2150s over Ohios Bob Cordell) served up some
behind-the-back and under-the-leg twisters to challenge 85 CNE Champ Alain
Bourbonnais, 18, -19, -19, -13, the most talked-about early match in the Mens
was Enoch Greens four-game upset of Pan Am Champ Brian Masters.
While the tall, carrot-stick-slender Enoch, a confirmed vegetarian, has
been fasting from the tournament scene for at least a year, he continues to play hour
Enoch Green
after hour, day after day, when and wherever
he can. No, he said, his win didnt surprise
him; hed never lost to Brian.
As for the Womens Singles, there
was $700 in prizes and straight-game
predictable play with nine-time Canadian
Champion Mariann Domonkos ($400)
winning over Minnesotas Takako
Trenholme ($200).
No Womens Doubles, but in the
Mixed, Mariann and Horatio Pintea won 18,
21 over Danny Seemiller and Flora Ng
whod stopped Scott Boggan and Kalavathi
Mariann Domonkos
Takako Trenholme
245

Panda, 21, 19. And in the U-2350s, though Domonkos beat Jerry Thrasher and Bill Sharpe, she
lost in a close four-game final to Barry Dattel. Sharpe, who not only won the 50s easily over me,
but the 40s as well with somewhat of an historic win over George Brathwaite, said that Mariann
was the steadiest opponent hed played during the weekend. Shed make a great practice
partner, he exclaimed. To tell the truth, I just enjoyed watching her play, and I was playing her!
In his 2350s semi, Dattel just got by his real practice partner Eyal Adini when, at 21-all in
the third, Eyals surprise cross-court attacking chop return of serve just went long, and then Barry
patiently rolled until he got a ball to loop in for the winner.
In the 3/5 final against Domonkos, Barry, up 2-0 and at 20-all in the third, servedand
watched as Mariann passed him with a return. Then she followed her own serve with a relentless
succession of loops to stand strong. But in the fourth game, rallying but still down 20-19 match
point, Mariann, falling as she swung for the point she needed, came up shorton the seat of her
pants.
Ill return to the Mens matches shortly, but first here are the winners of events I dont cover
otherwise (ALL the events paid money): Mens Doubles: Final: Brandon Olson/Khoa Nguyen over
Sean ONeill/Chartchai Teekaveerakit, 16, 19 (Chartchai suffering a leg cramp in the first game).
Semis: Olson/Nguyen over Danny/Ricky Seemiller, 19, 18; ONeill/Teekaveerakit over Boggan/
Masters, 14, -14, 14. U-2000s: Max McAllister over Dave Strang, 15, 15. U-3800 Doubles:
Dattel/Joan Fu over Masters/Steve Emmons, 14, 19. U-1850s: Marv Plevinsky over Steve
Hochman, 12, 18. U-1550s: Margaret Hzeih over Christopher Costley, 14, -18, 25, then over
David Yee. U-1400s: Steve Yee over Wing Lee, 18, -17, 16. U-2800 Doubles: Yee/Yee over
Emmons/Karl Schulz who, though defaulting the final, had advanced over Titus/Stephens, 19, -18,
20. U-1200s: Mark Pierce over Alvis Jenkins, 14, 18. U-1000s: Robert Waxman over Dennis
Gross, 19, 21. U-17s: Billy Lipton over Marta Zurowski, 18, 15.
In the Mens eighths, six of the matches were routine. But Canadian National Team
member Bao Nguyen valiantly fought off Rey Domingo before going down in the fifth. And Brandon
Olson, unable to control Sean ONeills point-making play, lost a 15, -15. -20, -20 swing match by
pushing too many balls.
It was clear that the Canadian Nguyen was stronger technically at serve and returning serve
than the U.S. Nguyen who was beaten in straight games by Ricky Seemiller in the eighths. Though
Khoa was winning tournament after tournament in California, he really hadnt had much experience
playing good
players and
various types
of games.
But hes
learning,
Coach Danny
said.
Bao,
on the other
hand, in the
semis of the
Bao Nguyen
U-21s, which
Photo by Mal Anderson
he lost to
ChartchaiTeekaveerakit
Chartchai 19 in the third, handled the Thai Champions tricky
Photo by Mal Anderson
246

serves very wellso well, in fact, that if at the end he hadnt missed two cross-court blocks and a
forehand, all for winners, he very likely would have taken the match. I hate it! yelled Bao to his
Canadian corner on coming off court. Losing every match, I hate it!
In the other U-21 semis, ONeill downed Masters in straight games. True, Sean isnt at the
Lake Placid Center like some of his peers here, but hes practicing every school day at George
Washington University with his at home live-in coach and confidant Chartchai and others.
In the Mens quarters, Danny seemed to have found his game, Rey to have lost it.
And though Perry Schwartzberg had looked good in winning three straight from
Bourbonnais, he was just 16, 14, 19 too slow to get going against Teekaveerakit. Perry was
disappointed that his Lake Placid coach Danny had been playing his own quarters match and
couldnt be in his corner. I needed Danny from the start in this one. If I could just do it overplay
all topspin against Chartchai, I think I could beat him for sure.
In
the bottom
half of the
draw,
mercurial
Scott
Boggan,
who hadnt
touched a
racket since
his Hoosier
Open win
Scott Boggan
six weeks
Photo by Steve Johnson
before, but
who had beaten Sharpe and Enoch The Grip Green, was
Horatio Pintea
From Table Tennis Technical, June, 97 down 20-18 in the first against the 84 Canadian National
Champion and #2 seed Horatio Pintea. But Scott came through
with four fist-up winners and Hory was forever after fighting just to stay in the match. Up 2-0 but
down 14-15 in the third, Scott stopped play and protested at length the umpires call of Fault
against Pintea. But the umpire was adamant: 15-all. This point and Scotts cool end-game demeanor
made all the 21-19 difference. Match three straight to Boggan who had yet to lose a game.
In the remaining quarters, Ricky won out over Sean, -12, 19, 21, 11. Sean later said that,
instead of using his backhand against Ricky, he stepped
around his
Sean ONeill
forehand too
Photo by
often and
Mal Anderson
repeatedly was
out of position.
Ricky had
pointed out to
me before the
match how he
had recently
come to a
Ricky Seemiller
247

startling realization: for all these years when in mid-point hed flipped his racket to his anti side or
vice-versa to his inverted, hed twirled it in the wrong directionso now when he flips, he twirls it
the other way and, amazing, the angle of his racket is in a much better position for the follow-up
shot.
During the $400 semis match between Scott and Ricky, Scott continually dropped his
racket and complained, I just cant play. He was sometimes throwing away strings of points so
fast that Seemiller several times put up his hand to stop Boggan from fast-serving away the game.
But then suddenly Scott, down 20-13, scored five spectacular winners and moved the score to 2018 before losing the game. Boggan lost the second in much the same way with Seemiller again
raising his hand as if in protest at winning so many points so fast. Scott did win the third game but
match to Ricky in four.
In the other semis, Danny beat Chartchai 13, -8, 12, 14, something he had not been doing
for the last year. Danny said afterward, I decided to play Chartchai a little differently this time. I
knew I couldnt block passively, couldnt let him get into his loop-to-my-block rhythm, so when he
got the serveand with his topspin follow he can get five points before you so much as blinkI
made up my mind that I wasnt going to have any bad strings against his service and so I stiffened
my blocks, especially to his backhand and middle.This time , then, it wasnt me who blocked
passively but Chartchai whose weak serve returns allowed me to attack.
In the all-Seemiller final (First: $1200;
Second: $800), Danny began by putting up the
ball to Rickys forehand, but since Ricky was
spinning so well, Danny on losing the first game
changed tactics and began aggressively pinning
Ricky to his backhand, and from then on had
absolutely no problem.
This new Lake Placid environment,
Danny said upon winning his second straight
tournament, has been good for me. The daily
coaching and playing makes a difference
helps me to concentrate. My mind really hasnt
been on the game for a couple of years now.
And when that happens you begin saying to
yourself, Hey, I dont think I can beat this guy
Maryland Open Winner Danny Seemiller
or that guy. But when youre practicing every
Courtesy of Butterfly
day and youre out there week after week
playing matches that thought never surfaces.
The tournament was run by an excellent experienced staff led by Tournament Director
Dennis Masters, Maryland Association President Yvonne Kronlage, Public Relations Director Jay
Harris, Physical Operations Director Dick Evans, and Registration and Control Desk Managers Sue
Evans, Donna Sakai, Chip Barnett, Phil Van Dusen, and helpers Fred Tepper and Mary Masters
among others.
Local MTTA booster Marty Staehlin was awarded a plaque for his ongoing support, and
there was a Program book honoring Marty (that Catherine and Referee Erich Haring contributed
to) that netted $3,000.

248

Chapter Seventeen
1985: E.C. Developments.
In moving toward the E.C. Meeting in Dec., I, Tim, note that USTTA changes will likely be
forthcoming.
USTTAs Financial Situation
Its a little shocking to me that MONEY is being treated with such reverence by many
members of this non-profit Association. It used to be casually said, now its seriously said, If the
USTTA had $1,000,000 they wouldnt know what to do with it. McClure, in a Letter to the E.C.,
argues, We should spend more time working toward getting sponsors for different projects before
we start one. [More timehow much time? So long as we repeat the past and cant spend money
we dont have, projects and sponsors, in time, will materialize? And what now do we have to offer
those prospective sponsors?] We cannot continue to operate like we have. [Thats a double
entendre if ever I heard one.] Wed better start running our Association like a business instead of the
haphazard wishful thinking like we have in the past. [How much haphazard wishful thinking has our
E.C. done in the past? Not muchthough there might be something to be said for wishful thinking.]
For every idea on spending money we should also have an idea on raising the money to do the job
and if it is really important, helpful, and necessary. [Ideas on raising money have not been the
USTTAs non-profit strong point, and even getting agreement from E.C. members on what spending
is necessary is no given.]
In my Oct. 30th Update to the E.C. members I wrote:
Its quite obvious we have a cash-flow problem and need money. For some time now, its
been apparent that our earlier decision to put into our Foundation ALL of the remaining money
were to get from the L.A. Games is just not day-to-day practical, or perhaps even possible. Im
therefore asking everyone to please reconsider this decision.
Dennis Masters is rightfully worriedwe all have to be
worriedfor its an absolute certainty that we do not have enough
cash on hand to pay the prize money and the expenses of the
upcoming U.S. Closed.
The third installment of the L.A. Olympic Games windfall
money, which has been delayed, will be forthcoming in part,
perhaps, in maybe four weeks. At least thats what Jimmy says. Hes
just come back from a USOC Meeting in Philadelphia with the news
that, though the LAOC is reluctant to release any money right now,
they may be prevailed upon to release $100,000 to each NGB
(presumably, other NGBs need to use some of that money too?), in
which case wed have to sign a waiver that, if the IRS insists (surely
Dennis Masters
not much likelihood of that), wed have to return said $100,000. As
for the fourth and final installment (thats about $500,000, is it?), well, look for that in the
spring?
All this is far more uncertain that I for one thought it would be, and though I dont regret
going for a class Closed and the Lake Placid Program, I recognizeas we all must recognizethat
wed better come up with $35,000.
So, how might we do that?
249

The more than $500,000 in LAOC money weve already put into our Foundation rests secure
for posterity. However, the (what?) two-month interest weve accrued is usable. Still, thats not much.
The only sensible thing to do is establish a $35,000 line of creditand pay it back with the
forthcoming windfall money.
Im hereby asking the E.C. permission to do that.
You may well agree that there really is no other choice, that I, as President, have forced this
on some of you. But neither I nor anyone else was so premeditating or calculating as to plan this
uncertain situation. It certainly appeared to enough of us as we voted for the Closed and the Lake
Placid Program that we had enough maneuvering room, or that some of that third installment of the
windfall money could and should be used. A legacy of more than $1,000,000 ought to be enough
for posterity. Meanwhile, we try to MOVE the sport.
Permission was granted by the majority of the E.C., and I then agreed that we immediately
put the remaining $65,000 into the Foundation.
Jimmy also said, We need someone to make sure an honest and legitimate budget is
adhered to. We have been running the Association like the U.S. governmentthe only difference is
that we cant print the money. Ive full confidence that Sheila, Lyle, and Emily are honest,
conscientious, and caring workers and that at our Dec. E.C. Meeting much needed Budget
improvements will have been made.
I note that on Nov. 20th Dick Evans wrote the E.C.
expressing his strong feelings. Heres what he said (coupled with
Dick
Evans
an interpolation or two of my own):
Amen to Jimmy McClures letter regarding our financial
crisis! For the first time in our history we have money and, after
one year of outrageous fiscal irresponsibility, we are in worse
financial shape than we have ever been before. [I dont think Ive
been outrageous, certainly not as outrageous as you in saying that
were in worse financial shape than ever before.] Inexcusable! It
takes time and judgment, as well as money, to move the sport
forward. [Lots and lots of timewithout money and manpower.]
If you as a member of the E.C. vote to reverse your
decision to preserve the Foundation money, I will never vote for
you for an elected office again.
Its that simple and I feel that strongly. [This ultimatum is simple-minded. I dont think the
question of spending or saving is simple. I know I want to spendbut its not that simple.]
Anyway, despite my friend Dicks strong feelingswhether we spend money or dont
spend money, there will be people who dont vote for usI really insist that my E.C. members have
another discussion on what we want to do with the last installment of the L.A. windfall money. I take
to heart what Stan Robens said, If we dont raise money, our Association, our Sports, doomed.
Hire Christian Lillieroos?
As weve recently seen, Ive been urging the E.C. to hire Swedens Christian Lillieroos
(now based in Westfield, NJ), and, since his alien residency papers are being filed in Iowa, we
should soon be able to legally do that. I continue here with (see Chapter 15) Christians activities as
hes reported them to me:
250

OCTOBER
On Oct. 4th, needing
local help and getting
it, I staged an
exhibition at a junior
high school. I got a
table from Stiga, 18
barriers, and two
scorecards. To
No, stand-up comedian Alan Fendrick isnt lying down on the job
transport these things I
Butterfly photo
had to borrow a van
from one of the players at the Westfield Club and will probably have to depend
upon him again when another exhibition comes up. Thats his only vehicle so I
hate to bother him. By way of thanks since hes of such help to me I made Stiga
give him some table tennis equipment. Alan Fendrick, a Westfield member, does
the talking at our exhibitions. He works two nights a week as a stand-up
comedian and magician and is a key person in any exhibition. Most of the time I
do my exhibition with John Shareshian, but Ive also done some performances
with Barry Dattel, Mark Kane (the guy with the van), Matt Kane (Marks twin
brother), Brian Eisner, Ai-ju Wu, and Eyal Adini. Before every exhibition I
rehearse four hours or more.
Ive had experience doing exhibitions in Sweden. My table tennis high
school had set up a table tennis show and I did all the planning and
choreography for it. Here in the States I dont charge anything for my
exhibitions, and I pay all expenses myself. My phone expenses for Sept. were
Ai-ju Wu
$100 and for Oct. $40.
I went to the Maryland Open and paid all my expenses. [Obviously Christian is very money
conscious, has to soon be in a position where he can begin to make a living.]
In the East, I have the help of Steve Kong of Princeton wholl run tournaments there, and
Lim Ming Chui in the Boston area. And probably Pat ONeill in Virginia, and definitely Eva
Gustafsson in Ohio.
On Fri., Oct. 18th, I started the first class in the Stiga table tennis schoolfrom 6:00-7:00
p.m. Joan Fu was my assistant coach. We had 12 players: two 9-year-olds, one 11-year-old, the
rest from a 13-16-year age group. Five of the players were from Cranford, NJ, where I did my first
exhibition; the other seven were as a result of contacts I had with different members of the Westfield
Club, and from people who had seen my poster (Id put up 200 of them in our local area).
On Oct. 22nd, after the Westfield tournament, I met with the supervisor of the Woodbridge
Township Board of Education. A tennis pro, whos a friend of Barry Dattel, is helping me get table
tennis into after-school programs. In February, I can start a Saturday morning (9:00-12:00)
program consisting of three groups of juniors from the 4th to the 8th grade for a six-week period. I
can also offer an adult program on Wednesday and Friday from 7:00-8:00 p.m., and on Sunday
from 11:00-12:00 a.m. and from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. This program will be listed in a course catalogue
that will be distributed to all households in Woodbridge. The catalogue is 30 pages, with 1 page
devoted solely to table tennis, and it will go to 100,000 homes. The adult program will be for eight
weeks. Other townships could be offered the same course. If itll work in the biggest township, all
the smaller ones will want to have it too. The tennis pro whos helping me with this is the Head
251

Coach at the Woodbridge Racketball and Tennis Club, the

biggest in the East. His name is Jim Annesis, and he believes in
the potential of the sportthats why hes helping me. [Eleven
years later, the Jim Annesis mentioned here is, I presume, the
same Ph.D. sports psychologist Dr. Jim Annesis wholl write
some columns for the Larry Hodges-edited Table Tennis
World.]
On Fri., Oct. 25, I gave an exhibition at Essex County
College in Newark from 10:00-12:00 a.m. for 50-100 people.
On Mon., Oct. 28, I started my second class in the Stiga
schoolfrom 6:00-7:00 p.m. Six players attended, all from
Westfield, all 8-9 years old. One girl didnt want to play with just
five boys, so she quit. Four other players couldnt play on
Mondays, but are waiting for a new class to start.
Dr. Jim Annesis
[Its so encouraging to me as I constantly look for help
From Table Tennis World,
Jan.-Feb., 1996
to have a new and ambitious face DOING something positive for
the sport almost daily.]
Christian gives us some background on his four assistant coaches. John Shareshian holds a clinic
at Princeton University every Friday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Under my supervision hes also been giving
private lessons to four or five people in the Westfield Club, and on Monday evenings serves as an
assistant to me. He very much wants to improve his play and to that end practices every day and does
physical training twice a week. John was a 2000 playernow hes 2100 and soon will be 2150.
Barry Dattel gives one private lesson a week and on Monday evenings assists me. He plays
table tennis every day and has gained 100 points since June when I started to coach him. Hes now
over 2300.
Joan Fu is my assistant on Fridays, and is a very
good coach. The fact that shes a woman in a sport that
badly needs women helps. Shes gained 80 points since
September.
Chris Lehman gives one private lesson a week
and, like Joan, assists me on Fridays. He hasnt played in
any tournament since the U.S. Open in Miami where he
gained 100 points. Chris coaches wheelchair players once
a week. Hes also a USTTA Regional umpire. [And also
a marathon runner who doesnt believe smoking should
be allowed in a clubs tournament area where matches are
being held.] Hes very much involved with the Westfield
Club overall, sells equipment as a convenience for Club
members and doesnt make any money for his efforts.
[Christian continues his report to me:]
Chris Lehman
NOVEMBEROn Nov. 2-3 I went to the
Photo by Roger L. Brown
Duneland tournament and talked with a number of people.
On Nov. 9-10, I was in California, at the San Diego tournament, and talked with various
people about some future plans I have. I also played there. Sixteen Stiga tables they put up and take
down every night in a big gym. Though the Club has great potential, it has no coach. This trip to
California I paid for myself. I lived with Mike Dempsey.
252

Then on Nov. 12th I went to the Hollywood Club and met

some interesting people, including Bernie Bukiet. They have seven
Detroiter tables and are open every night.
By Nov. 16-17 I was back in New Jersey. The Westfield
tournament had new Expert VM tables. I made Stiga believe in the
advertising value of me coaching on these tables, so the Club got
them for $350 each (normal price is $1,200 each). I also got 30
barriers and 10 scorecards for free.
On Monday, Nov. 18, Eyal Adini and I gave an exhibition
at a Great Neck synagogue that had been arranged by Mel Eisner.
This synagogue has six tables and wants to start a club. Also, Im in
regular contact with Victor Reyes who wants to build a table tennis
club on Long Island, and Ive given him quite a bit of advice about
how to run a place like that and make it work. Any time Ive
traveled to Long Island on table tennis work Ive paid my own
expenses.

Interesting people: Bernie Bukiet

and his squeeze Melba Martin

Alan Fendrick and Scott Boggan

Photos by Michael Ackerman

On Nov. 28-29, Mel Eisner will be putting on his Big Apple Sports Festival at Madison
Square Garden. Instead of going to the National Team Championships in Detroit over Thanksgiving
weekend, I began working with Mel. I was responsible for the table tennis equipment that was
necessary for our three-day promotion at the Gardentables, barriers, scorecards, and PA system.
I was also responsible for training the playersScott Boggan, Brian Eisner, Alan Fendrick, and
Mark and Matt Kanefor the desired exhibitions. And for making sure coaches were available for
the clinics.
253

DECEMBEROn Dec. 7-8, I will have a Coaching/Education session for a new round of
coacheseight in all for all the programs that will start in February.
On Thursday, Dec. 12, Im doing an exhibition at Princeton University between halves of a
basketball game. Programs for my exhibition will be printed up (2,000 of them) and given to
spectators.
On Dec. 14-15, Westfield will hold the Stiga Grand Prix tournament that Ive encouraged
them to hold. Students from my table tennis school enter their age groups free, and on Sunday they
will be scorekeepers for the Open event.
On Dec. 15, at 6:30 p.m., my plane leaves for Sweden and I will be on itmy tickets
already paid for. [At the E.C. Meeting in Dec., well see whether Christian stays in Sweden, or
whether the USTTA will offer him a job.]
Club Grant to Sweeris?
In an Aug. 15th letter to the E.C., Dell Sweeris asks for a three-year Grant from the
USTTA. He wants us to co-underwrite a Table Tennis Program with him so he can key into the
USTTA at a local level. He wants to establish a tax-exempt Table Tennis Foundation in Grand
Rapids80% of the money would come from the USTTA, 20% from donations Dell would raise.
Specifically, he wants $30,000 for a three-year Program$10,000 a year.
With this money, and money he himself would raise, hed establish an Executive Director
position (the Director might change through the years but not the position).
Dell would expect the Foundation to establish:
A club that would meet at least two nights a week for open play, and at least two nights a
week exclusively for coaching juniors.
A club that would run one Promotional tournament a year that would not be open to those
already playing in USTTA tourneys. Recently, Burger King gave $3,000 worth of sponsorship to
this kind of tournament and Dells club tripled its membership.
A club that would run one local USTTA Open tournament a month. Just from this the
USTTA would get back $1,000.
A club that would run one MAJOR tournament a yearon the scale of, say, Bill Honyaks
Duneland tournament.
A club that would hold a City tournament.
A club that would hold statewide, even Regional Junior Olympic tournaments.
A club that would run Clinicsespecially on holidays and during the summer.
Dell recommends utilizing
facilities in rec centers, Ys, and
churches (he has connections in
this regard). He says the time for
hiring a Director is right, for now
he and wife Connie could act in an
advisory capacity. Having
established and run such a club
himself years ago, he absolutely
believes that a Grand Rapids Club
would be so successful that the
USTTA over the years would get
their $30,000 back and more.
Connie and Dell Sweeris
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Of course, as with anything

that costs money and
doesnt offer a sure return,
there will be voices that
dont want to offer support
for it. One responder said in
passing, Id be the more
inclined to consider the
proposal if Dell himself
would put up half the
beginning amount needed.
Following is the (Aug. 26)
rather predictable reply I
received from E.C. member
Rufford Harrison:
A laudable objective. But
after seeing what sponsors
have done over the years, I
wont believe that well get
Dell and Connie Sweeriss Woodland Table Tennis Center
any profit until I see it. If the
Photos by R.J. Poel
USTTA itself cant do it,
why should we expect an affiliate to manage it? [Because someones personally interested in doing
it?] Still, a worthy objective. So how do we get Dell his first-years $10,000? We have a surplus
now, you say. Possibly, but only because we didnt put all the USOC largess into the Foundation.
Next year there will be no such largesse. Well have to work off our own funds. We had quite a
problem balancing our budget this year. Next year will be far, far worse. Where is next years
$10,000 going to come from?
We are spending far too much money. Lets go with what weve done [and what is that?],
and see how it [what?] works out. Then we can decide if we should try a new tack, like this one.
Besides, how do you answer all the other people [all the other people like the experienced
Sweeris?] who want to start clubs? [The E.C. will make its recommendation at their Dec.
Meeting.]
New York City/Long Island Clubs?
As you may remember, about this time last year, supported by a good many New Yorkers, I
thought I had a good shot at getting a club started in the City, but it didnt work out. The potential
number of players there without a club to go to is probably the highest in the country. So were
getting killed there membership-wiseUSTTA players at $20 each equals $10,000 (or is one
tournament player after another now buying a $5 playing permit?). Of course at the moment theres
the Chinatown Club on Lafayette Street, but, hearing that the loss of it might be imminent, on Aug.
14 I wrote a letter of support for itthough it looks like its a goner. Also, with Mel Eisner, a very
active E.C. member whom I solicited for help, and his fellow New York enthusiasts Doon Wong
and George Grannum,* I went to look, alas, hopelessly, at a supposed prospective site under the
Brooklyn Bridge.
Then we had, it appeared, a good chance for a NYC club, thanks to Madison Avenues
Julian Studley who found a spot for us at the Norman Thomas School on Park and 33rd. Mel and I
255

went to the School, once with our benefactor Studley himself, to see if we couldnt get enough facts,
figures, and a commitment to our liking. We could have a 6-8 table Club in a windowless room
maybe five stories up, three nights a week and one weekend a month. The high-up, tucked away
enclosed location and sporadic play (whod be responsible for managing or taking responsibility for
play? I was out on Long Island) wasnt to my liking, and though I appreciated Studleys gesture I
didnt pursue a commitment.
As for Long Island, Id been encouraging Victor Reyes, a Marketing Manager for Pfizer, to
open the prototype club Id said I wanted back in my Presidential Campaign Statement. He and his
associates seemed to be interested in, and have the wherewithal for, a plush, racquetball-like club
that, if successful, would help to raise the image of our sport. My sons Scott and Eric were
enthusiastic about the possibility of such an Island club. But nopeit didnt happen.
Imagine if I had to make a living trying to promote this Sport.
Wiggysa New Table Tennis Magazine Takes
Hold
Here are
Letters received
from readers of
Scott Bakkes
slick-cover new
magazine
(Wiggys, Nov.
6, 1985):
Id like to
commend Scott
Bakke (and give
an
acknowledging
nod of thanks to
his staff,
particularly his
illustrator George
Karn) for the
energy and
enthusiasm hes
shown in his
This sport isnt big enough for the
welcome Wiggys
two of us, so scram!
publication. (I
know how much relentless effort and determination such
work takes.) [Heres Scott in an Oct. 17th letter to me: I
found out the week after the Nissen tournament that
mailing the publication is almost more of a project than
managing to come up with and position the articles in it.
Boxes and boxes of Wiggys were stacked all over my
grandfathers ping-pong table and it took an entire week,
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even with the help of my staff, to stamp, label, presort, and select from the USTTA mailing list the
over 3,000 copies I eventually brought to the post office!]
I like Wiggys emphasis on current coverage, its humor, its color, and variety of viewpoint.
Above all, I like the idea of Editor Bakke winging it via his own 18-year-old sensibility.
I quickly sent Scott and Wiggy my $15 subscription check [price for 17 tri-weekly issues
$15; for 6 such issues $7.50], and I urge everyone else who loves the sport to do the same.
USTTA President Tim Boggan, Merrick, NY.
***
Good luck on your publishing venture. However, I must point out what others no doubt
have alreadythat your introductory issue should have been letter perfect. It was not! Numerous
errors in the photo captions: Eric and Chen; Rick (not Danny) and Charlie; Domingo (not Danny) in
the middle. Although you refer to page numbers, the pages were not numbered.
The above not withstanding, your effort is commendable and I wish you every success.
Dick Evans, Hillsboro, W. Va.
***
Ill try a six-month subscription [he who corrects stands corrected: he means a six-issue
subscription], and hope you last longer than that. Check enclosed.
Comments you wanted, so comments youll get.
If you are going to refer to page numbers, then NUMBER THE DAMNED THINGS!
There are a number of misspellings (as dias for dais), mixed captions, and so forth. Even
so-called high-class publications seem unable or unwilling to proofread, and it is only of importance
to old cranks like me, but after anything is written, it should be read over. This is all it takes to catch
the worst howlers, like Scott Butlers bother Jimmy. [Surely thats not the worst but the best
howler (but probably not done on purpose).]
Dont get overly cute with this Wiggy-the-Pooh business. Your main aim is to inform us;
amusement is secondary.D. M. Gunn, California
[Wiggys, for better or worse, but so unlike SPIN, offers (Sept. 25) this (informative? amusing?) read:
According to the Associated Press, All-out bedlam and pandemonium broke loose at the
San Pedro Boys Club outside of Los Angeles, CA last June when a novice hardbat player lost a
match, and his senses.
In a sheer case of insanity, William Ricardo Holmes broke his paddle following the loss
and then ate parts of his handle!
Holmes, 25, was rushed to and revived at Harbor UCLA Hospital after his heart had
stopped beating. Doctors performed surgery to remove the broken-handle pieces which had lodged
in the wall of his throat, making him unable to breathe.
Although he initially survived near death and was released from the hospital, he did die
several days later in a similar choking incident.
Wiggys sources, unaware that the man had died, tried unsuccessfully throughout the month
of August to gain the paddle-eaters full recount.
Surprisingly, it was only after two separate impersonators by the same name claimed to be
the deceased victim that Wiggy contacted the San Pedro Boys Club and Los Angeles Police Dept.
to learn the actual, unfortunate truth.]
***
Cmon, youve got to be kidding with those wild and wacky stories. Even the most drastic
loony couldnt possibly eat his paddleMy friend says youre already desperate for material.
Steve Grahams, Amarillo, TX.
***
257

Heres my check for a full years subscription. Wiggy and the cartoons are worth the price
alone Wiggy is sure to give this magazine that special dimension even Topics couldnt rival. I look
especially forward to seeing the adventures of Wiggy vs. The Spin Monster.
***
On Dec. 8,1985, Jack Carr sends a subscription check
to Scott, and a letter (copy to me) that says, You asked for a
critique, and so he gives him one that covers 24 points, each of
which is never more than a sentence or two. I note that he can
address Scott with typical Janusian double-speak: I like your
idea of mailing so it [Wiggys] is received each Wednesday
[actually Scott had scheduled it every third Wednesday].
Unfortunately this wont happen in all sections of the U.S. and is
overly ambitious. He also likes in half his points to refer more than
glancingly to the two previous editors Wintrich and Boggan:
Wiggys covers are better than Spins (Jack didnt like either
magazines name). Glad Scott realizes his proofreading requires
Jack Carr
improvement; Wintrich didnt. Glad Scotts going to edit; Wintrich
mutilates. Glad Scotts going to publish tournament results; dont know why Wintrich doesnt publish
more. Wiggys is interesting, amusing; SPIN is dull, dull, dull. Why is Wintrich getting over twice what
Boggan was paid? Wiggys says something; SPIN doesnt, except for Ratings and Tim Boggan.
I like poetry provided it rhymes and pertains directly to table tennis. Id like to see
controversial critical articles with the rebuttals in the same issue, part of the same article. Im
thankful neither you nor Wintrich use profanity or obscenity. Glad your articles are not too longwinded with private side remarks. One page of foreign news is about right.
What impels Jacks need to write these many gratuitous attacking lines? [Tim, Timlike
everyone else, he wants his voice, his being, to matter.] What impels YOU to continually show the
Carr that so irritates you?...Answer: I think it may have something to do with the poem My Name
by Mark Strand that appeared in The New Yorker some years ago. This single 12-line sentence of
a poem that doesnt rime is for you and me, Jack:
MY NAME
One night when the lawn was a golden green
and the marbled moonlit trees rose like fresh memorials
in the scented air, and the whole countryside pulsed
with the chirr and murmur of insects, I lay in the grass
feeling the great distances open above me, and wondered
what I would becomeand where I would find myself
and though I barely existed, I felt for an instant
that the vast star-clustered sky was mine, and I heard
my name as if for the first time, heard it the way
one hears the wind or the rain, but faint and far off
as though it belonged not to me but to the silence
from which it had come and to which it would go.
258

Your magazine is so cool, and Wiggy makes the perfect star. Ill be rushing home from
school every third Wednesday, and I hope Wiggy will be waiting at my mailbox.Myles Zerlock,
Thunder Bay, Canada.
***
Congratulations on a terrific magazine. What a wonderful surprise and undertaking. We
wish you good luck and long success.Kathy ONeill, McLean, VA.
***
Please send me a full subscription to Wiggys World. It will sure seem good to read
something besides SPIN which is always a little one-sided toward all the top players in the country.
I hope you will give those of us who are the lowly faithful a little attention.Jack DeVine,
Ferrisburg, VT.
***
Sign me up! Wiggys is a wild and wacky
winner in my book. Keep up the good work and give
the SpinMonster hell.Trevor Kuzma, Jacksonville,
FL.
The magazines wild and wacky, did he say?
O.K.one last letter here. Butsurpriseit goes
not to Wiggy, but to Eric
Boggan, authenticated
(as written Oct. 13) and reprinted exactly as it was received :
I am a table tennis nut, like you are.
I play every chance you get
I am sewenty. year old
I would would be willing to make a small wager that I could get
7 to 10 points in a game (against you).
I am going to play in a comtest for cenyour citizens for the Vet.
Admin. in Albany Georgia. Oct. 31, through Sebt. 3, 1985. At Marine
Corp Base.
I know it would be greatly appresheated if you showed up.
Your truly,
SPIN and Editor Wintrich
On Oct. 2, I sent round to my E.C. the following comments
concerning SPIN and Editor Tom Wintrich:
Initially, Tom did NOT accept the 11% raise to $16,000 plus the
raise of $500 in travel money we agreed at our last E.C. meeting to
give him. However, he did not resign as SPIN Editor. Instead, he
offered a compromise.
Eric says, If he can get
Im a little wary of Toms voice sometimes. (Each issue has been
transportation hell join you better than the last.Everyone liked the look of every issue, did they?
in Albany
I didnt.) SPIN admittedly was weak in content in the beginning. But in
Photo by Mal Anderson
259

Sept. of 84, despite the weak content of past SPINS, Tom compromised the amount of a pay
raise he wanted by as much as $2,400. Only to say in Sept. of 85 his salary had been a fair one
up until then. Still, none of us is perfect, eh? After a quick consultation with a number of the most
easily accessible E.C. members, I being, I think, of sound and certainly of the same mind as others,
agreed, with some reluctance to Toms latest compromise. This is: that he accepts his E.C.approved raise (a raise that was retroactive through July, Aug., Sept. with the proviso that the E.C.
also gives him $800 a month more for Oct., Nov., Dec., or another $2,400. [As well see shortly, I
made a serious error in misreading, misunderstanding what Tom asked for.] Itd been clearly
understood, however, that at our Dec. Meeting we would assess his work and decide on whether
hed get the $18,000 a year salary hed like.
So now, forewarned as it were, Im on the one hand at least glancingly looking into the
possibility of replacing Tom, moving SPIN out of Colorado Springs (I think the magazine puts undo
focus on Bob Tretheways preoccupations), even as Im on the other hand considering how
cooperative, pleasant and personable Tom often is, what an asset he is to Headquarters not just as
Editor but someone who can be called on, especially in a pinch, to do other things, and how I must
do my very best to work with him to make SPIN all that we want it to be.
As was made clear at our Sept. Lake Placid E.C. Meeting, we do want Tom to take note of the
following directives (do want him to be judged by his observance or lack of observance of them):
More international coverage. (What are the worlds best players doing, where? What are
their lives like?)
More human-interest stories. In such writing, the most important thing is the Individual Voice
we hear. So, mgod, we want different voices, variety.
More articles on Juniors. If SPIN were my paper, and I were trying to reflect the youth
movement were all supposedly pushing for, I would definitely go for the rhetoric of a four-page
removable Junior Section. (In the Hoosier Open, there were 48 entries in the U-17s. Several
stories on Juniors could have and should have been gotten at that tournament.) [Yeah, Tim? Then
why didnt YOU get one?]
More assigning of reporters to cover major tournaments. Dammit, I had to ask Paul
Vancura to please write something on the every-four-years, Olympic-like World Masters (Over 40)
International in Toronto this August. And if I didnt write at least something on the 313-entry CNE,
the 220-entry Hoosier Open, and the 168-entry Westfield Open, these tournaments very possibly
wouldnt be covered. Thats not rightwe lose goodwill that way.
Tom is certainly cooperative about putting my stories in when I do them, but he also seems
to have the attitude that its not part of his job to go out and hustle, to insist on coverage. If Sue
Butler was too slow with her copy (she says Tom had it in plenty of time)specifically her copy on
the Junior Olympics that had time value, Tom should have pushed her to get the story to him quickly
so as to make the Sept. issue.
Tom says he thinks about reducing SPIN to 24 pages. Is this an Editor who thinks first and
foremost of making the magazine better, or in terms of Hell, this is a lot of work? To reduce SPIN
to 24 pages would be a disaster. I honestly dont think Tom realizes how critical a number of
playerstournament playershave been of the lack of readability in the 28 pages he has now (and
perhaps my Up Front column contributes to it). At the Sept. E.C. Meeting, we rightly urged him to
cut down the monthly rating lists and to avoid using a whole page every issue listing USTTA
Approved Equipmentthus freeing pages for other things. I do think Toms out-of-the-blue
coaching article in the Sept. issue was worthwhile, and Id like more such creative and personalized
articlesfrom anyone.
260

This Oct. 2 letter of mine drew an Oct. 17 response to the E.C. from Tom:
I was dumbfounded to read in President Boggans Oct. Update that I was to receive $800
more a month for Oct., Nov., and Dec. As much as I would like to collect this unexpected,
unrequested amount, I simply cant take advantage of Timmys misunderstanding concerning any
salary negotiations.
What I actually suggested was that the USTTA pay me $16,800 for this year instead of
$16,000, with the expectation that my salary be raised to $18,000 at the Dec. Meeting pending
E.C. approval. In other words, I asked for $800 more for the three months remaining in this year,
NOT $800 more a month through December.
I was equally dumbfounded that no E.C. member called me to question Timmys
explanation, especially when the amount stated EXCEEDED my official request of $18,000
[$16,000 plus $2,400=$18,400].
However, though Tom apparently felt he would be paid $18,000 for the next year, we had
not authorized that, and I specifically had told him wed have to decide that at the Dec. Meeting. So
I thought (if you could call it thinking) in terms of this $800 a month being a temporary measure
(though something of a hold-up) to pacify Tom for the next three months. I didnt want Tom to
abruptly quit and thought to buy time. Clearly, my head wasnt on straight to make this excessive
adjudication, and neither was any other E.C. members, for no one questioned this unsound move.
How can we possibly afford to be so flippant about expenditures, says Tom, when we
are currently $34,000 in debt? [Point well taken, and I appreciate Toms Team Player
cooperation in making this correction. Bravo, Tom!]
Tom continues [and now Im not liking what I read]: I am happy
with my current salary and [$2,000] travel-expense budget. You must realize
that my request for a raise pertained more to the Editorship than to Tom
Wintrich, Depending on what happens at the December Meeting, there is a
distinct possibility that I will not continue as Editor in 1986. If that proves to
be true, the E.C. will have to deal with another Editor and I will forewarn you
now that when you ask someone to single-handedly produce a near-monthly
tabloid, you can hardly expect to pay any less for that talent than you
presently do. [When, after 13 years, I was fired as Editor of our National
Magazine, I was netting $5,000 a year.]
Tom Wintrich
As the Dec. E.C. Meeting approaches, I wrote to my E.C.: well
soon find out if Tom wants to continue as Editor. Whether we want him to continue is something
well have to discuss. I think hes the second best Editor weve ever had, and in that sense its ironic
that people are dissatisfied with the magazine.
I continually have mixed feelings about Tom, his work. The finish of his Oct. 17 letter did
not sit well with me. He writes: I do not want to quit the USTTA, but Im frustrated by our lack of
a business mentality and a bona fide plan for growth, Consequently, I am preparing a business plan
in terms of the Editorship and other responsibilities connected with that position. It will be written
from the Associations point of view, not mine. I expect to submit this to you by the end of
November, and all that I ask is that you consider it as a business proposal that requires business
decisions.
I, Tim, dont believe this voice. I dont believe Tom is happy with his current salary. I think
he thinks very much of himself, his salary, more than intensely, enthusiastically he does the magazine.
I dont want his business planI dont see him as a businessman. [To my knowledge, I never got
such a plan from Tom; certainly I dont have a copy of it.] I want him, instead of writing letters like
261

this, to make contacts in the table tennis world, here and abroad, and get some variety, some
life, into the magazine. When I dont hear honesty in a voice, when I hear confusion, I lose
confidence in that voice. Still, I know, I know, everyone has his weaknesses and what one says
at any one time is not necessarily definitive. However, Toms psyche is undeniably not wholly
with the magazine.

Diana Gee and Sean ONeill, U.S. Amateur Players of the Year
Gee photo by Mal Anderson

Tom should be praised, though, for getting those Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year
write-ups to The Olympian on the spur of the moment. A Thanks, too, to Bob Tretheway for
quickly researching out the best candidates. The Selection Committee went on to pick Sean ONeill
and Diana Gee, our U.S. Amateur Players of the Year, and Tom has agreed to again get
trophieswhich will be presented to Sean and Diana at the Nationals. Tom, whos been something
of a catch-all employee, is going to be paid $1,000 for readying Jeff Masons book for sale. [Nope,
this apparently didnt happen, for in my Jan. 20, 1986 Update to the E.C., I wrote: Im finishing
the editing of Masons bookand am sending it back to the original typist to pick up the corrected
copy in the correct type. Both Bob Tretheway and I thought it had, in Bobs words, real value, a
lot of good informationbut we both thought it too repetitive.]
Its ironic to me that were trying to do moremore certainly than most administrations
before usand yet the argument is: were just not getting our moneys worth. What people want for
their money, what they getits all relative. To some, money means a lot, to others not so much. Its
hard to get out of penny-pinching habits, hard to get out of spendthrift habits. Its difficult to act
when youre not used to acting and are wary of doing so. One thing is sure: we cannot move the
sport without spending. We cannot think the way most administrations in the past have thought.
Without money and manpower the USTTA will sit as theyve almost always sat, listening to their
critics, not themselves doers, offer only advice and complaints.
Tretheways Responsibilities
I definitely have mixed feelings about Bob, whos making an all-out effortdoes it amount
to a showdown ? (I hope not)for an E.D.-like job. I dont think for what Bob wants hes proven
himself to usand therefore I personally, under no circumstances, would consider giving him a
years trial at Executive Directors pay. Back in August, one longtime observer said to me, Look,
hes worked hard at being Coaching Chairman. If you want, give him a bonus for that, and forget
him. Hes a lightweightdont even give him a three-month trial: youll get locked in with him. We
need a heavyweight Executive Director.
262

I cant forget Bob. On the contrary, Id like to monitor his progress. For example,
since apparently almost anyone can come to Bobs coaching camps, Id like to have a list of
(the 30?) coaches whove attended this year and any evidence that they are indeed coaching.
Its clear that those who have attended are pleased with Bobs organizational work. He
mattershes a liaison man who gives his charges attention, who does something for them,
who hustles and wears the face of optimism. But does the fact that they enjoy the experience
lead to USTTA progress? Id also like Bob to track the (53 junior, 23 adult?) players
whove attended his camps in 85 (SPIN, Dec., 1985, 14) and check their ratings now with
what they had, say, a year ago. Since one of the reasonsperhaps the major onewe hired
Bob was to increase our membership, Id like to know specifically how hes doing. I note that
in a Junior Olympics article in SPIN (Dec., 1985, 14) juniors got a free, one year, full
benefit membership for participating in a Junior Olympics-oriented tournament at any level.
While the conclusion was that this didnt promote as much tournament activity as expected,
278 new juniors are now members of the USTTA (130 from Colorado). How about some
specifics? How many of them ever paid money to play in a tournament again? That goes for
participants at junior camps held in other places besides
Colorado.
In Sept., Bob was also requested to explain before the
Dec. meeting how his current projects would help the USTTA
achieve another major reason we had for hiring himto get
table tennis into the schools. As National Program Director,
Bobs objectives are?In what time frame? Has he got any
PLANeither short-term or long-term, either in promoting
programs or in fund-raising from non-T.T. sponsors? (What
product do we market? How?)
Perhaps the majority of E.C. members feel that at our
Bob Tretheway
upcoming Meeting both Tom and Bob should be fired. Their
patterns of worth to us have been establishedand were
either enthusiastic or at least satisfiedor were not. Bobs Coaching Program is suspect, is it?
As is his long-range networking of Recreational Table Tenniswith, for example, repeated
emphasis on aligning with the Boy Scouts (SPIN, Dec., 1985, 13)?
Of course, Bob, even more than Tom, has always had catch-all
dutiessometimes important duties, like just writing a very helpful Grand
Guideline for the Southern California TTA thats trying to get funding
from the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Southern California. Recently
he was in Orlando for the State Games Meeting and gave a wellreceived presentation (SPIN, Dec., 1985, 14). As a result, he thinks T.T.
will be in more State Games next year, and wants to tailor material for
them.** Bob also held a helpful meeting recently with the Executive
Director of the National Junior College Athletic Association in the hope
of getting inter-scholastic play going in two-year colleges. Andhooraythanks to Bob
(SPIN, Dec., 1985, 14), the ACU-I finals will return and are set for Colorado Springs, Apr.
26-27. All finalists will be given free food and lodging, and play will be in the Sports Center
(on a spacious hardwood floor).
History shows that, like any of us working for the USTTA, Bob and Tom do largely
what they feel they can do, are comfortable doing. So if I fire Bob, I might as well fire myself?
263

Danner Article and Boggan Rebuttal

In his protest Letter to Spin (Oct., 1985, 4), Carl Danner said
that the USTTA is not serving the interests of players who want to go
to our National Championships; said, in fact, that both the U.S. Open
and U.S. Closed are being ruined for the average player.
He choice-of-weapons asks me if I, as USTTA President, or
perhaps just plain Tim, would up-front care to discuss the matter.
I would. Though I insist on prefacing my remarks with this thought:
that with Carl, whos generally got uncommonly good sense, I usually
touch glasses not swords.
My first thought is that, despite all the goodwill and several readings
I can muster for Carl (and Ummmph! Heres a big kiss for you
sweetheart), its taken me awhile to tell just where his head is.Whats
Carl Danner
that? You think it goes without saying that 2082-rated Carl, who
modestly describes himself as an average player, is publicly protesting in the average players cause?
I think not.
My second thought is that, regardless of what I perceived to be Carls confused expression,
his conflicting value judgments, I dont agree with him that I have been or am derelict in my duty to
serve, dont agree with him that our most important Championships are being ruined for the average
player.
What was at first difficult for me to understand about Carls argument is not that theres
been a proliferation of events in the U.S. Open since 1972 but that the proliferation has been, as he
says, pointless from the point of view of the average player or, whats worse, has contributed to
the ruination of the tournament for the average player.
This year there were 52 events in the U.S. Open (not counting the mens and womens
international team matches) and there will be 34 events in the U.S. Closed. In the 72 U.S. Open,
where there were a good many Over 40and Under 17events and Wheelchair and various
Doubles events, there was nothing else but a Mens, a Mens As (for players 2150-2300?), a
Mens Bs (for players 2000-2150?), and a catch-all Mens Consolation; also, a Womens,
Womens As, and a catch-all Womens Consolation. Obviously, back then the average player
shall we say 1250-1750?had, by todays standards, very, very little play.
What of course the USTTA, by increasing the number of events in its U.S. Open, its U.S.
Closed, has undeniably done in the intervening 13 years is to give not only every U.S. Open/Closed
tournament-goer more play but in particular the average U.S. Open/Closed tournament-goer more
play.
When Carl, as spokesman for the average player, speaks of the pointless proliferation of
1985 U.S. Open events, he means the pointless U-1000, U-1150, U-1300, U-1400, U-1500,
U-1600, U-1700, U-1800 events, the very events the average player participates in. When he
speaks of the pointless proliferation of eventsround robin eventsin the 1985 U.S. Closed, he
means the pointless U-1100, U-1300, U-1450, U-1650, U-1750 events, the very events the
average player participates in. Thirteen years ago this wasnt happening, he saysbetter to go
back to those days, better for the average player. Mgod, could any sane person really believe that?
Could Carl himself really believe that? And, if so, does his viewpoint represent that of the average
player? I think not.
Carls choice of comparing the 85 Open to the 72 Open is interesting to me. That Eastern
locale had a backyard potential for players unmatched anywhere else in the country. The tournament
264

drew 740 players, the great majority of whom were not players of even Class B (2000-2150
ability). But although there werent that many events for them to play in, they wanted to be part of
the special action, play right there with the best players whom they enjoyed watching. And with all
matches being single elimination, one can see how the tournament could be finished in three days.
But back then who didnt think they were getting their moneys worth?
Not Carl certainly. Back then, in that historical reality, 13-year-old Carl could commute to
his Long Island home in between however many events he wanted to play inMens, Mens As,
Bs, Jr.s, and perhaps in Mens and/or Junior Consolations. But now for 27-year-old Carl to go to
Miami Beach, to Vegas, its like taking a vacation, and, oh, oh, paying for a vacation.
What Carl wants now is not to fly to a four or five-day Major Championship, but to a two
or three-day oneFriday evening through Sunday afternoon. Otherwise, it would cost much
morefor another day or twoin hotel expenses and lost pay. And wouldnt it be nice to pay not
$85 in entry fees for expanded play but $5, $10, or, say, for five events, maybe $25. And if only we
could get rid of all those proliferating events for U-1000-U-2000 average players (for sure, extra
days to play them)or, to put it another way, get rid of all those average players themselves, then
every six months Carl could three-day get in and get outand hurry back to the business of his life.
And that sure would be a service to the USTTA and the average player.
Carl says he feels taxed to pay a five-event Championship entry fee of $85and, hey, I
sympathize. I feel taxed myself sometimes. Even this writingwhich I deem a duty of the spirit
taxes me. But, you know, its becoming clearer and clearer now, Im beginning to understand: Carl
isnt writing from the point of view of the average player, whos concerned with the actual amount of
play he gets in coming to a tournament, hes writing from his own 2082-rated point of view. And
now theres an added concern that surfaces as he speaks. He thinks, quite unlike many a 12501750 average player, that his game qualifies him to win some prize money.
At least in Miami, he says (just as if he were there, which he wasnt),
we average players had a shot at some prize money$3,800 out of
$13,100, or 29% in non-Championship events. Whereas in Las Vegas, the
odds will be awfulless than 10% of the prize money. Gee, such terrible
odds. That is, were they for a game having much to do with luck. But Carl, a
serious student of casino blackjack, who knows the odds, realizes full well
that table tennis is a sport not where luck but skill pays off, and when it comes
to winning prize money the odds for lower-rated players in any event are
always awfuland justly so.
The whole entry-fee thing, says Carl, resembles a betting pool into which all pay, but
from which only a few may draw a winner. That is NOT a good analogy. For Carl to equate Skill
with Luck is just nonsensical. He doesnt represent the average playerhe who recognizes he has
minimal ability to win prize money but is interested in as much competitive play as possible. In fact,
as I hear Carl talking, I dont believe he represents himself.
For the good of table tennis, Carl wants our Major Championships to be as inexpensive for
attendees as possible. Trouble is, this attitude, this cheapness, has been, and still is, the scourge of
the sport.
Perhaps historically, though, its understandable, for, until Fred Danners hard work and
Jimmy McClures foresight allowed us to receive that L.A. Olympic Games windfall, there was
never any maneuvering money for the USTTA to even try to change the longtime deplorable
IMAGE of our sportthat sport in which player after player has grown up scrounging as much as
he can while paying as little as he can.
265

The Miami Beach and Vegas high-quality tournaments I supply-and-demand pray will not
be lost on the real average player who I hope has acquired more Association spirit than Carl seems
to show at the moment.
Carl taxes me, offends me, when he resents what my USTTA Tournament Operations
Directors do with the entry fees they collect, if indeed, says Carland Dennis Masters and Dan
Simon, whom I cant praise enough, must have loved this sweet thought: if, really, the USTTA gets
the entry-fee money, for Carl can only snidely guess it does.
Carl taxes me, offends me, when he insists that
unless sponsorship or spectator revenues are developed as
a source of funding, we just cant afford to try to raise our
longtime lamentable IMAGE by spending money as we have
spent it on our 85 Open and are going to spend it on our
85 Closed. To this my charged spirit says just the reverse:
that we must spend money and that, as we spend, the sport
will expand, not shrink. The pursuit of excellence demands
all the encouraging, rewarding prize money for the
International and U.S. stars at our Open and Closed we can
Heres what Tim hopes the average
muster; demands for every player the best hospitality
tournament spectator will look like?
arrangements and playing conditions we can provide; and
the smoothest, most cooperative running of the matches we can possibly schedule.
My article drew this response from Baltimores Bob Lee (SPIN, Dec., 1985, 4):
Tim Boggan did not respond to the central points of Carl Danners letter. I am not 2082
Carl Danner: I am Under-1500 Bob Lee and I am not willing to pay the too high entry fees
intended to generate higher prize money for top players.
I do not intend to be taxed to donate to their purses by paying exorbitant entry fees, and
many of my table tennis friends feel the same way.
Tim responds: I most certainly responded to ALL points in Carls letter. But, Bob, you cant
see it. You just dont get it.
You think you donate, are taxed,
when the prize money goes to the elite players. So, o.k., have it
your waybut then you cant watch them play matches, hopefully
in the finest venues available that you yourself play in, until you pay
a daily admission fee.

Jimmy McClure

Heres Jimmy McClure responding to my response to

Danner:
I have to agree with some of what Carl Danner says. It is
getting very expensive to play in the Nationals. We cannot continue
to depend on the entry fees to pay for the prize fund and all the
rest of the cost of the tournament. The distribution of the prize fund
is not fair to the average player. Either charge more for the socalled elite players [the so-called elite? what would YOU call
the best of our players?] or give a bigger more fair [Fair!] share of
the prize money to the poorer players who make up the bulk of the
draw. Better still have an invitational tournament with the 32 best
266

players, according to ratings, who enter and get a sponsor [of the 32 how many do you think would
get a sponsor?] and maybe charge each player $50 to enter a two-day eventsingles and doubles
only for both men and women. If you dont have a sponsor for the prize moneyjust dont give as
much.
Tim responds:
So, Jimmy, if no sponsor can be found, you want our best players to put up the prize
money they themselves will win? And then as they often play exciting match after match, how much
of a daily admission price do you think they ought to charge those who want to watch them? And if
a sponsor can be found, and the players put on show after show, again what do you think they
ought to charge those who want to watch them?
Over and over again, year after year, I continue to rail at (its long infected even Jimmy too)
the entrenched amateurism in the Sport. As President of the Association, I oppose it because its
give-up mired in the past, is against progress, against Hope.
SELECTED NOTES.
*George Grannum had a bad experience he recounted in SPIN (Mar., 1985, Mar., 4):
My buddy Don is gone. He tried to call me his table tennis Nemesis, but, over the 14 years
we competed against each other, neither one of us was ever able to consistently dominate the other.
One of the original members of the Topspin Team in the Greater New York Table Tennis League,
Don was alternately my friend, my teammate, doubles partner in league and tournament play,
traveling companion, and, more often than not, my toughest competitor.
Donald Basemore, 51, collapsed and died Friday evening, Feb. 8, 1985,
while competing in a table tennis match that I was umpiring. Up 12-10 in the
second after losing the first, Don calmly placed his bat on the table and slowly
sank to the floor. All efforts by onlookers, fire department personnel, paramedics,
and, later, doctors at Mary Immaculate Hospital, were in vain.
He left a wife, three sons and a daughter.
**Mel Eisner recently went to and won the N.Y. State Senior Table Tennis Games.
If I heard him correctly, he said they played 15-point games, and that there were more
women than men there. It would have been nice, Mel said, if the USTTA had been ready to present
the winner with a free USTTA membership (in which case of course Mel would have lost the final).
Coming up are the Long Island Senior Gamessupporting the idea that Senior play, as Bob
Tretheway suggests, is becoming more popular.

267

Chapter Eighteen
1985: USA Resident Training Program (RTP) Aims to Develop World Class Youth.
1985: International Coaches/Officials Speak Out on Youth Development. 1985: European
Tournaments. 1985-86: Liguo/Henan Li Ai and Carl Danner Talk About Style.1986: RTP is
the Place to Be.
Henan Li Ai tells Yim Gee (SPIN, Dec., 1985, 11) how excited
she is as National Development Coach to be working at our Resident
Training Program in Colorado Springs where shes committed to
developing a world-class table tennis program for the U.S. In speaking of
her most promising youthful RTP charges she says, we can expect some
of those 13 to 18-years old to be world-class in five years; some of those
8 to 12 years old to be world-class in 10 years.
She elaborates on each of the following elements she believes are
necessary to produce world-class athletes: (1) Coaching staff and
athletes. (2) Technical and physical training. (3) Foreign and domestic
practice partners. (4) Domestic and international competitions.

Henan Li Ai

Coaching staff/athletes:
With limited funds, limited coaching staff, and limited juniors available, we have started out
with a small RTPfive boys and five [then, with Rebecca Martin leaving, reduced to four] girls; a
coach; a resident camp manager [with Lenny Hauers resignation, a replacement has to be named],
and a sports psychologist.
Ideally, the coach will come to have a thorough understanding of each athletes techniques,
temperament, and mental and physical strength, and so be able to take advantage of the trainees
uniqueness. Long-term residency requires a resident manager to take care of the athletes daily
activities. His/her job is to help keep the athlete disciplinedsee he/she eats right, has study time,
and rests appropriately. As for the sports psychologist, he can
offer often needed assistance to the young person living away
from home in new surroundings and feeling pressure on and off
the court.
Technical and physical training:
Li Henan recalls how, before the 1961 World
Championships, she (and her husband Liguo) were two of the
108 elected to train at the National Training Center in Beijing,
and how, out of this super-camp and its uninterrupted training,
world champions such as Guo Yuehua, Ge Xinai, Zhang Li, and
Cai Zhenhua were born. Perhaps the RTP in the U.S. will also
produce champions?
Foreign/domestic practice partners:
Good practice partners will help a trainee advance
faster, for he now has the advantage of being with a partner
who can maintain a longer rally, hit higher quality shots in terms
268

Zhang Li
From Chinas Sports, No. 1, 1979

of more spin, speed, and wider angles, and provide unexpected variations in play. Especially needed
are foreign practice partners to teach trainees how to cope with, then imitate, the powerful loops of
the Europeans and the lightning speeds and deceptive serves of the Asians. We might take as an
example the Nigerian Team. In 1972, they trained in China, then hired Chinese coaches and
practice partners to work with their team. As a result, the Nigerians have won the U.S. Open Team
Championships the last four years in a row.
Domestic and international competitions:
For a young athlete, a tournament is the place where he/she can acquire experience in
competition, learn to adapt to different styles of opponents, develop will power, and try new
techniques learned in training. Also, against serious opposition he can better assess his own strong
and weak points, and then back home can revise his personal training program accordingly. By
going to international tournaments, trainees get first-hand knowledge of current world-class trends
and techniques, and the more they understand and absorb, the more incentive they have to train
harder, set higher goals for themselves, increase their successes, and gain more confidence.
At the
Gothenburg World
Championships, Sue
Butler had
interviewed several
notable players and
officials and some
had thoughts
regarding junior play
(SPIN, Sept., 1985,
22). Heres former World Champion and current ITTF Vice President Ichiro Ogimura:
In Japan we have just started a National Championship for boys and girls under nine. It was
played on lower tables (10 cm. lower) and we used a lighter and softer ball. We
also prohibited the use of inverted rubber to avoid too much spin technique. The
rackets were the same size, but we had longer rallies in which the main element
was placement with basic spin. It was very successful. There were hundreds of
children from all over Japan and we are going to adopt the kind of table that is
convertible (from 76 cm. to 66 cm). Also, we are trying to make a bigger ball that
will have more air resistance so the speed of play will be reduced.
Former Swedish Mens Coach Tomas Berner
had this to say:
In Sweden we have no problem getting the
girls to start, but the problem is how to keep them.
We are trying to have them practice one hour, the
first half hour of which is hard practice, but then the
rest of the time is fun. It is very important that they
can play and enjoy the game in their early years. Also,
children must see top stars because they are very good
Ichiro Ogimura
at imitating and it is much better to see the actual
From Tennistavolo,
varying play than to hear about it from a trainer.
Tomas Berner
1987
269

Current Swedish Coach Hans Kron says he likes the

emotional intensity and fighting spirit of the American juniors.
Why then dont they win more? asked Sue. I think, said
Kron, because they dont have the tradition. You have Schiff,
McClure, Pagliaro, Miles, Reismanbut they are too old.
Youve had a large gap in the development of the sport in the
U.S. After your early successes, you came very late into top
table tennis. Twelve years ago if someone had asked me, How
good is the U.S.? I would have laughed and said, They dont
play.You have gone way up quickly. But now you are
experiencing bad gaps in the strength of your juniors.
Sue asked Kron if he were worried about gaps in
Swedens own junior development, and he replied, We are
worried about that. We take the best of each age group and
keep track of their development so we dont have gaps in
Swedish Coach Hans Kron
incoming talent. But we dont have as many juniors as we
From Frances Tennis de Table, May, 91
used to and I dont know what the reason is.
Finally, ITTF President H. Roy Evans has some thoughts:
In Asia there is not much Junior tournament playthat is, organized U-17U-14 events.
But you should see the European Junior Championships. There is the most extraordinary play
among the U-14s. In the U-17s you expect it, but the younger players are quite remarkable.
I think junior competitions are important. Unfortunately, there is always a lot of attrition. If
out of 100 juniors who start, you get 10 to stick with it youre lucky.
Table tennis is an extremely difficult
sport to play, and we are suffering in
Europe through the upsurge of
badminton and squash. Badminton is a
much easier sport to play. Technically,
neither badminton nor squash have the
problems of speed and spin that table
tennis has. Many youngsters wont
bother with our sport because of the difficulties.
The way I think you can interest young players is
to have a lot of tournaments and have some goal
for them to aim at, so that a child of 12 can say,
Im a champion.
USTTA Vice-President Mel Eisner
devotes an Up Beat column (SPIN, Oct., 1985,
23) to the importance of togetherness between
parents and children. One way of doing this of
course, as Mel has done with his son Brian, is to
share participation in table tennisboth beginning
at home, then graduating to travel and
tournaments. Special time with son or daughter
is built in with this sport, is automatic.
270

Brian and Mel Eisner

Though it is autumn now,

begins this unsigned International
Sports Press Association
(A.I.P.S.) article on the 1985
European Youth Championships,
it may be a well-founded
statement that the Dutch Table Tennis Association is
going to close its most successful year yet. The Dutch
Womens Team won a bronze at the World
Championships in Gothenburg; Vriesekoop leads the
European Womens ranking list; and the Dutch cadets
captured gold in the doubles at the Europeans. A very
nice present for the 50-year-old Dutch Association.
Congratulations!
Bettine Vriesekoop
Thus, it was not by chance that the Dutch
From Tennistavolo, Mar-Apr, 89
th
Association staged the 28 European Youth and Cadet
Championships and did everything in their power to make this outstanding event a great success for
all.
The athletes of 25 nations were put up in two fine hotels; and a quiet environment and
colour TV-sets in all the rooms provided relaxation for the players in their time away from the
tournament. Unfortunately, though, it took them half an hour by bus to reach the sports hall from the
hotels. And then they were forced to spend the whole day in the hall, even if they had matches
scheduled in the morning and then not until evening. A less fine hotel nearer to the sports hall, and
transportation service back and forth would have been better, more relaxing. Also, it wouldnt have
been a bad idea to restore the day off at these European Youth Championships. The Team event,
for example, could have been staged in a shorter period of time without any extra expense for the
host nation.
These, however, were only minor faults; mentioning them is rather a piece of advice for the
hosts of forthcoming European Championships. These faults were by no means detrimental to the
success of this years continental tournament for the youngat which one witnessed tough fights,
major upsets, good playing, and a poor showing by the umpires.
Prior to the tournament, everyone heard with satisfaction that the umpires were going to ban
illegal serves and punish the coaches who interrupted games by shouting directions to their players.
At last, we thought, one tournament
where the rules of behavior would be
observed. But we were let down badly.
Many players frequently indulged in
wrong services. The umpires called only
balls hit from behind the back. The
inconsistent behavior of umpires upset
both players and coaches, and resulted in
a lot of problems. In the Boys Team
semifinal match between Yugoslavias
Lupulescu and Swedens Andersson, the
An expedite match
umpires brought in, as if with the sound of
a gong, the Expedite Rule. This, however,
271

was not due to any untimely error by the players, but was clearly a mistake on the part of the
umpires, since almost no ball exchanged consisted of more than two or three hits. Coaches kept on
shouting to their players almost after every pointand the umpires only seldom warned them for
this.
The matches themselves were hard fought. In the preliminaries, Sweden lost to Romania,
but then Romania lost to the Czechs who were beaten by the Swedes, allowing Sweden to advance
to the semis. There, thanks largely to Andersson, the Swedes downed the Yugoslavs who
afterwards, on defeating Russia 5-1, finished third. In the final, Sweden defeated France, 5-3.
In the Girls Team event, Hungary, the heavy favorite, fell in the quarters. The title then went
to the Czechs who stopped Sweden 3-0. Russia came third with a 3-0 win over Romania.
In individual play, Englands Carl Prean won the
Boys
final over Romanias Calin Toma, 13, -16, 19.
Carl Prean
Photo by
Coming third with a win over Russias Vladimir
Robert Compton
Markinkevic was Romanias Vasile Florea, destined 11
years later to win our U.S. Open. In these individual
events, 80% of the favorites could not make it to the
semis. There were almost 20 boys with the same
chance for medals. Who would have thought prior to
the tournament that not one of the following players
would reach the semis: Lupulescu and Primorac
(YUG), Von Scheele and Andersson (SWE), Gatien
and Monnessin (FRA), Grman and Braun (TCH), and
Fetzner and Rosskopf (FRG). Boys Doubles went to
Yugoslavs Ilije Lupulescu/Zoran Primorac over the
Czechs Milan Grman/Josef Braun. Czechs Petr
Javurek/Tomas Janci finished third over Italys Lorenzo
Nanonni/ Francesco Manneschi.
The
Girls final was won by West Germanys Olga
Nemes over Yugoslavias Vesna Ojstersek, 9, 14.
Third went to Romanias Kinga Lohr over West
Germanys Katja Nolten. As with the Boys,
upsets abounded and at least 10 girls were in
contention for medals. Those who did not make it
to the semis were: Batorfi (HUN), Masarykova
and Kasalova (TCH), Khasanova (URS), and
Svensson and Wiktorsson (SWE). Winners of
Girls Doubles was the Czech team of Renata
Kasalova/Daniela Davidkova; runner-ups were
Nemes/Nolten. Third went to Russias Filura
Khasanova/Elena Komrakova over teammates
Olga Nemes
Helena Timina/Galina Melnik. The Mixed Doubles
Photo by Mal Anderson
was won by Prean/Batorfi over Grman/Kasalova.
Two other Czech teams fought it out for thirdwith Javurek/Alena Safarova defeating Janci/
Davidkova.
272

As for the cadets and cadettes, one could see many new faces in the Team event. This,
once again, proved that the European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) was right when it ruled that the
draw of the individual events had to be done after the Team event. Russia won the Boys Team
titleover England, 3-2. Romania finished third by downing Hungary, 3-1. Romania was best
among the Girls, edging Yugoslavia, 3-2. The Russians were third with a 3-1 win over the Czechs.
In the Cadet
Romanias
Singles final, Russias
Otilia
Dimitrij Mazunov
Badescu
defeated Englands
Matthew Syed, 17,
17. Two Romanians
vied for third with
Romulus Revisz
winning out over
Calin Creanga.
Among the
Cadettes, Romanias
Otilia Badescu
bested her teammate
Russias
Dimitrij
Emilia Ciosu in a
Mazunov
three-game final, From Tennis
18, 13, 16. Russian
de Table,
teammates battled for thirdwith Tatjan Medvedeva getting
Nov., 89
the better of Andjela Tain.
Here in Hague one could witness a diminishing gap
between the top table tennis nations and those of the middle-field. Scientific methods, professional
coaches, and perfect techniques are taken for granted in almost every countrythat is why the
athletes of many heretofore hardly noticed nations are starting to catch up with those on top.
Vanishing differences between the best players and the middle-field has also had its effect,
unfortunately, on the attractiveness of the game. Ball exchanges have become shorter, consisting
virtually of service and return, and rendering the game unattractive for outsiders. The player to first
have a chance to topspin makes a pointor else his topspin is countered or smashed. This comes
to three hits. Due to this, and factors of uncertainty and improvisation, players lose games after
comfortable leads, or they win after trailing the adversary by many points. Due to this kind of blitz
game and the points made in a row, the difference in the command of both players cannot emerge
clearly, especially since it is very small anyway. This is the main reason why there are no heavy
favorites in the field, unlike in the good old days. Uncertainty is further boosted by the growing
number of players wielding rackets with sandwich rubbers. The game has been speeded upwith
a diminishing difference in the players command, a shrinking number of top-class players, and a
more powerful middle-field.
The 28th European Youth Championships featured extremities. We have to cry and laugh at
the same time. The reason for crying is that the attractiveness of the game, and its popularity with the
public, has dwindled even more. The reason for laughing is that not a single match can be
considered a sure bet in advance; there are many, many contenders. The atmosphere of the
tournaments is tense, and the players fight fiercely for every point. [Isnt there something to be said
for this development? Is it just to be considered laughable?]
273

All thirteen members of the U.S. International Wheelchair Table Tennis Team won one or
more medals at the August, 1985 Vienna Sports Festival. Both players and coaches (Jim Beckford,
Chris Lehman, and Marty Prager) who attended (SPIN, Dec., 1985, 21) received USTTA pins,
patches, and gifts (I presume both for self and for distribution at the tournament). Here, as of Oct.
15, are the highest-rated players in their class (Class 1 denotes the most handicapped; Class 4 the
least). Asterisks show number of medals won in Vienna:
Men: Class 1A: Skip Wilkins (1103), Sebastian DeFrancesco (1012).* Class 1B: Bart
McNichol (1316), Ken Brooks (1079), Gary Blanks (1046).* Class IC: Peter Zarba (1054),* Rich
Rosenbaum (893). Class 2: Tyler Kaus (1378), Mike LoRusso (1278).* Class 3: John Gray (1143),*
Ernest Morgan (935). Class 4: Mike Dempsey (2031),*** Shawhan Fox (1363), Elliot Schloss
(1257),* Chuck Focht (1226).* Also: Roger Kellough (943),* and Ronnie Kirkland (unrated).*
Women: Class 1A: Kim Holm (514), Kathy McCaffrey (unrated). Class 1B: Ruth Rosenbaum
(862), Tara Tonina (625). Class 2: Pam Stewart (988),* Wanda Strange (843). Class 3: Jennifer BrownJohnson, 1167), *** Jackie DiLorenzo. Class 4: Terese Terranova (981),*** Stacie Norman (673).
Bohdan Dawidowicz (SPIN, Dec., 1985, 16) gives us the Results of the Polish Open,
played Oct. 25 in Olsztyn:
Mens Team: Final: Sweden d. Hungary, 3-1:Waldner (SWE) d. Kriston, 13, 14; Lindh
(SWE) d. Takacs, 11, 8; Kriston/Takacs (HUN) d. Appelgren/Carlsson, 17, 16; Waldner d.
Takacs,18, 11. Semis: Sweden d. Poland I, 3-2: Waldner (SWE) d. Kucharski, 17, 12; Grubba
(POL) d. Lindh, 18, 17; Appelgren/Carlsson (SWE) d. Grubba/Kucharski, 21, 13; Grubba (POL)
d. Waldner, 11, 13; Lindh (SWE) d. Kucharski, 14, 16; Hungary d. Czechoslovakia, 3-2 (Kriston
(HUN) d. M. Broda, 9, -10, 18; V. Broda (TCH) d. Takacs, 14, 11; Broda/Broda (TCH) d.
Kriston/Takacs, 19, -12, 11; Kriston (HUN) d. V. Broda, 18, -21, 16; Takacs (HUN) d. M.
Broda, 9, 12.
Final Mens Team Standings: 1. Sweden. 2. Hungary. 3-4. Poland I/Czechoslovakia. 5-8.
Romania, West Germany, Belgium, Japan. 9-16. Russia, China, Bulgaria, Denmark, Switzerland,
France, Yugoslavia. Poland II.
274

Womens Team: Final: Hungary d. China, 3-0: Batorfi (HUN) d. Feng Jung, -16, 16, 7; Olah
(HUN) d. Liu Yang, 19, 16; Batorfi/Olah (HUN) d. Feng Jung/Ma Shuang Ying, -18, 13, 10. Semis:
Hungary d. Czechoslovakia, 3-2: Batorfi (HUN) d. Safarova, 11, 11; Davidkova (TCH) d. Olah, -20,
12, 8; Batorfi/Olah (HUN) d. Safarova/Davidkova, -18, 14, 22; Safarova (TCH) d. Olah, 15, -13, 17;
Batorfi (HUN) d. Davidkova, 19, 21; China d. Russia, 3-1: Feng Jung (CHI) d. Zakharian, -16, 17, 13;
Liu Yang (CHI) d. Bulatova, 13, 19; Zakharian/Bulatova (URS) d. Feng/Ma, 14, -11, 16; Feng (CHI) d.
Bulatova, 19, -15, 13.
Final Womens Team Standings: 1. Hungary. 2. China. 3-4. Czechoslovakia/Russia. 5-8.
Yugoslavia, West Germany, Sweden, Poland I. 8-16. Finland, Bulgaria, Italy, Canada, Japan, France,
England, Romania.

Erik Lindh
Jan-Ove
Waldner

Mens Singles: Final: Waldner (SWE) d.

Lindh (SWE), 19, 17, -15, -13, 14. Semis:
Waldner d. Grubba (POL), 19, -16, 15, -13, 18;
Lindh d. Appelgren (SWE), 13, 17, 18.
Womens Singles: Final: Feng Jung (CHI) d. Batorfi (HUN), 7, -13, 15, 19. Semis: Feng d.
Batinic (YUG), 12, 12, 12; Batorfi d. Safarova (TCH), -8, 15, 18, 20.
Mens Doubles: Appelgren/Carlsson (SWE) d. Ma Wenge/Li Jy
(CHI), -14, 20, 18.
Womens Doubles: Liu/Feng (CHI) d. Davidkova/Safarova, 16, -12, 17.
Mixed Doubles: Grubba/Szato (POL) d. Kalinic/Batinic (YUG), -15,
17, 10.

Hungarys Zsuzsa Olah

Results of the Hungarian Open, played Nov.

15-17 at Miskolc: Mens Team: Final: Sweden
(3)Czechoslovakia (0). Womens Team:
Hungary (3)Romania (1). Mens Singles:
Final: Lindh d. Waldner. Semis: Lindh d.
Douglas, 7, -18, 16, -20, 19; Waldner d.
Grubba, -18, 19, -22, 15, 17. Quarters:
Waldner d. Klampar, 18, -20, -18, 14, 19;
Grubba d. Ulf Bengtsson, 13, 15, 15; Lindh d.
Persson, 20, 18, 15; Douglas d. Appelgren, 16, 17, 17. -18, 17. Womens Singles: Final:
Hungarys Csilla Batorfi
Olah d. Batorfi, -15, 13, 18, -19, 17. Semis:
Photo by Mal Anderson
275

Olah d. Alboiu (Romania), -14, 15, 15, 17; Batorfi d. Bulatova, 14, 13, -14, 19. Mens Doubles:
Lupulescu (just out of the Junior ranks)/Primorac (still a Junior) d. Miroslav/Vladislav Broda.
Womens Doubles: Feng/Jung (China) d. Kawalek/Jolanta Szatko (Poland), -21, 17, 9. Mixed
Doubles: Lupulescu/Perkucin d. Wosik/ Anka Schreiber, 10, -19, 9.
Englands George W. Yates (World Table Tennis, July-Aug., 1986, 27) tells us that for the
first time ever Poland won the Super Division title in the European League. They defeated West
Germany 6-1, runner-up Czechoslovakia, 5-2, while 4-3 staving off five teamsprevious holder
Sweden, France, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and the Netherlands whod avoided relegation with a 4-3
win over last-place finisher West Germany. Andrzej Grubba, playing in all seven ties, lost only one
match; Leszek Kucharski only three; and Stefan Dryzsel, playing just the last two ties, greatly
contributed to the Poles win by stopping the Czechs Vladislav Broda and Jindrich Pansky and
Swedens Waldner (25-23 in the third). Promoted from the First Division was not a disappointed
England but Bulgaria, whose Mariano Loukov recorded wins over both Desmond Douglas and Carl
Prean.
The USTTA Selection Committee picked Eric Boggan and Sean ONeill to play in the
Swedish Open at Landskrona, Nov. 28-Dec. 1. But Sean chose to play in the USOTCs with his
Thai friend Chartchai Teekaveerakit and Yugoslav/Canadian star Zoran Kosanovica Team that
might well be good enough to win (well seethe tournament is covered in the next chapter). In
Landskrona, Brian Masters was to replace Sean (though Ive no record, no confirmation, that a
USA team actually
played there).
Winners at this
Swedish Open: Mens
Team: 1. China. 2.
Sweden. 3. Poland. 4.
West Germany.
Womens Team: 1.
China. 2.
Czechoslovakia. 3.
South Korea. 4.
Hungary. Mens
Singles: Grubba d.
Lindh, -16, 20, 15, 8.
Womens Singles: He
He Zhili
Chen Zihe
Zhili d. Chen Zihe: 10,
From Table Tennis Report, June, 87
11, -20, 12. Mens Doubles: Lupulescu/Primorac d.
Orlowski/Pansky, 18, -15, 18. Womens Doubles: Zhu Juan (China)/Chen Zihe d. Olah/Urban, 11,
15. Mixed Doubles: Huang Wenguan/Zhu Juan d. Kalinic/Batinic, 18, 20.
Results of the Finlandia Open, played Dec. 6-8 in Helsinki: Mens Team: China (3)
England (2). Womens Team: China (3)South Korea (0). Mens Singles: Hui Jun d. Huang
Wenguan, 20, 12, -14, 13. Semis: Hui d. Matsushita, 11, 15, 16; Huang d. Loukov (Bulgaria), 10,
8, 11. Womens Singles: He Zhili d. Chen Zihe, 10, 12, 9. Semis: He d. Shin Derk Hua (South
Korea), -16, 19, 19, -15, 10; Chen d. Park Sun Hee, 13, 19, -16, 15. Mens Doubles: Hui/Huang
276

d. Prean/Cooke, 11, 20. Womens Doubles: Zhu/Chen d. Sonja Grefberg/Monica/Portin (Finland),

5, 15. Mixed Doubles: Hui/He d. Huang/Zhu, 15, 14.
As might be
expected, says
Moscow
World Table Tennis
(July-Aug., 1986),
the Soviet (URS)
Open, played at the
Central Lenin
Stadium in Moscow
Dec. 11-15, did not
draw many of the top
European stars
because it began on
the scheduled date
for the European League matches. Nevertheless, 13 countries took part in the tournament, including
China and the Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea), along with Vietnam and Indiathanks,
no doubt, to suitably-assisted travel arrangements!
From the European side, France and Finland joined the Communist countries of
Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, and the Democratic Republic of Germany
(East Germany). The Soviets took advantage of their presence to enter seven men and eight
womens teams into the tournament, sponsored by the Soviet newspaper Sovyetskaya Cultura.
Results: Mens Team: URS (5)China (3). Womens Team: China (3)PRK (0). Mens
Singles: Final: Wang Huiyuan d. Andrei Mazunov, 21, -20, 17, -23, 12. Semis: Wang d. Vladimir
Dvorak, 17, -9, 15, 19; Mazunov d. Milan Grman (Czechoslovakia), -11, -19, 17, 17, 19.
Womens Singles: Final: Guan Hua (China) d. Bulatova, 17, 18, -19, -18, 16. Semis: Guan d.
Medvyedeva (URS), 17, 19, -17, -10, 15; Bulatova d. Guergueltcheva (Bulgaria), 16, -19, 19, 19.
Mens Doubles: Mazunov/Rosenberg d. Wan Yanshen/Soo Fan (China), 18, -14, 9. Womens
Doubles: Li Huinyoo/Guan d. Bulatova/Timofeeva (URS), 20, 15. Mixed Doubles: Final: Stefanov/
Guergueltcheva d. Wan/Guan, 17, -15, 13.
An unsigned article (World
Table Tennis, Apr., 1986)
reported that Thailands capital
Bangkok, City of Temples, hosted
for the fourth time the 13th South
East Asia Games. Joining Thailand
were participants from
Kampuchea, Brunei, Burma,
Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore,
and Indonesia, its World No. 32
position making it the highestranked country attending.
The Games, staged at the
Hua Mark Sports Complex, were

His Majesty lights the Games Flame

From Table Tennis World, July-Aug., 1986

277

honoured by the interest and involvement demonstrated by His Majesty the King who, on the day
before the Opening Ceremony, lit the Games Flame in the Gardens of the Chitrlada Palace, using
the suns rays and magnifying glass to kindle the flame. A golden candle was then lit by the flame,
and placed in a traditional case, to be presented later to the Governor of the Bangkok Metropolitan
Administration.
The Official Opening of the Games took place on the following day, looking like a miniOlympic Opening with its parade of contestants, massed bands and choirs, and cultural
demonstrations. His Majesty the King declared the Games open, followed by a gun salute, a
trumpet fanfare, and the lighting of the SEA Games Flame by an athlete running into the stadium.
The whole impressive affair was rounded off by a football match between Thailand and
Malaysia, expected to be the two strongest contingents present. The Closing Ceremony was equally
a festive occasion whose theme was sport but whose more serious aspect was the demonstration of
friendship and solidarity amongst a group of nations with common aims.
Results: Mens Team: 1. Malaysia. 2. Indonesia. 3. Thailand. 4.
Singapore. Womens Team: 1. Singapore. 2. Thailand. 3. Indonesia. 4.
Malaysia. Mens Singles. Final: Limpisrivanic (THA) d. Lim Chin Leung
(MAL), 23, -17, -16, 15, 14. Semis: Limpisrivanic d. Kee Tay (MAL), 9, 22, -18, 17, 22; Leung d. Harvono Wory (INA), -19, 18, 20, -18, 25.
Womens Singles: Final: May Wong Kim (SIN) d. Shwu Fang Goh (MAL),
13, 19, -20, 11. Semis: Kim d. Carla Tedjasukmana (INA), 20, 22, -14,
21; Goh d. Apiwatanapan, A., -11, 14, -15, 15, 18. Mens Doubles: Final:
Abdulrodjak/Merringgi T.S. (INA) d. Peong Tah Seng/Kok Chong Futt
(MAL), 15, -9, 14, 16. Womens Doubles: Final: Kumutpongpanich K./
Kiewdoknoi C. (THA) d. Sumendap E./Chandra Dewi (INA), 21, 18, 12. Vichnai Limpisrivanic
From Table Tennis World,
Mixed Doubles: Final: Kantwang M./Kumutpongpanich K. (THA) d.
July-Aug., 1986
Abdulrodjak/Dewi (INA), -11, 14, 18, 18.
Earlier in this chapter, Coach Li Henan Ai was talking about what our RTP players need if
theyre intent on working to become world-class players. Now she and her husband Liguo (SPIN,
Sept., 1985, 17) give us a little history lesson on the so-called European, Japanese, and Chinese
style of play.
Since over the years, World Champions have come from different geographical locales
while using different grips and specializing in all forms of attack and defensehitting, looping,
blocking, chopping, lobbingwhat do the Ais recommend as being stylistically best for their
students? Lets follow them as they explain:
The European domination of the mid-1920s through the 1940s began to end with Japans
1952 introduction of new and strange sponge rackets that allowed them to institute a new loopattack style that for a time made them the chief world power. But if the Europeans thought they
could relive past glories with a defensive style that would allow thema la graceful choppers like
Leach and Bergmannto again revive their tradition of dominance, they were wrong. And were
then the more thwarted with the 1961 success of China and their close-to-the-table attack style.
Clearly, if Europe was to be a world-title contender, changes were needed. When the
European shakehand style changed from chopping to looping, it was one of the biggest
breakthroughs in the history of the game. Now when we say European style, we think of
Bengtsson, Jonyer, and Surbek. No more do we think of Leach or Bergmann, yet among many the
label European style remains, even though the style has changed dramatically. So whats in a name?
278

Today a misnomer appears when one speaks of an up-to-the-table penhold attack as

Chinese style. Chinese players, guided by World Champion penholders Xi Enting and Guo
Yuehua after theyd changed from hitting to looping, produced a veritable loop storm in China. So
now what was the Chinese style? Did it center, as before, on fast-attack speed or, more to the
present, on powerful spin?
Why did people want to have rigid hang-ups regarding the association of a style with their
play? Why didnt the loopy Europeans have penhold hitters? Because it wasnt their style? Why
didnt the Japanese, as penhold-oriented as they are, have close-up-to-the-table hitters? Because it
wasnt in their hallowed tradition, their style?
The Ais like it that, like China, the U.S. favors
different styles. [Consider Danny Seemillers unique
grip, and how, when others thought with that grip the
only defense he could muster was the block, he showed
how successfully he could incorporate chop into his
game. The Seemiller style had taken on a new
dimension.
The Ais favor this no tradition approach; they
want to choose the most advanced ideas to follow. So
theyre not going to teach their RTP students European
style or Chinese style, but things which are
universally accurate.
Carl Danner, picking up on the Ais article, has
something to say to players (TTT, Mar.-Apr., 1986, 22)
about Developing Your Own Style:
Do you envision ending rallies with a flat
Danny Seemiller
forehand smash? An overpowering loop? Or perhaps
you prefer to outlast your opponents by counter-driving or playing defense? Each of these ideas
(and many others) can serve as a basis for a style.
In consciously trying to perfect a style, start by thinking about your physical qualities. Do
you have quick hands? If so, that suggests playing close to the table. Are you fast on your feet?
Perhaps you can develop footwork to hit powerful forehands consistently, or play defense. Do you
have a runners endurance? Without it, look for quick ways to win points.
Temperament is next. Are you impatient to attack, even hitting in big shots at deuce, or do
you prefer setting-up point winners?
Finally, think about what special skills you have, about the two or three (no more) parts of
your game like maybe countering or blockingthat set you apart from others. These can form
the strengths of your style.
Now find a top player you can identify with and watch how he assembles the game you
would like to have.
Obviously, a close-to-the-table counter-driver puts his game together to form a style
different from a wide-ranging forehand attacker. Take their footwork, for example. The counterdriver will stand much more squarely to the table, and cover a significant part of it with his
backhand. His footwork training will emphasize quick side-to-side movements. The attackers
ready position will favor his forehand and his footwork will emphasize the much wider (often in and
out) movements needed to loop or smash balls.
279

Their serves will be different. The counter-driver will want topspin returns, and he may use
aggressive deep topspin serves to get them. The attacker is more concerned about preventing his
opponent from attacking; he wants returns positioned where he can loop or hit them. He may serve
mostly chop, carefully placed to come back within reach of his forehand.
The idea is: know your strengths and get the most out of them by developing
complementary new shots in the limited practice time available to you. With a well-chosen style,
your shots and skills can work together better.
Hoping to continue getting the most out of their games are those (now twelve) players
Diana and Lisa Gee, Dave Chun, Chi Ming Chui, Chi Ngo, Gene Lonnon, Chris Fulbright, Vicky
Wong, Jasmine Wang, Dhiren Narotam, Toni Gresham, and Li Aiwho have been training at the
Olympic Training Center as RTP student-players. Heres Bob Tretheway (TTT, May-June, 1986,
11) to give us a glimpse of what their Colorado Springs life is like:
On June 10, 1986 the first chapter in one of the USTTAs most innovative and successful
programs will come to an end. The project is officially known as the Resident Athlete Training
Program (RTP) and is the result of efforts undertaken by Bob Tretheway, USTTA National Program
Director. The RTP staff includes Henan and Liguo Ai as coaches and Larry Hodges as Camp
Manager with Tretheway as the Programs administrator.
While the lifestyle of the athletes is not that of the average teenager, the Program has been
structured to allow for as much individual freedom and personal development as possible. The
players attend school in the public school system, have access to the city via the City Transit Line
and bus passes provided by the USTTA, have some planned recreational activities, play in
tournaments, do their homework (most of the time), and train three to three and a half hours a day,
six days a week. Dorm life can be boring but you get used to it, comments Chris Fulbright, and
the training is greatprobably the best.
The athletes (except for Li Ai who lives with her
RTP-staff parents) are housed in a college dormitory-styled
building. Each floor has a TV lounge and there is a laundry
room on the first floor. A number of rooms are now being
remodeled and its hoped that table tennis players will be
first on the list for these this coming August. An aspect of
dorm life some of the players hadnt fully considered when
applying to participate in the Program is the independent
life-style and the need for self-sufficiency. In many
instances, theyve come to rely on each other for help. Its
kind of like a family here, says Gene Lonnon.
School? As a group theyre maintaining a B
average. Of course there are some individual problems but
Li Ai
these have been effectively handled in a cooperative way
with the schools. The group has had a built-in math tutor in the presence of Len Hauer for the first
few months, and now Larry Hodges. Several of the players are making the best grades theyve ever
made in math.
One stumbling block for players out of high school was the cost of college. Players living at the
OTC were considered to be out-state students and have had to pay tuition fees a little over three times
that of in-state students. This problem has been resolved. The Colorado State Legislature has passed a
bill allowing athletes in residence at the Training Center to be considered as in-state students.
280

Have any of the players improved their game?

Henan and Liguo Ai, the coaches, feel that all the
players have improved, although this is not always
reflected in the ratings. A couple of the players have
added ten or fewer points to their ratings while others
in the Program look like this: +55, +63, +78, +140,
+159, and +273. Gene Lonnon, who is one of the
players who hasnt added points to his rating, says,
Of course Im getting better. The reason my rating
hasnt gone up is because Ive had to change some
major parts of my game. But probably the most
important thing thats happened to me here is that Im
learning how to learn.
Will the RTP happen next year? Its
continuance has been assured through a grant from the
Gene Lonnon
U.S. Olympic Foundation. Last December Bob
Photo by Mal Anderson
Tretheway submitted a proposal for funding the
Program and it was approved to the tune of $49,960. Out of 155 requests to the Foundation for
money only 96 were approved and the average was for only $41,000. This means that the RTP is
not now a part of the USTTA budget. No USTTA dollars are being spent on the Program other
than a percentage of Tretheways salary for administration.
In addition to school, training, and recreation, the athletes have been involved in a number of
other special activities that have helped to strengthen relations with the U.S. Olympic Committee
and produce some regional and national publicity for the sport. Diana and Lisa Gee were the only
two athletes to show up for a special USOC program for a group of Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Insurance Company vice-presidents and were the stars of the evening. They were also featured in a
story for the Olympian Magazine. Dave Chun and Toni Gresham were asked by the USOC to be
athlete representatives in the campaign for the in-state tuition bill. In fact, Toni gave a talk at the state
legislature in Denver. Larry Hodges and Chi Ngo gave an exhibition and ran a tournament for a
group of Cub Scout Packs. The entire group were umpires at the National Collegiate
Championships, except Dave Chun who played. Several different players gave exhibitions, and the
entire group has entertained dignitaries from Soma, Japan, Korea, Russia, the Air Force Academy,
and the U.S. Olympic Committee, including Secretary General George Miller.
Commitment and involvement have been the passwords for getting in and staying in the RTP.
The athletes and their families have worked hard at making the Program a success. Many feel the
entire sport has benefited from their efforts.

281

Chapter Nineteen
1985: Duneland and other Nov./Dec. Tournaments (Including the NYC Big Apple
Sports Festival).1985: U.S. Players Fail to Win Titles at the USOTCs.

Tom Wintrich (SPIN, Dec., 1985, cover+) reports on the Nov. 2-3 Annual Duneland AllAmerican tournament. Its called All-American because foreigners, and that includes Canadians,
cant win any of the $9,225 prize money in the 22 events in which its offered. This years
tournament, Tom says, drew 270 entrants, including 12 of the top 13 men in the U.S., and about
every Midwest junior there is. Matches ran behind as usual, but it couldnt have been otherwise
given the size of the entry and 44 events. Nevertheless, the players return in droves each year, and
for good reason. Duneland offers abundant play for everyone, considerable prize money, and the
biggest trophies on the circuit.
Then, too, its a congenial competition, thanks to the friendliness of
the directors, Bill and Liz Hornyak. The Hornyaks have worked
diligently the past eight years and are to be commended for their
continued dedication in producing this major tournament on the
players behalf. Thanks are also due Dell and Connie Sweeris for their
invaluable assistance at the control desk. Duneland and Halloween
didnt coincide this year; nevertheless all the saints of table tennis had
their day.
Since in this article Tom concerns himself only with the Final
Four round robin in Open Singles, before I let him get to those
matches, Ill show you the various event winners, not all of whom Ill
wager are saintly.
Results: Open Singles:
RR. 1. Chartchai
Teekaveerakit, 2-1/7-3 (d.
Olson, 18, 18, 19; d. ONeill,
Bill Hornyak
15, 16, 16). 2. Sean ONeill,
2-1/6-4 (d. Olson, -23, 19, 13, 16; d. D. Seemiller, 16,
Insook
19, 17). 3. Dan Seemiller, 2-1/6-4 (d. Olson, 14, -17, 18,
Bhushan
17; d. Teekaveerakit, 14, -17, 18, 17). 4. Brandon Olson,
0-3. Quarters: Olson d. Perry Schwartzberg, 12, 13, 19, 19; Teekaveerakit d. Khoa Nguyen, n.s.; ONeill d.
Ricky Seemiller, 18, 20, -17, 15; D. Seemiller d. Rey
Domingo, 19, -12, 16, 12. Eighths: Olson d. Eric Boggan,
19, 16, -12, -10, 19. Womens Singles: RR: 1. Insook
Bhushan [$300], 3-0 (d. ODougherty, 16, 11, 9; d.
282

Sweeris, 8, 6, 3; d. Patel, 15, 15, 9). 2. Sheila ODougherty, 2-1 (d. Sweeris, 17, 13, 16; d. Patel,
21, 15, 17). 3. Connie Sweeris, 2-1 (d. Patel, -19, 17, -17, 14, 22). 4. Neena Patel, 0-3. Open
Doubles: Final: D/R Seemiller d. Boggan/Domingo, def. Semis: Seemillers d. ONeill/
Teekaveerakit, 20, 10; Boggan/Domingo d. Scott/Jim Butler, 10, 18. Mixed Doubles: Final: D.
Seemiller/ODougherty d. ONeill/Bhushan, 10, -13, 16. Semis: D. Seemiller/ODougherty d. R.
Seemiller/Chery Dadian, n.s.; ONeill/Bhushan d. S. Butler/Ardith Lonnon, 18, 10.
Brandon Olson
Photo by
Steve Peterka

U-2400: Final: Brandon Olson d. S. Butler, 15,

20. Semis: Olson d. Perry Schwartzberg, 18, 18; Butler d.
Randy Seemiller, 15, 16. U-2300: Final: Ed Ozuem d. Bob
Scott Butler
Photo by Robert Compton
Cordell, 8, 7. Semis: Ozeum d. Eyal Adini, -21, 17, 19;
Cordell d. Christian Lillieroos, -22, 19, 19. U-2200: Final:
Ozeum d. Lillieroos, -19, 16, 17. Semis: Ozeum d. Dan Wiig, -21,
12, 16; Lillieroos d. Cordell, 21, 5. U-2100: Final: Tim Boggan d.
Wayne Wasielewski, 15, 16. Semis: Boggan d. Khoi Nguyen, 13,
15; Wasielewski d. Wiig, -20, 6, 13. U-2000: Final: Fox d. Chris
Fullbright, 15, 19. Semis: Fox d. Charlie Buckley, 19, -17, 9;
Fullbright d. Chi-Sun Chui, -18, 13, 13. U-4000 Doubles: Final: Bob
Fox/Wiig d. Gary Elwell/Mitch Seidenfeld, 19, 12. U-1900: Final:
Buckley d. Mike Menzer, 17, 17. Semis: Buckley d. Tony Gutierrez,
14, 10; Menzer d. Thor Truelson, 19, 19. U-1800: Final: Clark Yeh
d. Mark Merritt, 22, 15; Gutierrez d. Patel, 22, 17. U-1700: Final:
Dennis Hwang d. Bob Clay, 12, 14. Semis: Hwang d. Tryg Truelson,
-18, 12, 11; Clay d. W.K. Yeh, 17, 14. U-3400 Doubles: Tryg
Truelson/Scott Bakke d. Guenther Schroeder/Thor Truelson, 15, 18.
Bob Fox
Photo by Mal Anderson
U-1600: Final: Ken Heinritz d. Phil Preston, 17, -18, 21.
Semis: Heinritz d. Haroki Holzer, 17, -18, 21; Preston d. Joe Mayer,
16, 10. U-1500: Final: Jim Nauert d. Karl Schulz, 18, -19, 18. Semis: Nauert d. Bill Burch, def.;
Schulz d. Jim Webb, 17, -16, 18. U-1400: Paul Lewis d. Mike Christy, 16, 13. Semis: Lewis d.
Arlan Lewis, -24, 19, 18; Christy d. Boluwaji Alajo, -15, 23, 18. U-1300: Final: Dave Bose d.
James Sydnor, -16, 18, 24. Semis: Bose d. Schulz, 18, 13; Sydnor d. A. Lewis, 17. -17, 17. U1200: Final: Nels Truelson d. Paul Pell, 18, -17, 12. Semis: Truelson d. Nilesh Narotam, -19, 18,
19; Pell d. Ed Foster, -18, 18, 14. U-1100: Final: Robin Eads d. Carl Fisher, 17, -19, 18. Semis:
283

Eads d. Dewey Helmick, 16, 10; Fisher d. Lawrence E. Su, 15, 19. Mens U-1000: Final: Helmick
d. Dean Williams, -16, 11, 17. Semis: Helmick d. Mike Macaluso, 16, -17, 12; Williams d. Fisher,
15, -12, 17. Womens U-1000: Final: Claire Lan d. Hsu-Yi Lee, 15, 20. Semis: Lan d. Jia-Yi Lee,
-17, 17, 19; H-Y Lee d. Julie Ripley, 5, 11. Womens U-900: Final: Cindy Hall d. Jeanne Quam,
13, 14. Semis: Hall d. Andrea Butler, 12, 17; Quam d. Dawn Gates, 9, 16. Handicap Singles:
Final: J-Y Lee d. Randy Seemiller, 40. Hard Rubber Singles: Lim-Ming Chui d. Schwartzberg, 12, 18, 15. Mini Stiga Table Singles: Final: C-S Chui d. L-M Chui, 19, -19, 19.
Before I continue on with the Duneland results, I want to acknowledge (TTT, May-June,
1986, 20) the death of Earl Coulson, a table tennis contemporary of those older players in their 60s
and 70s Im about to mention:
Coulson, one of the best defensive stylists in the U.S. during the 1930s, died on Tuesday,
Apr.22, at age 68. He played table tennis for six years on the Indiana team that competed in the
annual U.S. National Team Championships (NTCs). His best ranking was U.S. #6 in 1939.
For several years he provided current USTTA Vice-President and former three-time World
Doubles Champion Jimmy McClure with excellent practice and top-flight competition.
After World War II he stopped playing competitively. In recent years, although he was not
in good health, he attended all the tournaments in Indiana, and even volunteered to help in the 1987
Pan Am Games that will be played in Indianapolis. He was recently elected a charter member of the
Indiana Table Tennis Hall of Fame.
Over 70: RR. 1. Gene Bricker. 2. Henry Levin. 3. Coach Schleff. Over 60: Final: Harry
Deschamps d. Joe Baltrus, 15, 12. Semis: Deschamps d. Max Salisbury, 16, 12; Baltrus d. Bruce
Ackerman, -17, 24, 21.Over 50: T. Boggan d. Deschamps, 16, 16. Semis: Boggan d. Norm
Schless, 16, 21; Deschamps d. Salisbury, 18, 11. Over 40: Dell Sweeris over T. Boggan, -19, 11,
16. Semis: Sweeris d. Hugh Shorey, 14, 17; Boggan d. Houshang Bozorgzadeh, 16, 19. Over 40A: Bob Brickell d. Gus Kennedy, 16, 10. Semis: Brickell d. Lawrence Su, 19, 15; Kennedy d.
Schroeder, 18, -17, 19. Over 30: Domingo d. D. Seemiller, def. Semis: Domingo d. L-M Chui, 12,
14; Seemiller d. D. Sweeris, n.s.
Youth (U-21): Final: Teekaveerakit d. ONeill, 15, 16. Semis:
Teekaveerakit d. Brian Masters, 18, 19; ONeill d. Khoa Nguyen, 15,
18. Boys U-17: Final: Gene Lonnon d. D. Narotam, 12, 19. Semis:
Lonnon d. C-S Chui, 14, 17; Narotam d. John Elwood, 11, 21. Boys
U-15: Final: D. Narotam d. C-S Chui, 15, 16. Semis: Narotam d. ChiMing Chui, 15, 18; C-S Chui d. Duy Vo, 10,
12. Boys U-13: Final: D. Narotam d. C. Yeh,
15, 17. Semis: Narotam d. Reggie Madrigal, 9,
10 [Reggies dad Primo said that at this
Duneland tournament a fourth of the entry, 75
players, participated from just a single state,
Illinois]; Yeh d. Todd Sweeris, 22, 18. Boys U11: Final: N. Narotam d. L. E. Su, -15, 16, 16.
Semis: Narotam d. Norman Yeh, 13, 3; Su d.
Aaron George, 14, 11. Boys U-9: Final: N. Yeh
Dhiren Narotam
d. Robert Su, 20, 6. Semis: Yeh d. Aaron
Brown, def.; Su d. Ernest Lee, 9, 11. Girls U-17: RR. 1. Janine Schroeder.
Janine Schroeder
284

2. Linda Gates. 3. Hsu-Yi Lee. Girls U-15: RR. 1. L. Gates. 2. Martha Gates. 3. Schroeder. 4. J-Y
Lee. 5. H-Y Li. Girls U-13: RR. 1. M. Gates. 2. J-Y Lee. 3. D. Gates. 4. Gina Zamboni. Girls U11: Final: A. Butler d. Lisa Zamboni, 17, 19. Semis: Butler d. G. Zamboni, 16, 9; L. Zamboni d. D.
Gates, 15, 13. Girls U-9: Final: Butler d. D. Gates, 11, 9. Semis: Butler d. Shannon Hopper, 12,
10; D. Gates d. L. Zamboni, 17, 7.
I return now to Tom Wintrichs write-up of the climactic Mens matches:
Chartchai Teekaveerakit [his friends call him Hank] and Sean ONeill finished first and
second in the Duneland All-American over their peers-in-residence at the Lake Placid Olympic
Training Center. The odds of them doing that didnt seem fair, two vs. eight, and private resources
against 12,000 USTTA dollars. Training-wise, the disparity was greater: two players with limited
practice time challenging eight with daily workouts.
Ironically, one
of those USTTA
resident athletes,
Brandon Olson,
greatly aided the
Virginia duos onetwo finish. Brandon,
dubbed the Road
Warrior by his Lake
Placid buddies,
eliminated #1 seed
Eric Boggan, 19, 16,
-12, -10, 19 in the
eighths. [I knew it
wasnt over after Id
won those first two
games, Brandon later
Eric Boggan
Brandon Olson
told reporter Red
Photo by Steve Peterka
Griggs of the Michigan City, IN News-Dispatch, the
tournaments primary sponsor. I had him a couple of match points before and hed come back
to beat me. How different this time for Brandon, for hed been down 18-14 in the fifth before
winning 7 of the last 8 points to end the match.] Naturally, Chartchai and Sean werent the only
players pleased with that outcome.
Ironic, too, that Brandon has yet to win a major tournament against his own caliber of play,
despite his proven ability to beat the best of the field. But directors of the major tournaments in the
U.S. seem obsessed with semifinal round robin play instead of the more logical and more dramatic
single elimination format. Consider this: Brandon knocks out U.S. Champion Boggan in the eighths,
takes Perry Schwartzberg out in the quarters, and, instead of playing one semifinal match, has to
play three semifinal /final ones. That doesnt seem fair either, but at least everyone has to face the
same dilemma.
Playing the semifinal field, especially without Eric present, has long been considered Danny
Seemillers advantage, since winning two of the three matches is often enough for the tournament
title and Dannys past record includes a large percentage of semifinal wins, let alone his abundant
straight match wins.
But the times, they are a changing.
285

No one at Duneland won more than two matches in semifinal action, so the end result came
down to who you beat in how many games, or, perhaps more accurately stated, who you lost to in
how many gamesmeaning specific game wins could be more important than a match win. When
ONeill beat Olson in their last match, it turned out that Chartchai, in taking a single game off
Seemiller in their last match (he lost in four), was guaranteed first place. And ONeill, after losing
that first game 25-23 to Olson, had to win the next three to finish second. Of course it all could have
ended differently; there are so many what if scenarios possible with this round robin nonsense that
its belittling to the players themselves. [Also, USTTA Public Relations Director Jay Harris
complained that the round robin nature of the final here made it difficult for him to give USA Today
the understandable results it wanted.]
Actually, despite their one-two finish, both Chartchai and Sean had been a bit apprehensive
that they werent tournament ready, for they hadnt practiced the three weeks previously. [Why
not?] Thats not necessarily significant except that each felt they might not be sharp during critical
times in crucial matches. However, during the round robin finals they came through when they had
to. As Sean said, That made the difference.
The real
difference
from a
spectators
viewpoint,
though, was
this twosomes
intensity of
play, which
was evident
from the first
semifinal
match when
the two met
each other.
Since theyre
housemates
and practice
Sean ONeill
Chartchai Hank Teekaveerakit
Photo by Robert Compton
partners [at
the ONeill home in Virginia] there are no competitive
secrets between the two and the odds were even as to who would be victorious. Chartchai
came out on top in straight games, primarily because he was able to play his style, which is
based on serve-and-follow and close-to-the-table fast attack. Chartchai prefers short rallies
and he continually drove Sean away from the table to maintain control of the points.
Meanwhile, Danny beat Brandon in four, successfully stopping Brandons power game with
some exceptional blocking. During one point of their match, Brandon executed a bullet loop with his
forehand off a topspin ball from mid-court. Danny blocked it back with his anti and stopped
Brandon dead in his tracksstopped him dead because, unbelievable as it sounds, Dannys return
bounced twice on the table!
The next round pitted winner Chartchai against loser Brandon and winner Danny against
loser Sean.
286

As hed done against Sean, Chartchai used aggressive footwork in taking Brandon down in
straight games. Chartchais a penhold looper and is forced to move quickly to initiate his forehand
loop. Move all the more so, in fact, because his opponents continually press his backhand, looking
to block his loop wide to the forehand. Hes not yet equal in quickness to someone like Wen-Chia
Wu of Taiwan, who beat World Champion Jiang Jialiang at the last U.S. Open, but often enough he
mimics Wus rapid play. Brandon did score frequently by blocking, counter-spinning, and doing
what he does bestblasting balls by his opponentbut Chartchais physical exertion and fast loops
gave him the edge for the 18, 18, 19 win.
Concurrently, Sean was pounding Danny with his own brand of aggressive play. Noticeably
up for this one and aware that a straight-game win would even their round robin records to 1-1/3-3,
Sean played true to his most improved top-player status. He was relentless in attacking, even when
some of his go-for-broke shots cost him points; but overall he was more consistent in opening and
following than Dan. So 16, 19, 17 for Sean.
In the final round, Brandon took game one off Sean and so did Dan against Chartchai,
opening the door for Seemiller to win the tournament. However, Sean and Chartchai each won their
second game, and when Sean won the third against Brandon and had a commanding lead in the
fourth, Seemillers hopes were vanishing quickly (even though against Chartchai, Dan too had won
the third and was leading in the fourth). The Sean/Brandon match finished first, in favor of Sean,
which immediately put Seemiller in third place.
Heres why: Brandons record was 0-3, so he was out of it. A three-way 1-1 tie among the
others had to be resolved by games won and lost. Chartchai was 3-0 vs. Sean and 1-3 against
Danny, so he had a 4-3 total. Sean was 3-0 vs. Seemiller and 0-3 against Chartchai, so a 3-3 total.
And Dan was 3-1 vs. Chartchai and 0-3 against Sean, so a 3-4 total. Hence the final results:
Chartchai ($1000), Sean ($600), Danny ($400), Brandon ($300).
Calculating this close finish does not detract from Chartchai and Seans performance,
particularly Chartchais. More than ever before, Chartchai, former two-time Thai National
Champion, served notice that he is here to stay, literally and figuratively. Chartchai is the proud
owner of a Green Card now and he will be eligible for the 1986 Nationals, which will make him
eligible to qualify for the U.S. World Team to India in 87. He has recorded wins against every top
U.S.player except Eric Boggan, but the two have yet to meet in a tournament.
Chartchai will be at the U.S. Nationals this year as a frustrated observer, patiently biding his
time until its his time all the time in the USA. Chartchai, an exemplary athlete and sportsman, will be
welcome as a permanent addition to American table tennis.
Results of the Tri-City Open, played Dec. 7-8 in Seattle, WA: Open Singles: Final: Quang
Bui d. Jay Crystal, 12, 10, 18. Semis: Bui d. Dave Talcott, 8, 5, 7; Crystal d. Bob Mandel, 12, 15,
-19, 19. U-2000s: Mandel d. Talcott, 16, 10. Semis: Mandel d. John Trevthan, 12, 12; Talcott d.
Kerry Vandaveer, 12, -18, 15. U-1800s: Bob Ho d. John Fredrickson, 20, 12. Semis: Ho d.
Harold Fredrickson, -13, 15, 17; J. Fredrickson d. Robert Melton, 9, 14. U-1400s: Steve
Goodwin d. Michael Earhart, 17, 17. Semis: Goodwin d. Phat-Tan Du; Earhart d. Glenn Johnson,
19, 17. U-1200s: RR. 1. Alan Hsieh, 4-1. 2. Cliff Looyenga, 4-1. 3. Joe Paneska, 3-2. 4. Kirby
Parker, 2-3. 5. Steve Wong, 2-3. 6. Robert Morrow, 0-5.
Bill Hodge reports [Wiggys, Nov. 27, 1985] on the $3,300 Stiga Open, held in San Diego Nov. 8-10:
With its $3,300 in prize money, 15 new Stiga tables, and perfect playing conditions,
including hard-wood floors, it was the most successful tournament in Southern California in years.
287

There
were 167
Carlo
entries, with
Brignardello
54 from San
Diego, and
the rest
coming from
as far away as
Pittsburgh,
PA. Thats
right, Mr.
Seemiller was
here. No, not
Danny or Randythey were back in the New York
Ricky Seemiller
mountains at the Lake Placid Training Center. Ricky
Seemiller, whos #5 in the U.S. and #88 on the ITTF Classification list, came to the worlds finest
city, San Diego, and left with $520 in prize money after defeating Carlo Brignardello in the Open
finals. Carlo was Peruvian National Champion at 15 and a Peruvian World Team member.
Carlo, now 22, is currently ranked #2 in Peru and #5 in South America. The final was an
exciting four-game match, with world-class exchanges on almost every point. After Carlo won the
second to split games, old pro Ricky came back strong and had an easy 21-7 fourth-game finish.
There were 24 entries over 2000players traveled from Arizona, Nevada, Colorado,
Texasand Sweden. Yes, Christian Lillieroos was here. With his 2190- rating, his powerful
penhold smashes, and his crowd-pleasing behind-the-back and under-the-leg serves, Christian was
a force to behold. He has done a lot in his short time in this country, and we hope all his efforts will
not come to an end because of the USTTAs money difficulties.
Speaking of traveling, we had four current athletes attend from the U.S. Olympic Training
Center in Colorado Springs: Gene Lonnon, David Chun, Dhiren Narotam, and Chris Fullbright. Ron
Shirley was also present on behalf of Stiga.
Also of note: we had a nice 28-page Program that (in contrast to a much discussed
expensive one elsewhere) made money.
There were 29 events and everything came off almost on schedule. Players got a freeT-shirt
if they entered on time and most everyone did.
Plus, coupon specials for Sea World and the
San Diego Zoo were given away. There were
120 awards and trophies galoreeven to 3rd
and 4th-Place finishers.
Selected Results: Mens Doubles: Ricky
Semiller/Brignardello d. Ray Guillen/Avishy
Schmidt. Mixed Doubles: Chin-Yur King/Saubana
Adio d. Hanna Butler/Schmidt. U-2200: Schmidt
d. Tunde Jacobs. U-2100: Jacobs d. David Chun.
U-2000: Ron Von Schimmelman d. Mike Perez.
U-1900: Hilton Simanowitz d. Randall Mullins. URon Von Schimmelman,
1800: Lyn Smith d. Ragnar Fahlstrom. U-1700:
then and now
Jim McKinstry d. D. Nam.
288

Winners at the Nov. 11th Disneys Fall Classic in Minneapolis: Open Singles: RR. 1. Gary
Kerkow, 2-0 (d. ODougherty, 17, -16, 18; d. Steblay, 16, -13, 18). 2. Sheila ODougherty, 1-1
(d. Steblay, 14, -18, 8). 3. Steve Steblay, 0-2. As: RR. 1. Steblay, 2-0 (d. Lonnin, 15, -17, 21; d.
Kerkow, 20, -17, 21). 2. Gary Kerkow, 1-1 (d. Lonnon, 14, 11). 3. Ardith Lonnon, 0-2. Bs:
Final: Tryg Truelson d. Gus Kennedy, 17, 17. Semis: Truelson d. Scott Bakke, 19, -15, 21;
Kennedy d. Dennis Schimmel, -14, 20, 18. 17 & Under: RR. 1. Thor Truelson, 2-0 (d. Tryg
Truelson, 14, -18, 13; d. Kerkow, -18, 9, 14). 2. Tryg Truelson, 1-1 (d. Kerkow, 13, 8). 3. Gary
Kerkow, 0-2.
Charlie Disney reports that a longtime player
and friend at his Club, Ed Ells, recently passed away.
See Charlies adjacent In Memoriam remembrance.
Lansing, MI Community College Results (no
date): Open Singles. Final: Bob Cordell d. Mike
Veillette. Semifinalists: Mike Joelson; Frank Sexton. U2100s: Veillette d. Joelson. U-2000s: Dave Cafone d.
Kurt Lloyd. U-1950s: Lloyd d. Mark Nordby. U1900s: Chuck Burns d. Ross Sanders. U-1800s:
Guenther Schroeder d. Dave Fortney. U-1200s: Zuqi
Zie d. Dale Ward.
Rick Hardy (Table Tennis Topics, Jan., 1985,
32) covers the 2nd Yasaka North Coast Classic, played
Nov. 23-24 at Cleveland, Ohio:
Former Nigerian team member Edward
Ogini Ozuem, now a Cleveland resident, defeated
U.S. team member Ricky Seemiller in an exciting fourgame final to win the Open Singles. The win over
Seemiller, easily Ozuems finest since he resumed play
in the U.S. last winter, came in a classic offense-defense
struggle.
Ozuem won a well-played first game at 18, then
was nearly helpless in the second as Ricky blasted
through him at 11. But Ogini reversed that score in the
third game and surged to a 14-9 lead in the fourth.
Ricky, ever the fighter, hung in there from down 20-18
to deuce it. At 20-all, Ozuem picked a backhand for a
winner. Up 21-20, Ozuem got a semi-edge, but Ricky
looped it anyway then ripped the return for a winner.
Deuce again. Seemiller then got the adbut couldnt win another point. Ozuem closed out the
match 24-22 to win the $100 first prize.
Results: Open Singles: R.R. 1. Ed Ozuem, 3-0 (d. Seemiller, 18, -11, 11, 22; d. Powell, 14,
19, 12, -13, 7, d. Martin, 12, 13, 17). 2. Ricky Seemiller, 2-1 (d. Powell, 16, 9, 14; d. Martin, 11,
14, 16). 3. Bob Powell, 1-2 (d. Martin, 9, 9, 14). 4. Gary Martin, 0-3. Open Doubles: Seemiller/
Chip Coulter d. Pat Hernan/Dave Strang, 20, 15. As: Mike Joelson d. Martin, -11, -20, 20, 21,
18. Bs: Coulter d. ? -17, -14, 17, 15, 16. U-3800 Doubles: Martin/Hernan d. Prouty/Miller, -20,
289

16, 16, -16, 11. Cs: Hernan d. Neil Myers, 15, -22, -17, 10, 15. U-3400 Doubles: Ozuem/
Berenson d. Hardy/Panik, -17, 17, 18. Ds: RR. 1. Scott Snelling. 2. Ian Chen. U-2800 Doubles:
Snelling/Berenson d. Turner/Krumins, 18, 16, 12. Es: Al Risaliti d. Jeff Jackson12, 19. Fs: Ken
Marsik d. Shannon Price, 17, 18, 16. U-2400 Doubles: Marsik/Wein d. Towns/Berenson. 21&
Under: Snelling d. Ben Culler, 18, 10. 15& Under: Snelling d. Culler, 8, 17.
Howard County Circuit Standings (as of November): 1. T. Steen (42). 2. P. Basu (40). 3. B.
Douglas (37). 4. My Dung Nguyen (36). 5. S. Chakraborty (33). 6. P. Lui (31). 7. Y. Kronlage (29). 8.
S. Emmons (27). 9. B. Dattel (27). 10. C. Kronlage (24). 11. R. Peffer (24). 12. E. Haring (23).
Winners at the Canadian Top 12 A tournament Dec. 14-15 in Montreal: Men: 1. Alain
Bourbonnais. 2. Horatio Pintea. 3. Eddie Lo. 4. Lam Tan. 5. Danny Poh. Women: 1. Mariann
Domonkos. 2. Becky McKnight. 3. Gloria Hsu. 4. Julie Barton. 5. Helen Simerl (17 years earlier, in
1968, Helen, nee Sabaliauskas, won the Canadian Closed, interrupting Violetta Nesukaitiss 10year reign (1965-75).
Results of the John Kauderer Open, played Nov. 16-17 at Westfield, NJ: Open Singles:
Scott Boggan d.
Brian Masters, Scott
14, 17, -18, 21,
Boggan
13. Semis:
Boggan d.
George
Brathwauite, 17,
11, 13; Masters
d. Steven Mok,
19, 14, 18.
Womens: R.R.
Brian Masters
1. Joan Fu. 2. Luz Brissett. 3. Margaret Hzeih. 4.
Jennifer-Brown Johnson. Open Doubles: Dave Sakai/Boggan split with Mok/Fulap Lee. Esquires: Bob
Barns d. Eric Rothfleisch, 17, 12. Semis: Barns d. Dan Dickel, -18, 19, 19; Rothfleisch d. A. Skangalis,
13, -17, 7. Seniors: Brathwaite d. Bill Sharpe, 13, 17. Senior As: Stuart Sinder d. Dennis Spellman, 18,
20. Jr. 17s: Andre Liu d. Benjamin Yeh, 3, 9. Jr. 13s: Truong d. Mike Galbraith, 10, 8.
U-2300s: Randy Seemiller d. Brian Eisner, 13, -12, 12, -12, 18, after Brian had stopped
Dave Sakai, 19, 20. U-2075s: Maximo Vasquez d. Dave Lewllyn, -9, 17, 19. U-1975s:
Monasterial d. Marta Zurowski, 14, 14. U-1875s: Mike Murphy d. Bob Saperstein, 11, -19, 14,
then Debashi Kushary, -12, 16, 17. U-1775s: Kushary d. Murphy, -12, 18, 22, then Sinder, 26,
10. U-1775 Doubles: Murphy/Dendrinos d. Fu/Kushary, 16, 10. U-1625s: Tibor Kiskolczi d.
Michael Coke, 18, 19. U-1625 Doubles: Miskolczi/Nagy d. Rabinovich/Dickel, 15, 17. U-1475s:
Miskolczi d. Parham Ghandi, 18, 7. U-1325s: Frank Lebron d. R. Weber, 15, 16. U-1175s: Ma
d. K. Newman, 19, 14. Semis: Ma d. Art Dickinson, 19, 17; Newman d. Roy Greenberg, -7, 17,
18. U-1025s: Ma d. Steve Fink, 22, 16. Unrated: Robert Spitzer d. D. Foster, 17, 17.
On Dec. 14-15 a $1,500 Stiga Grand Prix tournament was held at Westfield. As usual, Eric
Boggan played in this warm-up for the U.S. Closed and won itthough unusually over Chartchai
Teekaveerakit, for it was the first time theyd met.
290

Chartchai Teekaveerakit
Photo Steve Peterka

Results: Open
Eric Boggan
Singles: Eric Boggan d.
Photo by Robert Compton
Chartchai
Teekaveerakit, 9, 13, 5.
Semis: Boggan d. Steven Mok, 15, 7, 8; Teekaveerakit d. Scott Boggan,
19, 18, -18, -16, 13. Quarters: E. Boggan d. Lim-Ming Chui, 8, 3, 11; Mok
d. George Brathwaite, 20, -20, 12, 23; S. Boggan d. Barry Dattel, 11, 14, 17;
Teekaveerakit d. Bill Sharpe, 14, 14, 14. U-2200s: Jian Liu d. Stephen Yeh,
17, 17, 10. Semis: Liu d. Simon Shtofmahker, -18, 13, 14; Yeh d. John
Andrade, 17, 19. U-2100s: Liu d. Yeh, 11, 14. U-1950s: Don Peters d.
Richard Awuah, 13, 16. Semis: Peters d. Hong Tsang, 8, -18, 18; Awuah d.
Stu Kroll, 11, -10, 19.
U-21s: Basil Boyce, Jr. d. Graham Head, 15, 19. U-17s: Liu d.
Inga Forstner, 8, 15. U-15s: Don Ma d. Mike Galbraith, 7, 12. U-13s:
Truong d. Ong, 18, -20, 15. U-11s: A. Ma d. Barney Reed, 7, 9 (first
Barney J. Reed
appearance of future U.S. World Team member and National Doubles
Champion Barney Reed). Semis: Ma d. Saku Hyttinen, 4, 3; Reed d. Derek Ma, 12, 12. U-9s:
Reed d. his sister Kristy Reed, 16, 12.
Mel Eisner reports
(TTT, Jan.-Feb., 1986,
29) on The Big Apple
Sports Festival, held Nov.
28-29 at Madison Square
Garden. Sol Schiff heard
about this Festival from his
dentist, called me, and I
turned over our USTTA
participation in this project
to an enthusiastic Mel
Mel Eisner
Eisner. The cost of our involvement, according to Mel, was roughly
$1,200. To judge whether the results worth the money, read Mels account that follows:

291

The Big Apple Sports Festival was produced in the Madison Square Garden rotunda by
National Media Group, Inc., also known as High Bar Productions, in conjunction with radio station
WNBC in New York, and the New York Post newspaper. Major sponsors included Energizer
batteries, which brought in gold-medalist gymnast Mary Lou Retton to special performances in the
main arena, plus Schick, Inc. A variety of famous personalities were there, including Cory Everson,
Miss Olympia 1984, George Foster and Ron Darling of the New York Mets, Rory Sparrow and
Ernie Grunfield of the N.Y. Knicks, Ron Greschner and Ron Scott of the N.Y. Rangers, plus
sportswriters from the New York Post.
Just about every indoor and outdoor sport was represented as well as many well-known
fitness centers and sporting goods sellers. Even the Heisman Cup organization was at a booth. As a
coup-de-grace publicity effort, a 20-page pull-out was part of the Monday, Nov. 25th issue of the
New York Post (reaching 2.2 million readers each day). There were also at least two large ads in
the Post every day for two weeks prior to the Festival.
And there we werepart of everything. We put on continuous three-day exhibitions to
show paying sports fans what table tennis is all about. In a way, it was equivalent to a mall
exhibition, except that it went on for a total of 22 hours over three days, put on without a stop. Each
day we staged six separate exhibitions, held six novice-level tournaments, conducted coaching
clinics, and had Beat the Expert sessions. We used our own PA system to broadcast the
exhibitions, and to play music during the quieter times.
Who did it? Well, we had a superb crew. Scott Boggan, Christian Lillieroos, Brian Eisner,
Alan Fendrick, Mark and Matt Kane, and Judith Ackerman took part in just about everything,
including time to meet the public and distribute the variety of pamphlets and brochures we had.
A special kudo goes to Christian, Mark, and Matt for getting the tables and barriers to that
most difficult Madison Square Garden location. Plus, we had the best announcer in table tennis in
Alan Fendrickyou have to hear him to realize how good he is in attracting people to watch those
great matches between Brian and Scott. More thanks go to Ray Wu for his video of the event, to
Paul Lee who arranged for a lot of free trophies and T-shirts from Tsingtao Beer (which we used for
prizes), to Michael Ackerman who was our photographer for the event, and to the national office
(Bob Tretheway, Emily Cale, Tom Wintrich, and Ann Orthwein) for arranging the delivery of
brochures, banners, and a publicity photo.
The result: A lot more friends for table tennis, the opportunity for future participation (which
may be very significant), the good possibility of getting a club started in Brooklyn, and, most
important of all, the personal contact with George Foster. [An account that appeared elsewhere said
that a match between Foster and former U.S. Champion Scott Boggan (won in deuce by Foster)
was a great crowd pleaser, and that a follow-up of celebrity Fosters table tennis interest and
endorsement was enthusiastically being pursued by Mel.]
This was truly a major-league event involving top stars in many sports. If we continue our
efforts wisely here, I believe we can reach significantly large numbers of people, get more local table
tennis involvement, and sharply improve our public imageall at a relatively low cost, and, with
sponsorship, at perhaps no cost at all.
Results of the Tennis 128 Autumn Open, held Nov. 9-10 at Burlington, Ma: Open Singles:
Kurt Douty d. Lim-Ming Chui, 17, 12. Semis: Douty d. Jiri Hlava, 15, 15; Chui d. Chi-Sun Chui,
15, 15. U-2200s: Douty d. C-S Chui, 17, 18. Semis: Douty d. Charles Hung, 19, 15; Chui d.
Ralph Bockoven, 16, 19. U-2100s: Hlava d. C-S Chui, 10, 9. Semis: Hlava d. Kok-Liang Liung,
14, 14; Chui d. Hung, 12, 12. U-2000s: Tak Wong d. Bob Zarren, 13, 14. Semis: Wong d. Jim
292

Warren, 15, -18, 16;

Zarren d. William
Maisonet, 18, 19. U1900s: Warren d.
Marta Zurowski, 13, 14, 20. Semis: Warren
d. Humberto Gil, 12,
21; Zurowski d. Don
Najarian, 15, 11. U1800s: Terry Mahoney
d. Gil, 15, 13. Semis:
Jiri Hlava
Kurt Douty
Mahoney d. Kim
Photo by Mal Anderson
Photo
by Mal Anderson
Brastow, 19, 19; Gil d.
Michael Reterski, 18, 13. U-1700s: Reterski d. Brastow,
16, -15, 15. Semis: Reterski d. Gil, 20, 18; Brastow d. Dick Batten, 10, 10, 15.
U-1600s: Odo Wang d. Ralph Osborne, 11, 16, 13. Semis: Wang d. Doug Smith, 20, 12;
Osborne d. Barry Scott, 19, 18. U-1500s: Everett Britto d. Smith, 15, 15, 17. Semis: Britto d.
Chih-Yen Zhao; Smith d. David Yee, -15, 15, 13. U-1400s: Masaru Horiuchi d. Yee, 14, 18.
Semis: Horiuchi d. Gen Shee, -5, 18, 14; Yee d. Phong Huynh, 13, 13. U-1300s: Horiuchi d.
Oscar Arroyo, 9, 16, 15. Semis: Horiuchi d. Kazimier Zurowski, 18, 19; Arroyo d. Nick Huynh,
13, 13. U-1200s: N. Huynh d. Jane Chui, 19, 22. Semis: Huynh d. Patrick Shorb, 19, 17; Chui d.
Hank Camillo, 9, 18. U-1100s: Shorb d. Philip Rounseville, -12, 13, 14. Semis: Shorb d. Philip
Oreto, 5, 11; Rounseville d. Mike Mahoney, 16, 17, 19. U-1000s: Kenny Chen d. Werner
Grabowski, 15, 20. Semis: Chen d. Stephen Fasulo, 12, 14; Grabowski d. M. Mahoney, 16,
20. U-900s: M. Mahoney d. Leonard Zurowski, 19, 15. Semis: Mahoney d. Ricky
Robinson, 3, 11; Zurowski d. Tony Yu, 13, 16, 17. U-800s: Michael Loebel d. Ricky Mercer,
10, 17. Semis: Loebel d. Robinson, 11, 8; Mercer d. Yu, 10, 17. Unrated: Michael Floutsacos
d. Robinson, 19, 19. Semis: Floutsacos d. Ben Goddard, n.s.; Robinson d. Donald Curioso,
5, 11.
State Champions were crowned at the Dec. 7th Massachusetts
Closed (though I dont know where the tournament was played).
Winners: Open Singles: Chi-Sun Chui d. Charles Hung, 19, 15, 20.
Semis: C-S Chui d. his father Lim-Ming Chui, 18, 24 (first time in a
tournament?); Hung d. Bob Zarren, 13, 17. Open Doubles: L-M and CS Chui d. Zarren/Marta Zurowski, 15, -21, 14. Semis: Chuis d.
Trischitta/Roy, 9, 4; Zarren/Zurowski d. Frank Hrobak/Michael
Floutsacos, 15, 17. U-2100s: Zarren d. C-S Chui, 18, -17, 19. Semis:
Zarren d. Kim Brastow, 14, 20; Chui d. Humberto Gil, 4, 16. U-1650s:
Jim Brown d. Dick Batten, 9, -20, 16. Semis: Brown d. Oscar Arroyo,
17, 19; Batten d. Nick Gangi, 11, 10. U-1500s: Arroyo d. Jason
Jane Chui
Koontz, 15, -22, 17. Semis: Arroyo d. Floutsacos, -18, 16, 18;
Koontz d. Ruth Crowley, 18, 19. U-1200s: Jane Chui d. Kenny Chen,
18, 20. Semis: Chui d. Patrick Shorb, 7, -18, 9; Chen d. Norman Pang, 14, 9. Seniors:
Robert Oakes d. Michael Reterski, 18, 11. Semis: Oakes d. Kazimier Zurowski, 10, 15;
Reterski d. ?, def.
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Bob Allshouse
tells me that the
Detroit Club in running
the Nov. 29-Dec. 1
U.S. Open Team
Championships
(USOTCs) must now
pay three times as
much rent at Cobo
Hall as before. Its
now $1,800 a day, so
understandably a
rather small increase in
Bob Allshouse
entry fees is absolutely
necessary. This year brought both good and bad news. There
were more entries (130 teams) than last year, but, though women and juniors used to have some
prominence here (though never enough), the Open Division is now beginning to subsume all players.
Bob Beatty, Director of these Championships since 1977, Bob
Allshouse, Chris Wibbleman, and others who run these annual
Championships, in an effort to make the tournament more prestigious,
are toying with the idea of invitingwell, not a Boos Brothers team
theyve invited themselvesbut a Chinese team. And also, on being so
emboldened as to think Chinese, of exploring the possibilities of finding
a wooden floor for the major ties; of securing sponsorship; and of getting at least local cable TV.
Beatty had lamented that reporters, photographers always appear at the wrong moments. We
usually just dont have anyone with the leisure time or the current whats happening knowledge to
give these media people what they want. This year, however, thanks to USTTA Public Relations
Director Jay Harris, the Championships got coverage in the two Detroit papers.
Scott Bakke, the new Editor of our USTTA magazine (the names no longer SPIN but has
reverted to
Table Tennis
Topics), lists for
us below the top
team finishes for
both men and
women (TTT,
Jan.-Feb., 1986,
30). Following
that, SPIN
Editor Tom
Wintrich, in his
last issue (Dec.,
1985, 5), will
give us his
coverage of the
tournament.
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OPEN-A: 1. Nigeria Skypower: Yomi Bankole, Fatai Adeyemo, Fatai Ayinde,

Taju Oshadi. 2. Nigeria Union Bank: Atanda Musa, Oye Olusodi, Titus Omatara, Muri
Ajala, Lateef Sunmola. 3. Stiga: Sean ONeill, Chartchai Teekaveerakit, Zoran
Kosanovic. 4. Canada-1: Gideon Joe Ng, Horatio Pintea, Alain Bourbonnais, Guoxi
Su, Non-Playing Captain (NPC).
OPEN-B: 1. Wiggys Winners: Ake Petersson, Mitch Seidenfeld, Dan Wiig. 2. Southern
Stars: Larry Thoman, Dick Hicks, Sr., Eric Seiler.
OPEN-C: 1. Mexican Valley University: Alberto Borges, Orlando Casas, Luis Vivanco,
Mark Legters, NPC. 2. Missing Links: Bob Fox, Chuck Turchick, Steve Steblay.
OPEN-D: 1.The Young Timers: 1. Michel Goyette, Karl Berube, Patrick Leveille, Martin
Ladouceur. 2. Slippery Rock: Gary Martin, Chip Coulter, Pat Hernan.
Women:
1. Canadas Carleton: Thanh Mach, Cindy Choi, Becky McKnight, Adham Sharara, NPC.
2. Butterfly: Diana Gee, Lisa Gee, Chaeryl Dadian, Paul Dadian, NPC.
3. Nissen: Sheila ODougherty, Takako Trenholme, Ardith Lonnon, Connie Wong,
Houshang Bozorgzadeh, NPC.
4. Gates Sisters: Cindy Marcum, Linda Gates, Martha Gates.
Heres Tom with his write-up:
Spin here, spin there, spin everywhere.
The semifinal crossovers in the Mens ties at the Detroit Teams featured non-stop topspin
play on four tables, and the best show of spin was produced by a group of green-clad spinners from
Nigeria. Its not that the Nigerians spin the ball better or harder, they just play the game of spin
faster, and no one, not in the U.S. or Canada, could do anything about it during the Nigerian teams
rout of their semifinal opponents.
But it wasnt so earlier, and why was that? Both Nigerian teams lost quickly and easily,
came runner-up in their preliminary bracket, and so in the crossover ties, since A1 played B2, and
B1 played A2, each advanced not to meet each other, but the #1 finishers. A1 turned out to be the
National Team of Canada (Ng, Pintea, Bourbonnais) and B1 the Stiga
team (ONeill, Teekaveeraskit, Kosanovic). So in the Canada-Nigeria
Skypower tie, Canada defeated the Nigerians, led by Yomi Bankole, 52; and in the Stiga-Nigeria Union Bank tie, Stiga defeated the Nigerians,
led by Atanda Musa, 5-1.
In the crossover ties, the results were quite different. Skypower
knocked off Stiga 5-1, and Union Bank took down Canada 5-2. Those
two ties were a no-contest display of Nigerian fast topspin superiority, a
style of play strengthened from years of coaching by the Chinese. [Why
did the Nigerians dump their matches? Had each team won, as obviously
they could have, the crossover semis match-ups would have been the
same. Ah, but also obviously not as dramatic.]
The final was not an exhibition tie between countrymen, but a
seriously-fought battle to the ninth-match conclusion. Although Musa won
all three of his matches for Union Bank, it wasnt enough. Skypowers
Bankole and Adeyemo each took two, while Ayinde won the only one he
Mens MVP
had tothe crucial eighth with his team down 4-3. The ninth match
Fatai Adeyemo
295

Adeyemo over Omotara then completed Skypowers comeback and gave Adeyemo the Most
Valuable Player Award and his Skypower team their fourth straight U.S. Open Team Championship.
Women:
The Womens
Most Valuable
Player Award
[though
Canadas Thanh
Mach was
undefeated] went
to Sheila
ODougherty
largely for
championing the
womens cause.
She was actively
voicing her
concern
Canadas undefeated Thanh Mach
regarding this
years distressing number of Womens teams entered in the
Womens MVP
competitiona scant seven. She repeatedly sought anyone and
Sheila ODougherty
everyones helpful advice on how to improve matters. Her lobbying
efforts didnt fall on deaf ears, but no immediate solution was formulated. Nor could Sheila resolve
her own teams dual third place finish. She and Nissen teammates Takako Trenholme, Ardith
Lonnon, and Connie Wong were third in preliminary round robin play, and third in final round robin
play.
First and second place was contested between the Carleton team from Canada (Thanh
Mach, Cindy Choi, Becky McKnight) and the Butterfly team (Diana and Lisa Gee and Cheryl
Dadian). As with the men there was a conclusive flip-flop. In preliminary round robin play, Butterfly
went undefeated with a 5-4 victory over Carlton. But in the end, when it counted most, the
Canadians came out on top, 5-3, to become the 1985 Womens Team Champions.

296

Chapter Twenty
1985: USTTA End-of-the-Year Decisions.
The final E.C. Meeting of the year took place Dec. 15-17
at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Excellent Minutes were taken by
Secretary Rufford Harrison. All E.C. members were present,
along with others who attended either at the opening of the
Meeting or in large part throughout, including Dan and Patti
Simon, Dennis Masters, Jeff Mason, Jay Harris, Bob Tretheway,
and Bill Hodge. Dan Seemiller, whose tenure as Vice-President
had been in abeyance while he was being paid for running the
Lake Placid Resident Training Program (the trial period for that
having now ended), resigned his office, effective at the conclusion
of the Dec. 17-22 U.S. Closed. Since the Lake Placid RTP
would be continued until the end of March, Seemiller wanted to
take advantage of his job there as Director (E.C. members had
$1,000 limitation on what they could earn as a paid employee of
the Association). I, Tim, would have liked Roger Sverdlik to have
Dan Seemiller
been appointed in Dans stead, but since he was now not ready
to accept, it was agreed that Bill Hodge, supported by Neil
Smyth, be appointed for the remainder of Seemillers term.
Were the USTTA able to match Rogers salary at ABC, he might be
persuaded to take on the role of Executive Director. He thinks with our good
China connections we ought to work on sending a U.S. Team to China,
sponsored by a company interested in getting into Chinaso interested that
we might be able to work out not just travel/hospitality but a package with
them. Someone ought to be at least TRYING this angle, he says.
However, though some of our E.C. members dont want to tackle
any project without sponsorship, Roger tells me that the sports
marketplace is very soft now. ESPN just cant sell time because there are
so many sports on the air. ESPN (and Jay Harris told me this too) wants
advertisers wholl both sponsor a show and buy time. Roger suggests that
Roger Sverdlik
we consider making cassettes of the sport (video rental places are
everywhere): concentrate on instructional, promotional (with world-class
players bringing glamour to the game), and entertainment shows (a la Secretin-Purkhart). Certainly
we ought to have at the sponsor-ready that 19-in-the-4th 1978 U.S. Open final Dan Seemiller
played against Japans defensive star Norio Takashima.
And speaking of fund-raising, I note that, at the Manufacturers Meeting Dec. 19 at Caesars,
Bob Cruikshank thought the USTTA ought to produce a Fund-Raising Manual, then follow-up by
offering Fund-Raising seminars. He didnt say, though, whod do the Manual, conduct the seminars.
But, ah, everything, especially progress, costs money.
In preparing a USTTA Financial Report, Sheila, working in concert with Lyle and Emily,
says theyve had problems with our fiscal-year Beginning Balance, says theyve gradually been
discovering Accounts Payable items they didnt know we owed, and that apparently were not
detected by the Colorado Springs auditors. Shes convinced, though, that by working on
297

centralizing our accounts at Headquarters we can quickly get our new system together. (No longer
does something become an expense only when we finally pay for itohh, that was real bad.) At any
event, after more discussion and analysis with Lyle and Emily during our Vegas Meeting, Sheila was
able to present (TTT, Mar.-Apr., 1986, 23) the up-to-date Financial Report, including the BudgetIncome Statement from 6/01/85 to 1/31/86, I reproduce on the next page.
A major change for the USTTA occurred in the Editorship of our National Publication. It
had become increasingly obvious to me that Tom Wintrichs head was not into doing the magazine.
When he resigned, we of course had to find a successor. Jay Harris, who replaces Tom as
Advertising Chair (Jay is also our Public Relations and Fund-Raising Chair), and who Id
authorized, at an honorarium of $50 a month plus telephone expenses, to supply relevant
information to local media in areas where major events were being held, wanted to be the Editor (at
$1,000 a month, which would allow him to have help). But I successfully pushed for Scott Bakke, a
19-year-old Minnesota player and college student looking to pursue a degree in Journalism and
Publication Design.
I sent all E.C. members copies of Scotts three issues of Wiggys, the publication hed
started with a vitality and variety of content as a labor of love back in September, and also a copy
of his impressive presentation for the Editors job. Hell operate out of Minneapolis, where, in doing
Wiggys, he and his backers had established an in with a well-known printer whod given them,
and I believe will continue to give them, a break on the printing costs. Of course since Scott is
untried with us, his initial contract for editing, at his insistence not a tabloid like SPIN but a slickcover magazine to be published six times a year, the name reverting to Table Tennis Topics, was for
six months at a salary of $500 a month.
Cant wait to hear this 19-year-old Editors sophisticated individual voice in TTT? Ill give
you a few lines from my advance copy. Here he is, in his first (Jan.-Feb., 1986) issue, with his
youthful exuberancehis humor and ironyin saying an imaginative Hello to the reader:
When Wiggy and I were approached by Tim Boggan and the ever affable E.C. concerning
this Editor position, frankly we were skeptical. But as the project unfolded, that feeling was quickly
replaced by uncertainty. How would we handle the hate mail? Who would do the prufereeding?
Most importantly, how was Wiggy to grab the spotlight over that pesky eagle in the USTTA logo?
After some discussion, it was agreed to continue the publication of the ratings every month.
On Dec. 11, Rating Chair Dan Simon had presented a position paper to the E.C. He had a number
of arguments for preserving the rating pages per issue, not the least of which was that the rating
pages are the ones most frequently looked at first for personal and friends ratings. Indeed, proof
that the average player is very interested in his (her) rating can be seen when Dan averages 23
phone calls per week from players who want to know their rating. Really, as many as that. As if
suddenly realizing that such an interest amounts to over 1000 calls a year, Dan announced hell no
longer give out ratings over the phone. So, o.k., ratings in every issuebut how about a separate
insert for them? [This would be tried, but wouldnt prove satisfactory.]
A proposal that Bob Tretheway be retained for one year with a salary increase of $1,000
with frequent reports to the E.C. was defeated 3-5-1. But a similar proposal carrying no increase in
salary was accepted 5-4. Since we needed a very professional-looking Grant Proposal to submit to
the USOC by Dec. 20, our USTTA Player Rep, Sheila ODougherty, suggested our Project should
be the Resident Training Camp Program (for which we also needed a Resident Manager). The E.C.
298

299

agreed to this; but to give us a better chance of getting funded, only with regard to Colorado
Springs not Lake Placid toothough we need help with the latter since Butterflys decided not to
support the Program there. Bob again showed his value to the Association by writing this Grant. If
he didnt do it, who would?
One suggestion (not adopted) to get RTP funding: let Yim Gee invest $100,000 of our
money at what he says would be a 30% return.
Some questions were raised concerning the quality of those attending the two RTPs. It was
felt by some that certain members of the squads were mediocre, and it was suggested to Bob that a
qualification procedure should be established.
It was agreed that the position of Coaching Committee Chair not be filled, and that instead
Ai Liguo should be appointed Coaching Director. Liquo wants to be the U.S. Distributor for
Friendship rubber. Whether in his position as Coaching Director he can be the distributor is
something the E.C. needs to decide. Gus Kennedys gone on record as saying: It should be
required that in order to receive pay from the USTTA for services, one cannot receive pay from
manufacturers for selling their equipment or acting as their agent.
Larry Hodges, wholl be
representing the Association for years in
various important ways while making a
living in table tennis, continues with his
coaching articles. Heres his latest,
Stepping Around the Backhand Corner
(SPIN, Oct., 1985, 16):
Since the forehand is almost
always stronger than the backhand, it is
very important to be able to use the
forehand out of the backhand corner.
Stepping around the backhand
involves four parts: (1) setting up the shot;
(2) assessing whether to step around or
Larry Hodges at 1983 Pan Am Trials
not; (3) the footwork itself; and (4) the
Photo by Donna Sakai
shot itself.
Getting a shot to step around on involves good shot selection on your part, ball placement,
and quick judgment. You want to look for and take advantage of your opponents pushes, blocks,
and pop-ups, especially pop-ups, for with them you have more time to move into position. If you
anticipate a shot to the backhand, dont move until your opponent is committedand then move
very quickly to try to score or force a weak return with your forehand, the more quickly if youve
had difficulty anticipating where your opponents block or drive is going. If your footwork is
sound [Larrys very specific on this, illustrating with several diagrams the proper positions of the
attackers feet], and you learn to pull your arm back quickly as you step aroundyoull be taking
full advantage of your natural strength and the power of your forehand.
Larrys article drew something of an amendment-commentary from Rufford Harrison (TTT,
Jan.-Feb., 1986), excerpts of which (originally seen in a recent Butterfly Table Tennis Report) I
note here:
First, Im not sure that, in general, there is enough time for those two steps-around-the
300

backhand so as to forehand attack that Larry

recommends: the short one to the side with the left foot,
followed by the longer one to the back and left side with
the right foot.Perhaps an intermediate player can do it
on what Larry calls a pop-up, possibly even on a push.
But on a block? I doubt it.
The Chinese penholders can do it, even against
drives and loopsbut even world champions seldom
have the luxury of enough time for two steps. No, they
take just one. They leave the right foot planted and
simply take Larrys left-foot step. The resulting stance is
parallel to the end-line and extremely broad. [Rufford
elaborates a bit more (a sharp turn of the waist,
shoulders almost perpendicular, ball struck almost
vertically above the right hip) but see the adjacent photo
of Chinas Chen Longcan in action.]
Chinas Chen Longcan
Want an alternative? Improve your
Photo courtesy of Tamasu Company
backhand. [Larry writes of this, The technique I wrote
about is when you have time, and which is what you strive to do. The technique Rufford writes
about is when you are rushed and have to improvise, at the cost of power.]
Although Christian Lillieroos could not be hired yethis alien
residency papers were still being processedI continue to think hed be a
very valuable asset to us. Here, however, is what he reminded me of
before he left for Sweden:
This first half-year has been a very good experience for me.
When I first thought about table tennis in this country I was very optimistic.
Now I am even more optimistic. It is hard to fail hereeveryone loves the
sport.
However, my experience in the U.S. has also been expensive for
me. Just going to tournaments, making contacts, seeing for myself what
T.T. is like in various parts of the country has cost me $1,000. I travel
Christian Lillieroos
back and forth to the Westfield Club at least once a daythats $120 just
for gas. The USTTA gave me $400 towards a car, but I wasnt sure what a car for $400 would
look like or run like, and I didnt have time to shop around, so I put in some more money myself
that would at least give me a presentable-looking car as I went from school to school. Of course I
cant afford my own apartment. Right now Im living with Barry Dattelrenting a room from him.
This means I have no home in the ordinary sense.
All this compared to the good-paying job I had in Sweden and could have again.
So, while I think this half-year in the U.S. has been a valuable education for me, I also think
Ive more than served an apprenticeship and now need to make a dignified living.
I want to help him do that.
Regarding Canadian TTAAdham Shararas Quadrennial Planning Program for the USTTA:
In order to improve the state of table tennis in the U.S. as much as I can, I enlisted the help
of the very experienced CTTA Secretary-General (formerly CTTA Technical Director) Adham
301

Sharara who will one day be the longtime President of the ITTF.
Questionnaires seeking to find flexible and opportunistic approaches
to further our sport were sent out from Ottawa on Dec. 3 to 130 of
our Association members. These people, encompassing in toto every
conceivable point of view, I myself had selected as being very
involved in U.S. Table Tennis. Although the results of these
Questionnaires werent available for our E.C. Meeting, Adham, on
joining us in Las Vegas, urged that we adopt the classifications used in
the Questionnaire and order our priorities around them. Here they are
(in no particular order):
Adham Sharara
1.
Organization and Analysis
2.
National Team
3.
Coaching
4.
Officials
5.
Facilities and Clubs
6.
Tournaments and Competition
7.
National Championships
8.
Junior Development/Talent Identification
9.
Medical and Scientific
10.
Public Relations/Fund-Raising/Advertising/Sponsorship
On discussing this Questionnair with Adham, there was an obvious consensus that the
Association suffered from lack of planning and good management, and also from lack of sufficient
places to play. The group was almost unanimous, however, that marketing or public relations should
be the top priority for the next couple of years. But if theres going to be any follow-up to that
conclusion, we need to have a product (a U.S. Team? a Showcase Circuit?) we can show to PR
and marketing professionals who can do something about creating an all-important IMAGE for us.
I plan to meet with Sharara in April. Hell want to address our E.C.spend a whole day
making an objective presentation. Hell want everyone to understand that the Questionnaires show
how the most interested parties view the Association as it is now [often, from my point of view, in an
unduly (what can we do?) negative way]. Adham wants these parties to concentrate on how they
want the Association to be in the future. Itll be the immediate responsibility of the E.C. to begin to
move us towards a rational step-by-step implementation of an ACTION PROGRAM.
Together, Adham and the E.C. will construct a skeleton model of this PROGRAM that well
be expected to hold to. (Work sheets will be sent to E.C. members prior to their Summer Meeting
showing priorities established by the Questionnaires. Suggestions will be solicited on what
specifically should be done to accomplish what we want to accomplish.) Subjects of most
importance (and its vital that we get a consensus of opinions on this from the E.C.) will be taken up
in a priority orderwith appropriate allocations and time guidelines.
Adham feels that we MUST spend (despite the present constrictive mindset of some E.C.
members) a sufficient amount of seed moneyperhaps as much as $300,000-$350,000 the first
year, $200,00 the second year, $100,000 the third year. Our PROGRAM understanding will be
that we have every rational reason to believe that well get, that we MUST get, an acceptable return
for our money.
This means that we have to consider (what many trying to further t.t. in the U.S. havent
wanted to consider) the validity of the volcanic approach, working from the top down. To get TV
its essential for us to promote our TOP players and CLASS tournaments. But for us to make these
302

players and places available costs money. What are we willing to spend to get
our sport visible? Jay Harris told me that a January Saturday afternoon ESPN
viewing of our Closed was possible for $42,000 total. To which Jimmy
McClure said, It is utterly ridiculous to even think about this [my italics]
unless we have a sponsor to put up the money. Yes, a sponsor thats not the USTTA itself. Maybe
Jay can come up with onehes pursuing Pepsi cause theyve come out with a new product called
Slice.
Jay is trying. He thinks a TV viewing of our 1986 U.S. Open (a one-hour-long Saturday
show plus two re-runs) could be put together for $30,000. If the E.C. could get a sponsor to go
halves, would we commit $15,000 to it?
On Adhams list is Facilties and Clubs. Emily and
Co., facilitators at our Colorado Springs Headquarters,
should know that, according to Lou Bochenski, fully
20% of our USTTA Mailing List has errors in it. Lou
does not want to turn over to the USTTA his workedhard-to-accumulate Paddle Palace mailing list (roughly
five times that of the USTTAs). But he does want to
cooperate with the USTTA. He wants to put the most
up-to-date tournament schedule and listing of USTTA
clubs in his Paddle Palace cataloguebut he says that his Lou Bochenski at his Paddle Palace work
requests for updates fall on deaf earsas do his requests
for the names and addresses of new USTTA members. Id like more cooperation with Lou.
Someone suggested to me that somebody at Headquarters ought to make a list of products
that go primarily to a Vietnam population, a Korean population, a Chinese population, an Indian
population, and so on, and that somebody should then contact these companies and see if we
couldnt get ads not only in tournament programs but in our Table Tennis Topics as well.

Robert Compton with his

Olympus 250 mm F-2 lens

Headquarters can also help by

soliciting photosencouraging both
amateur and experienced photographers
to send in any shots they fancy. Robert
Compton, Mal Anderson, and Terry
Canup cant be everywhere photos need
to be taken. Heres Compton (SPIN,
Oct., 1985, 21) giving an introductory
lecture on cameras and camera technique:
Click
Robert Compton
You have just captured an instant
on film. Did you get what you wanteda high-toss serve, a kill, an
off-the-floor chop, an expression?
You dont have to be a professional using expensive
equipment to get good table tennis photos. At major tournaments
you will see a variety of cameras used from disc to 2 and -inch
format. However, the camera youll see most often is a 35mm
303

single lens reflex (SLR). The 35mm SLR is a very flexible system. You have many lenses and films
to choose from and the cameras themselves can be fully automatic, including auto focus. Still, you
need to know when to shoot and what film to use.
Film choices are abundant for 35mm cameras and picking the right one is very important.
Table tennis is an indoor sport played under artificial light and the films that are best for these
conditions fall in the range of ASA/ISO 400 to 1600 since they dont require much light.
A number of different lenses can be used for table tennis. Wide-angle lenses are good for
crowd shots. The standard 50mm lens that comes with most cameras is very good as it doesnt
require much light and doesnt weigh very much. Telephoto lenses from 85mm on up are the most
useful lenses for table tennis action since they are best for close-ups. However, there is a trade-off
with telephoto lenses because generally the longer the focal length of the lens, the more light you
need. There are exceptions to this, but such lenses are very expensive and heavy. Zoom lenses can
also be used, but again they require more light.
When preparing to photograph a player, its a good idea to watch a while before shooting.
The observation can help you decide on the shot you want to take. Does the player have a great
backhand or serve you want to photograph? After watching you can decide what the best angle is
to shoot. If you are in the stands and cant move around, you can see what the best shot would be
from your position. The point is to be selective in what you shoot.
When photographing an action shot, you normally want to stop the action. This is
accomplished with a fast shutter speed. To keep the players from becoming a blur, its best to use a
shutter speed of at least 1/250 of a second, but usually the faster the better. You are normally limited
to the fastest shutter speed you can use by the speed of the lens. If you have a lens that requires a
lot of light (a slow lens), then you will be able to use a fast shutter speed.
Listed below is what I use for particular shots.
Equipment:
Olympus cameras and lenses.
24mm f/2 or 35mm f/2 for crowd shots
85mm f/2 or 135mm f/2 for doubles
135mm f/2 or 180mm f/2 or f/2.8 for singles
250mm f/2 for close-ups from a distance
Film:
B&W Tri-X rated at E.I. 1600
Color: Ektachrome EES rated at E.I. 800 or 1600
Kodacolor VR 400 or 1000 pushed a stop

Dell Sweeris

Regarding USTTA clubs, Im interested in how new-image ones can

be formed and what can be done for our existing ones. A New York City
Club is a high priority for me, but so far, though Ive tried, I cant make it
happen.
Dell Sweeris has requested $10,000 for three years in order to
establish the Grand Rapids, MI club on a professional level. There was a
consensus among E.C. members that, while it was admirable to increase the
number of clubs and their quality, it was not desirable to single out any
specific one.
After a different approach was suggested by Sharara, a subcommittee of Boggan, Eisner, McClure, and Sweeris agreed to modify Dells
304

proposal so that it could be offered to all clubs, with criteria established so that one club could be
selected during the first year, four more in the second year, and five more in the third. The revised
procedure was to be sent by mid-February to all clubs, with a deadline for preliminary reply by the
end of March, and a final reply by the end of April with complete details. The proposal would be
offered to non-profit clubs only, with the objective of establishing a nation-wide series of centers of
excellence. The above named sub-committee would recommend to the E.C. before its Summer
Meeting the five best prospects. It was planned that the program would be in place on Jan. 1, 1987.
Since in a letter to me Ohios Rick Hardy* requested $200 or so a month to put his well-established
Cleveland club in the market for a better facility, Im sure hell be one of the first to respond.

Bowie Martin Sr.

Bowie Martin Jr.
Photo from Butterfly World Report, 1990
Like Clubs, Junior
Development is also on Adhams
list. On Jan. 5, I sent round to the E.C. notice that Bowie Martin
Ty Hoff
offered to help the USTTA in a grass-roots Junior Program.
Specifically that would be in an area of the country where he
knows from past experience such a Program would be successfulnamely, in the Wilson, N.C.
School System.
The cost to the USTTA for a four-month Pilot Program, supported by the now operative Wilson
Table Tennis Club and directed, with Bowies approval, by the experienced North Carolinian Al Herr
(assisted by the equally experienced Ty Hoff and Bowie Martin, Jr.) would be $3,200.
It turned out that the E.C. resisted this Program, but, after talking with Jimmy McClure,
Ive allotted Bowie and Co. $800 for a one-month trial run. Bowies offer was the only gesture of
progress that came to us out of that three-hour Manufacturers Meeting at Caesars, Dec. 19th,
Jimmy and I attended. Bowies got all the 6th-8th-graders in Wilson County at least aware of this
upcoming Project. Youth programs are already going from 4-6 every afternoon at both the USTTA

305

Wilson Club and the towns Recreation Department. Just like at Colorado Springs and Lake Placid
a van comes around and transports the kidsthat in itself is very encouraging to participants and
parents, for it suggests sustained play is probable.
McClure, I might add, is particularly alert as to whats happening (or not happening) in his
home state of Indiana. He speaks of an Indianapolis Sports Youth Development Program (five
sports including table tennis) that the city, the Eli Lilly Co., and the Pan Am people are behind (the
Pan Am Games are set for Indianapolis in 1987 with McClure as T.T. Commissioner). The program
started Nov. 2, is for kids 5-14, and will last for six weeks. Table tennis is played on only one day
(Sat. or Sun.) during Nov.-Dec. but every day in an eight-week program this summer.
Bill Hall, President of the Pershing, IN club, suggests that every month the USTTA should
give a free Junior Membership to an Outstanding Junior. However, since details are lacking, ones
left to speculate. Is the recipient expected to be a non-USTTA member? Is there to be ONE such
recipient in the whole country? Or is every USTTA club supposed to pick one of their own, and
every month! That last suggestion would have to draw a sardonic reply. Rufford, however, offered a
serious response: said the USTTA would need to set standards and requirements that would have to
be met. I dont think itll happen.
Rick Hardy was one of those 130 who received Adhams most excellent Questionnaire.
He noted (TTT, Mar.-Apr., 1986, 28) that in the Junior Development/Talent Identification section,
14 of the 16 questions referred to the identification and development of elite juniors. Where will
these juniors come from? [Answer: from the future: from coaches, especially Chinese and other
experienced foreign-born coaches, whobecause they have the respect of parents who want their
children to excel; have the support of the community in which they live, and have access to a thriving
training facilityCAN MAKE A RESPECTABLE AND PERHAPS EVEN A VERY GOOD
LIVING.]
Rick was also very interested in the section on officials (referees
and umpires). Their duties for years now have been fraught with
controversies, problems, because of the ever-changing development of
the sport. Heres a pertinent article from Californias Bob Green (SPIN,
Sept., 1985, 24):
This article is being written to attempt to correct an important
error in the USTTA
service rule. As an
Jan-Ove Waldner, using
what
with his obstructing
umpire, I have
arm
will later be called
observed several
an illegal serve
American players
using the SwedishBob Green
Photo by Mal Anderson
type high-toss
service and then
covering the descent of the ball to the bat with
the open palm of their freehand. This
effectively blocks their opponents view at the
moment of contact. I have challenged the
legality of this service and each time I have
been reminded that it is perfectly legalthe
service rule states that the service only has to
be fully visible to the umpire.
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This is absolutely true, but pity the poor opponent trying to make a good service return and
probably cant because his view of the ball during its descent and contact is blocked out by the
hand in front of the ball. The players using this type of service admit that they do it on purpose and
point out that it is legal. Many young players are starting to copy this service, knowing that they can
get away with it.
The rule should be amended as soon as possible. It should read that the service must be
fully visible to both the umpire and the opponent at all times,
USTTA Rules Chair Mal Anderson responds in an adjacent article:
The problem Bob Green wrote about, that the rules require the ball in service to be visible
at all times to the umpire but not to the player is rooted in the ITTF Rules; the USTTA Rules are
normally identical with the ITTF Rules. The ITTF Rules Committee had discussed this problem. We
reluctantly concluded that requiring the umpire to decide if a serve is visible to the receiver is
unreasonable. The service rule is already a very tough rule to enforce, a split-second decision
regarding what the opponent could or could not see is simply asking too much.
Since the ITTF has rejected this proposal, it is very unlikely that the USTTA will consider it.
Like so much else, this serving method is part of the continuing evolution of the sport, which we
have to accept.
Virginias Jack Carr, for one, does not accept this method of
serving. He writes (SPIN, Nov, 1985, 4): In the Sept. SPIN, Bob
Green complained that the servers free hand is being used to block the
receivers view of the serve at the moment of contact. There should be a
rule which prevents any part of the body or free hand (arm) between the
ball and table during the serve. The umpire can easily see this, whereas he
might not be able to tell if the receiver can see the entire serve.
[Twenty years later, its as if the ITTF suddenly heard Jack and
paid attention to what he said. In 2005, the Federation passed 2.6.5: As
soon as the ball has been projected, the servers free arm shall be
Jack Carr
removed from the space
between the ball and the net.]
Looking for something new? How about
Franchised Table Tennis? (SPIN, July-Aug, 1985, 12).
A writer named J. Henry explains how an article in the
Wall Street Journal excited not a table tennis player but
32-year-old Rip Kirby into becoming a table tennis
advocate.
The article was about Gus Berliners table tennis
robot, the Sitco R III Loop. Mr. Kirby became so
excited when he read the article that he called Mr.
Berliner at home outlining his idea for a table tennis
arcade using robots as the attraction. [Huh? An arcade?
How would that work?]
The arcade, or club, is a 13,500-square-foot
facility complete with locker room, pro shop, and
restaurant. The playing area is a 9,500-square-foot
geodesic dome. The dome is 110 feet in diameter and 41
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feet high. It houses 15 robot tables

and six one-on-one tables. Balls are
cleared off the floor by a gravityassisted, pneumatically-driven suction
system. The club rents shoes and
paddles much like a bowling alley and
the machines are rented in 15-minute
segments. All the proportions of the
club comply with USTTA rules (800
square feet per table) and all
equipment used, rented, and sold will
Rip Kirbys geodesic dome
be official USTTA-approved
equipment.
AHA! You exclaim. Twenty-one tables require 16,800 square feet to comply with USTTA
rules. Quite true, Mr. Kirby allows, but robots dont need any playing room, they dont move. Thus,
the floor plan doesnt allow them any room and presto! A very efficient building-design concept is
born. Using the circular nature of the geodesic dome to his advantage, Mr. Kirby designed a playing
area for the robot table in the center of the dome, each table spoking outward providing a pieshaped playing area for the human opponents. The one-on-one table-playing areas form a
concentric band 20 feet wide and 40 feet long around the perimeter of the dome. The ceiling is
rounded, 41 feet high at the apex and allows the required 14 feet of clearance over every table. The
lighting is all indirect and all the windows are frosted to provide diffuse lighting. All the airconditioning is floor-mounted to keep the air from being disturbed.
AHA! You exclaim again, who will play the robot? The table tennis population is too small!
True again, allows Mr. Kirby, but that is exactly the point, the population is too small because table
tennis has always required two players. Now, we have a smaller facility and no requirement for a
partner. Thus the building is economical to build and the customer only needs free time to play.
Besides, Mr. Kirby points out, his company did a marketing study that proves the customer base is
in place, waiting for this challenge and willing to pay.
Not only
that, the
marketing study
showed that
table tennis is an
unknown sport
to the general
public. Only
30% of the
general public
know that table
tennis is an
Olympic sport.
There is a large,
affluent, untapped market out there and thats one reason why were going to build this facility.
[Another source says the first of Mr. Kirbys five clubs planned for Florida will be in Ft. Walton
Beach, and that he plans to charge $2.00 an hour to practice with what he calls the pongbota
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combination of the words pong and bot (from robot of course). The franchise fee will be
$50,000.]
The second reason why were going to build this facility is to offer the opportunity to play
table tennis to the general public in a mass waythrough Mr. Kirbys clubs. His contention is that
the more people who play the game the better the chance to produce serious competitive players.
Its a game of numbers and, who knows, future table tennis stars, perhaps even an Olympic gold
medalist, will have gotten their start in the sport by playing in the robot facility.
And who will Mr. Kirby have working for him as Vice President and the
corporations competitive director of these Pongbot Family Table Tennis
Centers?
AHA! Tom Wintrich, of course.
Which perhaps explains why, during the week of Jan. 13th, the
revolutionary RIII loop was featured on LATE NIGHT with David Letterman
as the shows hottest new invention. As of Mon., Jan. 27th, the machine was
still displayed behind Lettermans L-shaped desk, but so far has been used as
a mini-cannon to humor viewers. Of course, even more amusing would be to
see the shows host, David Letterman, try to illustrate as a player the robots
real purpose.
Tom Wintrich
SELECTED NOTES.
*Heres Rick Hardy (TTT, Jan.-Feb., 1986,
25) introducing us to his new Topics column Table
Talk:
Since this is the inaugural installment of what
will become a regular feature in the new Topics, Ill
start with some background about myself.
But first I must congratulate Scott Bakke on
his selection as editor, and his revival of Topics. I
have no doubt that he will be a great editor, and so,
like a polite guest, Ill try to keep this writing to a
similar high standard.
My name is Rick Hardy. Nine years ago, I was emancipated from the basement and joined
the sometimes real, sometimes unreal world of table tennis. Since then, Ive graduated to be
President and Co-Tournament Director of the Cleveland Table Tennis Club and also SecretaryTreasurer of the Ohio Table Tennis Association. For the last two years Ive been a member of
Sheila ODoughertys Athletes Advisory Committee. Some of my writing, including this column, will
come from my communication with that committee.
There has been little concrete activity since the Athletes Advisory Committee was formed
with some fanfare and an impressive list of names in June, 1984. Some of this has been due to
Sheilas relocation back to Minneapolis. Mostly, however, we ran into a logistical problem. How
can 15 people, scattered around the country, make the commitment of time and money to attend
biennial meetings at such widely separated locations as Miami and Las Vegas? Since we cannot,
continuity of purpose has been non-existent.
Another problem is focus. Where does one start to reverse the sorry record of U.S. table
tennis? We have lacked a clear sense of focus. In an attempt to fill that void, Im going to share
some of the ideas Ive shared with Sheila.
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Stellan Bengtsson has pointed out that, in a country the size of ours, strong state or regional
associations are essential to the promotion of the sport. We have had a strong state association in
Ohio for many years. We hold a meeting each summer at which we conduct general business and
set the tournament schedule for the coming season. Each year we select and pay entry fees for
teams to represent Ohio at the USOTCs. We also have a state ranking system about which I would
like to elaborate.
Rankings are kept in all open and age-limited events. Points are awarded for each place
achieved in the event, provided at least one match was won. Unlike the USTTA rating system,
points cannot be lost, and so the ranking system always encourages participation in tournaments.
Certificates of ranking are awarded in all categories at the end of the season.
Three years ago, I initiated an Awards Ceremony at which players received their ranking
certificates. The Ceremony was held at the first tournament of the new season. This sparked
renewed interest in the ranking system. One player who had elected not to play in the tournament
drove 75 miles just to hear his name called and receive his award.
Clearly, we had touched the lives, the hearts, of not only this player, but of many others, and
at the cost of only a little effort, a little thought, and a few pieces of paper. With all the talk of the
large expenditures needed for promotion, heres an inexpensive program anyone can implement.
Even if you have only one club in your state, why not try running three or four tournaments a
year, see what happens.

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Chapter Twenty-One
1985: Insook Bhushan/Sean ONeill U.S. Closed Champions.

Ill begin this coverage of our 1985 History-making U.S. Closed with the Welcome to
Caesars greeting with which I opened the Tournament Program:
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars
A dark Beware was what I heard from more than one voice last spring and then again
last summer. But my, your, E.C. was responsive to change, to a new venueand we had a glittering
Miami-Marriott/Miami Beach Convention Center U.S. Open. In inviting a worldly relationship with
the worlds bestChina and Swedenwe started the USTTA on a roll, put the Association not
into bankruptcy, but into what, again and again, we have to high-stakes hope will continue to be a
favorable betting situation.
Coming, after that success, to image-making Caesars was another change for us. This, too,
was a gamble, was it? I never thought sonot if you consider the odds facing the sport. It was just
a logical follow-upa move for the best.
Objectively, subjectively, its a triumphant return were making here to Caesars. On Nov.
22, as I write this Welcome, a month before the U.S. Closed was to end, we had 432 entries. So
with every turn of every players card you can see that entries are up 20% or more from last year
and that more players are playing in more events.
Which fact prompts me, of course, to publicly thank YOUyou hundreds of players and
spectators reading thison whom Im always mindful the success of this tournament so depends.
Thanks particularly to Neil Smyth who made an extra effort to bring the Closed back to this
glamorous hotel. And thanks, too, to those on and off the E.C. who last-minute supported me in my
strong desire to return our National Championships to where in Vegas they began. Im thinking
311

especially of Howard Grossman, Harold Kopper, and Stan Robens who gave me psychic strength
to persevere, try one last spin of Fortunes wheel, to get the Nationals back here.
So, o.k., Im a modest gambler, am willing to cross a little Rubicon or two. After all, whats
life without a warm welcome for at least a little risk? As USTTA President, as one with introspective
Spirit, I know what I need and what Table Tennis needs for a night-sky space in the long, desertstretch history of our sport.
Thanks, everyone, for coming to Caesars. Because of your support, Table Tennis is looking
up.
Ah, yes, a little soaring rhetoric is what youd expect from a President like me. Better get a
Historian in here to bring things down to earth. I, Tim, introduce Californian William Walden (TTT,
Jan.-Feb., 1986, 18) to give us his Lost Vegas take:
It seems as if the major
event at the Nationals was
selling the tables that were
used. The stars of the show
were neither applauded nor
embraced. Most often they
went unrecognized. Danny
[Seemiller] was into public
relations, while George
[Brathwaite] spent his time in
the [hotel] lobby, and Eric
[Boggan] just disappeared.
Scott [Boggan] nursed a
headache, Khoa [Nguyen] a
sour stomach, and Ming [Lim
Ming Chui] scored 21 more
times on the casino tables than on those in the tin [t.t.] pavilion.
I guess maybe the National Championships just werent that important this year. Where was
the vibrant electricity of Las Vegas? Out on the Strip? In the casinos? It certainly was absent in the
sweltering arena as we squinted through the darkness to pick up the flight of the ball. Somebody
forgot to turn up the Christmas-Tree lights.
I sure got thirsty there, and my stomach growled most of the time. Someone finally set up a
small snack bar after a few of us wandered, half-naked, through the hotel coffee shop in our
dripping gym shorts.
I did get in a lot of good practice at the Nationals. Ever pull on a nickel machine? Its
perfect for developing a strong backhand loop. Twice a day I did a mile between the pit and the
hotel elevator to my room. It made me so wilted and weak that room service beat a costly path to
my door with buckets of ice. Six bucks a dayfor ice?
Oh, well, my footwork was great around the casino tables. But all that work for a loss?
Well, really, I didnt work half as hard as the National Champions did. Come to think of it, I lost
more money than they won. But thats just the nature of our sportgives us something a little less
than the nickel machines do.
Needless to say, Insook, Sean, Jimmy, and Diana came to Las Vegas for a reason. I guess
the rest of us came for reasons, too. We met old friends, resumed old rivalries, and had one heck of
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a good time! Clink, Clink, Clink, Clink. [Uh, it sure didnt sound like you had a heck of a good
time.]
Photographer Don Gunn, too, taking some shots at the Closed, had these introductory
words to offer (TTT, Jan.-Feb, 1986, 27):
Within the front entrance of Caesars Palace stands a statue of Julius Caesar himself, his
arm extended in a gesture of welcome, with forefinger extended. It is the wrong finger. Down a
passageway stands Michelangelos David, larger than life, unclothed and high on a pedestal. One
always feels a little nervous when passing that massive piece of sculpture. What if something fell off?
I can hear the doctor now, You got this head injury from a falling what?
The day before play commenced I wandered into the pavilion, and soon was lining up
barriers, installing nets, etc. Then the workmen politely asked me to desist, as it would cut into their
overtime pay, which they would earn by doing these things.Fair enough. I stopped.
Late into the tournament I discovered that the best place to take pictures in the pavilion is in
the mens room. The light there is two F/ stops better than in the playing area.
Womens Singles (First Stage)
I move now to the $3,400 Womens Singles event at
this Closed as told to us by Shazzi Felstein (TTT, Jan.-Feb.,
1986, 9-10):
Bright and early Wednesday morning, or at least early,
at 9:00 a.m., the Womens Singles began. There were four
groups of six players each, with three players to advance from
each group. The three top-seeded players in each group did
advance, although not necessarily in the predicted order.
Groups I and III finished exactly in the order of seeding,
with Insook Bhushan, Carol Davidson, and Kerry Vandaveer
advancing from Group I, and Lan Vuong, Lisa Gee, and
Jasmine Wang advancing from Group III. Ardith Lonnon and
Connie Sweeris were the two who just missed, Ardith winning
Shazzi Felstein
deuce games from both Carol and Kerry, and Connie playing
two close games with both Lisa and Jasmine.
In Group II, top-seed Julie Au (the tournaments Defending Champion and overall second
seed to Insook) won all her matches easily, but #3 Sheila ODougherty moved up to #2 finisher
when she beat Vicky Wong, the #3 finisher whod been second-seed in the Group. Chin-Yur King,
who finished #4, didnt advance but in losing 20, 19 to Vicky made a valiant try.
Group IV was the most interesting, and the only Group with ties. Long after the others had
finished, first-through-fourth seeds Diana Gee, Cheryl Dadian, Takako Trenholme, and Olga Soltesz
were still battling it out. Cheryl lost a very close first match to Olga, and said she hoped shed make
it out of the Group. She didin fact, she beat everyone else in straight games. She and Diana
ended up with 4-1 records. Takako, who lost close matches to both Diana and Cheryl, and Olga,
who lost to Diana and Takako, finished 3-2. When two players have the same record, theres a
head-to-head tie-breakerso Cheryl was the #1 finisher with her victory over #2 Diana, and
Takako got the #3 spot with her win over Olga.
Thus the twelve top-seeded women all advanced. Insook, Julie and Lan were all
unbeatenbut in the two Groups of six that would now fight it out, thered be no carryovers.
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Crossovers, however, there were: the semis would match the #1 finisher in each Group against the
#2 finisher in the opposite Group; then the two winners would play in the final, while the losers
would play for third/fourth. One crossover would decide fifth/sixth, and one crossover seventh/
eighth. The top eight finishers would be the National Team Squad (NTS).
Other Events with Women Winners
Before Shazzi continues with the late round Womens Singles and Womens Amateur
matches, I want to give you the results of other events with women finalists: Womens Doubles:
Final: Insook Bhushan/Diana Gee over Julie Au/Lisa Gee, 15, -18, 12. Semis: Bhushan/Gee over
Cheryl Dadian/Ardith Lonnon, 11, 11; Au/Gee over Vicky Wong/Carol Davidson, 5, 18. Mixed
Doubles: Final: D. Gee/Sean ONeill over Bhushan/Dan Seemiller, -12, 16, 23. Semis: Gee/ONeill
over Au/Scott Boggan, 8, 16/ Bhushan/Seemiller over Dadian/Rick Seemiller, 11, 12. U-1800
Womens Singles: Final: Shazzi Felstein over Genevieve Hayes, 16, 11. Semis: Felstein over
Nadine Doyle, 16, 11; Hayes over Cindi Cooper, 16, -14, 18. U-4000 Doubles: Final: Vicky
Wong/Jasmine Wang over Chip Coulter/Chris Rivette, 19, 17. Semis: Wong/Wang over Rich
Friedland/Mark Wedret, 14, -17, 19; Coulter/Rivette over Y.C. Lee/Gary Ruderman, 13, -15, 17.
Womens O-40: Final: Felstein over Barbara Kaminsky, 15, 21.
Womens Singles (Final Stage)
The Womens had 12 players lefttwo groups of six. In
Group I, Insook continued her unbeaten streak20 games in a row.
Lisa, though losing to Insook, won all her other matches easily
(except for a close one with Dadian) and so advanced to the
crossover semis. Sheila also won a close one from Cheryl, and
against Trenholme came from way behind in the first to take that
game and then the next and so finished third in the Group. Takako
beat Cheryl and Kerry two straight to claim fourth. Cheryl, after
losing three close matches in these round robins, had a fifth-place
breather with Kerry who went 0-10 to finish sixth.
In Group II, Lan was again undefeated, although four of her five
matches went into the third game. Diana also advanced, thanks to her
19-in-the-third win over #3 finisher Julie. Jasmine was fourth after
fighting off match point against Carol who placed fifth. Vicky was last
1985 U.S.
with an 0-5 recordshe played close matches with everyone except
Womens
Julie, but just wasnt tough enough to win the tough ones.
Champion
Saturday morning brought the semis and the crossovers (all best Insook Bhushan
of five). In the one semis, Insook easily defeated Diana. In the other,
Lan and Lisa, both playing aggressively, struggled into the fifth. Lan was up 14-9, on her way, when,
wow, Lisa made nine straight points, attacking everything successfully. Lisa served at 20-15 and
Lan won a good exchange, said, Thats it! Then she won another exchange. Then she got a point
on a net. At 20-18 back and forth went the strong play until Lisa angled a forehand cross-court to
take the match.
The final, as expected, was anticlimacticInsook ($800) three straight, 12, 14, 15, over
Lisa ($600). Mostly the two would push some. And then Lisa would loop one. Lisa got more of her
loops on in the second and third games, but couldnt ever really get close enough to threaten even a
game. Bhushan made few mistakes, and her pick-hits usually went in for winners. Lisa of course did
314

well to come second, but I cant emphasize enough how far ahead of the field Insook isthis was
the 33-year-olds sixth Womens Singles Championship.
The match for 3rd/4th place was between Lan and Diana. Lan, having lost that very tough
match to Lisa, now played another grueling five-gamer. Diana was up 10-6 in the fifth, but Lan,
scoring with powerful forehands, quickly caught up11-all. The match stayed even up to 19-19.
Then Lan erredmissed an easy forehand; then erred againlooped one out. Third place to Diana
($500), fourth to Lan ($400).
In the play-off for 5th/6th, Julie ($350) destroyed Sheila ($300). Julie had to be disappointed
with her showing, but Sheila, given the strong players leading the field ahead of her, fought well to
finish sixth. Takako ($250), rallying from 10-6 down in the fifth, beat Jasmine ($200), who was sick
at this tournament, for 7th place.
Of the four in the Final 12 who didnt win prize money, two of them, Cheryl and Carol, play
only once a week because they dont have clubs conveniently located for them (and Cheryls club is
not very strong). In view of this lack of competition, they didnt fare so badly. Vicky looked like she
had the game to have done better, but she didnt have the positive mental attitude she needed.
[Story was too that neither Vicky nor Jasmine were too happy about their RTP situation.] Kerry
looked outclassed in the Final 12. Im sure the Lake Placid Training Center will be an excellent
opportunity for Cheryl, Carol, Kerry, and Ardith to improve. And itll be great to have more good
women players on the East Coast for a while. Six of the Final 12 women were from California [a
state that provided170 of the 441 tournament entries], three from Minnesota/Wisconsin, one from
Colorado, and two from the East also in Colorado at the Resident Training Program.
Womens Amateur
The 26-woman field in the Womens Amateur was almost identical to the field in the Womens
Singles. Table Tennis in the U.S. is not conducive to producing women pros. Indeed, Coach Li Henan
[see Shazzis article in TTT, Jan.-Feb., 1986, 11] thinks the Resident Training Programs great, wishes it
were year round, but says that our players have to work more on physical conditioning and more on
playing aggressively, these always being highlighted by that which is most important, an unrelenting fighting
spirit.
In this singleelimination event, the top
four seeds, Insook, Julie,
Lan, and Diana, all made it
to the semis. Insook over
a feisty Carol, 19, 17;
Lan, -17, 13, 5, over Lisa;
Diana, 17, 10, over
Cheryl (whod beaten her
previously in the Womens
Singles); and Julie, 12, 14
over Sheila. Lan said she
kept Lisa to a mere 5
points in the third game
Lisa Gee
Lan Vuong
because she played more
aggressively and all her shots went in. (Compare this last rout of a game she won with the 21-18 one
shell lose to Lisa in the Womens semis shell play later.)
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A good quarters result here for Lan, but Shazzi says that Lan did not go to the RTP, and is
not happy about the way players are treated in this country. In the future, shell just play for
herselfand not for the USA. Asked for an example of ill-treatment, she said that one year ago she
was given the Amateur Athlete of the Year award, but the trophy that was supposed to come with it
was delayed time after time. Twelve months later, she still hadnt received it. She also thought that
the USTTA should pay the way of top players to the major tournaments.
In the one semis, not enough of Lans shots went in against Julie who won two straight. And
Insook had no trouble at all with Diana who couldnt seem to get her shots on the table at all. This
set up the first ever meeting between our #1 and #2 players.
We had
a fine contrast
of styles in
the final.
Insook is a
shake-hands
chopper who
pick hits, and
Julie is a
penhold
looper with a
high-toss,
dangerous
U.S. Amateur Runner-up Julie Au
U.S. Amateur Champion Insook Bhushan
serve. In the
first game, Julie got a lot of high service-returns from Insook that she killed for winners. Julie looped
almost everything except high balls, which she put away with well-placed drives that Insook seldom
got back. Insook, however, went from 11-14 down to 19-16 up as her ball control caused Julie to
miss shots. From 19-16 up, Insook first pick-hit a backhand out, then a forehand out, then from
19-18 ran it out. In the second game, Insook did better against Julies servesshe was no longer
pushing back set-ups for Julie to kill. Still, Julie, mostly looping, got to 19 before losing that game
and the match.
After theyd finished, Insook said that she had heard a lot about Julies serves, but that they
werent as bad as shed feared. In the second game, she just concentrated on returning Aus serves
deep and getting ready for the next ball. Insook also said that, just based on this one match, she
thought Julie, whom Coach Li said was handicapped because she wasnt training as much as the
other semifinalists were, didnt have as many threats to her game as, say, He-ja Lee did (a few other
women told me the same thing), and so Insook thought she could handle Julies game. Coach Li
said that Insook had learned such good basic technique in Korea that she could get away with less
practice than the others who needed to train more against chop.
At any rate, the 8-woman National Team Squad is very strong and fairly chosen. (And I think
there is no doubt that the best player won the National title.) In fact, we could substitute several players
who didnt make it and still have a very strong Squad, a fact which reflects the present strength of the
Womens field. I thought it was the best-played Womens Championship that I had ever seen.
Congratulations to all.
We go now to Editor Scott Bakkes beginning coverage of the $11,000 Mens Singles
(TTT, Jan.-Feb., 1986, 6+):
316

Mens Singles (24-Player Stage)

Matches for the 24 players (12 seeded and 12 advancing from Wednesday
preliminary round robin competition [not covered here] were divided into four Groups
of six, with the top three finishers from each Group advancing to the Final 12. Action
began on Thursday morning, and, while top seeds Eric and Scott Boggan, Danny
Seemiller, and Sean ONeill all advanced without a match loss, Eric was pressed to
three games by both 1979 U.S. Champion Attila Malek and U.S. Under 15 titleholder Jimmy
Butler. Jimmy, although unable to clinch the miracle victory against Defending Singles Champion
Eric, convincingly demonstrated he was not to be taken lightly by winning the opening game before
being stopped at 9 in the third.
Jimmys dynamic energy and intelligent
Khoa Nguyen
play carried him through the rest of his Group
matches without a loss, as he snuck by Khoa
Nguyen in a deuce-in-the-third nail-biter, while
also knocking off Malek, Bohdan Dawidowicz,
and Randy Seemiller. Randy, finishing #3, also
advanced, primarily because of his 18-in-the-third
victory over a very disappointed Khoa.
Over in the Danny Seemiller Group,
Danny, the #1 finisher, was extended to three by
Brian Masters who finished #2 after foiling a
three-game threat to him from longtime thorn-in-his-side Dave Sakai. A three-way tie-breaker
would decide the third advancerand this turned out to be Hawaiis Allen Kaichi at the expense of
Sakai and Scott Butler. Scott ambushed Allen in three, but became a deuce-in-the-2nd victim to
Daves slow, deliberate play, while Sakai fell in straight games to Kaichi. Thus, this was the only one
of the four Groups that would advance an unexpected player to the Final 12.
No surprises in the Scott Boggan, Ricky Seemiller, Brandon Olson Groupthese clear
favorites prevailed. Boggan advanced without a loss, though facing an 18-in-the-third scare from
Olson. Brandon, too, was in three-game peril from last seed Carlo Brignardello whod downed
George The Chief Brathwaite and Barry Dattel to finish fourth.
In the last
remaining Group,
Sean stumbled a
couple of times but
secured a first-place
finish. His stumbles?
He was down 2018 in the third to
Perry Schwartzberg
Quang Bui
before winning four
straight points, and
he also had a close call with Quang Bui who, on the way to
finishing second [Bui finished second?...or on the wayhe
was upset (and so didnt finish second?], suffered a heartLim Ming Chui
Photo by
breaking and costly 30-point rating loss to Lim Ming Chui.
Mal Anderson
Ming also barely beat an aging Errol Resek 19 in the third,
317

and then defeated the eventual [unnamed] third-place finisher. That third-place finisher (in point of
time after the Resek win) was, as already stated, Bui? Or was the third-place finisher
Schwartzberg? If Lim-Ming beat both Bui and Schwartzberg (as well as Resek), he would have
come second. But he didnt beat Schwartzberg, for Bakke says Chui didnt advance: If Quang
hadnt recorded a three-game victory over Perry, Lim-Ming, at 37, would have been the oldest
competitor in this years Final 12. Quang couldnt have afforded to lose to both Chui and
Schwartzberghed have been out and Lim Ming in.
So, given that Sean was #1 in the Group, who advanced as #2 and #3? We know Quang
was 2-1 with Perry and presumably with that heartbreaking loss he went three games with Chui,
lost to him 1-2and so finished 3-3. Perrythough it was unstatedmust have beaten Lim Ming
2-0, so he totaled 3-2. And that would leave Chui at 2-1and 0-2a 2-3 record. Which meant this
finish: #1 Sean, #2 Perry, #3 Quang. If Perry had beaten Lim-Ming 2-1, all three would have
finished 3-3 in gamesand surely Scott would have drawn our attention to that. Later, well see
that, according to the Tournament Committees Final 12 draw, Schwartzberg finished 3rd in this
Group, but that, according to Danny, he finished (I believe correctly) second.
[Ill return to Bakkes report on the Mens Singles, which has an historic continuation best saved for
last, but first I want to jump ahead to give you the results of the other events (a maximum of 32
tables were in use). First, the satellite Rating and Age events, then the Mens Amateur, then the
Mens and Mixed Doubles.]
Rating Events:
U-2350s: Final: Lim-Ming Chui d. Carlo
Brignardello, 9, -21, 14. Semis: Chui d. Todd Petersen,
15, 7; Brignardello d. Randy Seemiller, 13, -13, 13. U2250s: Final: Duc Luu d. Brignardello, -18, 16, 18.
Semis: Luu d. Dan Wiig, 16, 13; Brignardello d. Errol
Resek, 16, 14. U-2150s: Final: James Therriault d.
Dhiren Narotam, -20, 23, 18. Semis: Therriault d.
Michael Baltaxe, 14, -18, 16; Narotam d. Houshang
Bozorgzadeh. U-2050s: Final: Narotam d. Therriault,
Dhiren Narotam
n.s. Semis: Narotam d. Ron Von Schimmelman, 12, -12,
16; Therriault d. Bernie Bukiet, 13, -14, 13. U-1950s: Final: Dana Jeffries d. George Kahanu, 7,
9. Semis: Jeffries d. Kim Gilbert, 20, 18; Kahanu d. Roland Schilhab, 21, 14. U-1900 Seniors:
Final: Darrell Fullbright d. Frank Suran, 18, 19. Semis: Fullbright d. James Scott, n.s.; Suran d.
Vince McMenamy, n.s. U-1850s: Final: Chi-Ming Chui d. J. Scott, -16, 14, 16. Semis: Chui d.
Shonie Aki, 13, -19, 19; Scott d. Peter Graves, 15, 11.
U-1750s: Thor Truelson d. McMenamy, 13, -13, 17. Semis: Truelson d. Tryg Truelson,
10, -14, 20; McMenamy d. Dennis Kaminsky, 16, 13. U-1650s: Final: Bruce Maclaine d. William
Freeman, 19, 13. Semis: Maclaine d. Cuong Nguyen, 15, 14; Freeman d. John Baker, 20, -9, 18.
U-1600 Seniors: Final: Edward Voice d. Heinz Kittel, 17, 10. Semis: Voice d. Harry McFarland,
n.s.; Kittel d. Margaret Hzeih. U-1550s: Final: Damir Kadija d. Dan Bryan, 16, 15. Semis: Kadija
d. Rosario Truelson, 16, -20, 17; Bryan d. Chisae Hiraoka, 9, 7. U-3000 Doubles: Final: Karl/
Wayne Schulz d. Keri Herman/Carol Plato, 21, 12. Semis: Schulz/Schulz d. Voice/Dan Kessler,
15, 15; Herman/Plato d. Ken Hoover/Don Nash, 13, -14, 18. U-1450s: Final: Dennis Shapiro d.
John Blake, 10, 16. Semis: Shapiro d. Kadija, 11, -15, 17; Blake d. Eric Owens, 19, 12. U318

1300s: Joseph Kozlowzski d. Howard Lindo, 9, 19. Semis: Kozlowski d. Randy Cohen, 14, 16;
Lindo d. Michael Tealer, 19, 15. U-1100s: Final: Cohen d. Charley Aebersold, -20, 19, 15.
Semis; Cohen d. Hugh Scott, 18, 7; Aebersold d. Robby Johnston, 8, 15.
Age Events
Over 80: 1. Oliver Nicholas. 2. Joel Mallory. 3. Charles
McCallister. 4. Stan Morest. Over 70: Final: Robert Green d. William
Walsh, 14, 11. Semis: Green d. Eugene Wilson, 20, 18; Walsh d. Wing
Lock Koon, 15, 16. Over 60: Final: Michael Scott d. Y.C. Lee, -16, 17,
20. Semis: Scott d. Bill Rapp, 17, 19; Lee d. Fred Borges, 17, -15, 22.
The match
between Seattles
Dr. Michael Scott
and Y.C. Lee,
Director of the
Chinese TTC in
Los Angeles, had a
strange opening
Fred Borges
twist to it (see
Dr. Michael Scott,
Umpire
Y.C. Lee, Over 60
Michaels leprechaun-like article in TTT,
Over 60 Champion
Harry Stern
Runner-up
Jan.-Feb., 1986, 11). Playfully, since they
knew their umpire, N.J.s Harry Stern, was not familiar with such prominent players as Y.C. Lee
and M.J. Scott, they decided to play a trick on him (Scotts idea of course). Each pretended to be
the other one. So when Mr. Stern at the beginning of their match announced Service, Mr. Scott, it
was actually Lee serving. After five-point play, Mr. Stern announced, Service, Mr. Lee, though it was
actually Scott serving. After Mr. Lee (actually Scott) served twice, Mr. Stern called Let! He looked at
Mr. Lee (actually Lee) and said quizzically, You cant be Michael Scott. You must be Lee.
Mr. Lee (actually Mr. Lee) acted very upset and placed his racket down. Then he indignantly
approached Mr. Stern and protested, Why cant I be Michael Scott? Why must I be LEE?Though still
not quite sure of himself, Mr. Stern replied, Because Lee is a Chinese name and you look Chinese.
Yes, Mr. Stern finally got the joke, the more so because Scott and Lee were laughing, and
then Stern was too. Seeing the deuce-in-the-third result of the Scott-Lee 60s final above, you might
have been deceived into thinking theyd been two players in mortal combat, but really they were
more like fun-loving comrades.
Over 30
Over 50: Final: Bukiet d. Boggan, n.s. Semis: Bukiet d. Leon
Champion
Ruderman, n.s.; Boggan d. Richard Puls, n.s. Over 50 Doubles:
Attila
Boggan/Neil Smyth d. Don Chamberlin/Rich Livingston, 17, 18.
Malek
Semis: Boggan/Smyth d. Lee/Ruderman, 16, 19; Chamberlin/
Livingston d. Puls/Mac Horn, 17, 12. Over 40: Dell Sweeris d.
George Brathwaite, 17, 17. Semis: Sweeris d. Von Schimmelman, 5,
16; Brathwaite d. Resek, -14, 16, 21. Over 40 Doubles: Final:
Brathwaite/Bard Brenner d. Sweeris/Gunter Pawlowski, 14, 19.
Semis: Brathwaite/Brenner d. Von Schimmelman/Marty Doss, -19,
21, 15; Sweeris/Pawlowski d. Ichiro Hashimoto/Nick Mintsiveris, 14,
19. Over 30: Final: Malek d. Brathwaite, 13, 17. Semis: Malek d.
Sakai, 13, 17; Brathwaite d.Chui, 11, -22, 16.
319

Hard Rubber: Final: Bozorgzadeh d. Tim Boggan, 19, 12. Semis: Bozorgzadeh d. Chui, 12, 19, 17; Boggan d. Barry Dattel, 15, -15, 15.
Mens Amateur

Brian Masters

Brian Masters and

Randy Seemiller
practice frequently at
the Resident Training
Program in Lake
Placid, so, knowing
one anothers games
so well, its no wonder
when they play a
tournament match it
turns out to be a
crowd pleaser.
Although Randy won
Randy Seemiller
a superb 17, 20
quarters match over Sean ONeill, then a tense down-tothe-wire, -9, 19, 19 semis from Khoa Nguyen, it was Brian,
1983 National Amateur of the Year, who got by Quang Bui in
three, then 17, 17 prevailed over Randy in the final.

Mens Doubles
The left-handed looping team of Brian Masters and Quang Bui, stepping it up a notch from
their runner-up position in 1984, edged the Butler brothers in a -20, 18, 13 final. Scott and Jimmy
had -15, 10, 10 rallied in their semis to rout the Seemiller brothers, Danny and Ricky, Mens
Doubles Champions at the first eight Closeds. In the other semis, Eric Boggan and Sean ONeill,
whom many expected would play the Seemillers in the final, couldnt combine their talents well
enough to thwart Masters and Bui, and so the lefties reigned supreme.
Mixed Doubles
In perhaps the most unbelievable upset of the tournament, six-time U.S. Mixed Doubles
Champions Danny Seemiller and Insook Bhushan dropped a deuce-in-the-3rd final to the talented
Amateur Athletes of the Year, Sean ONeill and Diana Gee. Many agreed that because of nerves
Insook served into the net at deuce; and for the final point Diana whizzed a forehand loop by Danny
who, as well see shortly, could hardly have been at his best at this late stage of play. It was the first
time he and Insook had ever lost to another U.S. team, and many feel that, whether or not they have
each passed their peaks, they are still the ultimate mixed doubles competition. Although they played
shakily, they still had enough control and experience to have repeated for the seventh time in nine
years. But Sean and Diana played admirably for the win and make a strong duo as well. Think these
two pairs will be meeting again?
Final 12 Mens Singles Round Robins
The last set of round robins consisted of two Groups of sixa wise decision by coTournament Directors Dennis Masters and Dan Simon who, along with their helpers, must be
320

congratulated on a job well done. The players were pleased that their request for an alternative to
the tiring two-pronged Mens Team Trials/Mens Singles format used the last two years had been
heard. [Actually, Scotts got this all wrongthe players were NOT pleased by these multiple round
robins that looked to combine National Team Squad (NTS) standings with the Mens Singles.] But
not Dennis or Dan or any of the Final 12 players could foretell the controversy that would occur
under this format, and the shattering effect and consequences it would have on some of the players,
especially Danny Seemiller and Perry Schwartzberg.
In Group A, in an effort to keep nepotism from affecting who made the National Team
Squad, the Boggan brothers played first. Scott managed to rattle Eric 21-15 in the first and almost
won the match in the second, but lost that game 23-21. Despite not playing for weeks at a time last
fall, Scott didnt appear to be too out of practice. But even when he is, hes still one of Erics most
formidable challengers. Third game to Eric, 21-18.
Next, Eric faced a stubborn Brandon Olson who, in their Duneland meeting the month
before, had rallied at the five-game end to give Eric a knockout blow. Again they split games,
moved to the deciding third, but this time Brandon, unable to land several backhand loops because
of an uncooperative net, bowed out at 11.
After surviving these two three-game matches, Eric went on to defeat his other
challengersthrashing Quang Bui 8 and 6; downing Randy Seemiller 19 and 14; and annihilating
Brian Masters 2 and 14. Quang stopped Scott, deuce in the third, for the valued crossover position.
In Group B, immediately after Dannys opening 18-in-the-3rd win over his brother, Ricky,
upsets became the order of the day. Of course, best of three matches gives the lower-rated player a
better chance. The all-out turmoil that occurred, however, resulted from several unexpected
outcomesthough surely through the years youd expect players and spectators to realize that at
Caesars Palace, just as in Rome, the ruling class is not assured of anything.
Perry started off
the surge by thwarting
Danny in a brilliant
three-game display of
Perry
Schwartzberg
wits and tactics. [No,
Perry started off
against Sean.]
Seemiller was
immediately in a
disadvantageous
position while his Lake
Danny Seemiller
Placid training partner
Photo by Robert Compton
and good friend was
jubilant over his rare win against the five-time National Champion.
Danny managed to recover against Jimmy Butler, but how he managed one wonders. Down
11-4 in the third after barely pulling out the second, Danny somehow shook off his depressing loss
to Perry and escaped the menace of Butler.
Schwartzberg, meanwhile, decided to celebrate his victory over Danny by defeating Sean
ONeill as well. This he did, playing incredibly well en route to an -18, 13, 16 win. Could he be this
years new National Champion? He seemed to be playing at the peak of his game. After stunning
the top two seeds, he needed only one more win to advance to the Final Four. And now against
Ricky he had three match points, was three times only one point away from making the semis,
321

when the roof over the playing venue literally caved indealing a crushing not physical but mental
blow to Perry and setting the stage for a tremendous storm of adversity.
No, Perry did not get that last point against Ricky. But he had another chance remaining. Except
that Jimmy Butler was emerging as the new U.S. star at this tournament, and his bristling self-confidence
forced Perry into another crucial lossand this time a (-19, -19) straight-game one. [This match was that
close? Danny also wrote (in his Letter to Disciplinary Chair Wendell Dillon youll soon see) that these
were the scores. But someone else wrote that Schwartzbergs play against Butler was dispirited, and
Perrys own Letter to Dillon (youll also see) would seem to indicate that.
In the meantime, Sean, with only the one loss to Perry, rebounded to finish off both Jimmy
and Allen Kaichi, and, since Danny also downed Allen, he, like Sean, had only one loss. When
Ricky failed to beat either Sean or Jimmy, his three losses would not give him any chance to
advance. Meanwhile, Jimmy, with a 3-2 record, awaited developments.
There
remained two
matches that were
of significance.
Perry had strong
prospects of a 32 record for he
would play Kaichi
and was a 300point favorite.
Danny and Sean,
both with one
loss, were playing
Sean ONeill
their last match
Danny Seemiller
for the #1 spotexcept for one complication. If Danny won,
hed (4-1) finish #1 and Sean (3-2) would finish #2. No
complication there. Why? Because in the three-way (3-2) tie, Seans 3-2 games record was better
than Jimmys 2-2 and Perrys 2-3. If, however, Sean won his match with Danny, hed finish #1and
Danny would be in a three-way (3-2) tie for #2 between
himself, Perry, and Jimmy. In that case, Jimmy would advance
because his 3-2 record was better than Dannys 3-3 or
Perrys 2-3. The one complication was that Perry had not yet
beaten Kaichi,
and should he
Perry
somehow lose
Schwartzberg
to him there
would be a
two-way 3-2
tie, in which
case Danny
would advance
because hed
beaten Jimmy
Allen Kaichi
head-to head.
Photo by Robert Compton
322

Perry, unable to advance in any tie-breaker regardless of who came second, on seeing his
longtime friend Danny in serious trouble near the end of his third game with Sean, had slowed his
match with Kaichi down to a crawl. Then, as he watched Danny lose, he knew the only way he
could help him was by defaulting his own match. That would give him three losses, and now
thered be only a two-way 3-2 tie-breaker, and Danny would advance. But could Perry do that
default?...With extenuating circumstances, he could, and did. [These circumstances, and the
ramifications resulting from them, I, Tim, will describe in detail shortly.]
Perrys default created sheer bedlam and pandemonium as a squall of spectators and
tournament officials, confused, tried to realize how and why this had happened. Obviously, though,
Perrys default that moved not Jimmy but Danny into the Final Four, had placed the entire event in a
terrible light.
For Danny, Jimmy, and Table Tennis, it was a tragedy, but the show did go on. After a
painful resolution on Dannys parta National Singles title here would have given him a $6,000
bonus from his Butterfly sponsorhe realized Jimmy deserved to advance over him, and he
stepped aside to restore justice to what was otherwise referred to as Black Saturday.
If there were modern-day gladiators, then Danny would have to qualify as a heroic one. He
resisted the temptation of accepting the wrong solution to a situation that was extremely stressful to
himself, but even more so to Jimmy. Indeed, Danny, though favored with partners Ricky and
Insook, was so devastated he was unable to win either the Mens or Mixed Doubles that followed.
[USTTA E.C. Players Rep Sheila ODougherty echoed Scott when she said (TTT, Jan.Feb., 1986, 18):
Dannys final decision to drop out of a proposed
play-off match with Jimmy and allow him to move into the
crossovers was based on his feeling that although the situation
was terribly unfair to him it was even more unfair to Jimmy. [The
situation was terribly unfair to Danny? Well, not according to
the questionable format, not if you think Perry should have and
would have beaten Kaichi; but unfair in that the situation
psychically teased and tortured Danny, made him terribly
distraught.] Danny agonized over his decision at length and was
emotionally devastated to the point of stating, This has been the
worst day of my life.
To be U.S. Champion for so many years demands a
Sheila ODougherty
drive and inability to accept defeat that made this decision
especially difficult. I would like to thank Danny for making a very
tough and courageous decision. I feel it was the morally right choice which is needed to retain
confidence in the integrity of players and the validity of table tennis. It should serve as an example to
young players in determining the spirit of competition. Hopefully, Danny will continue to compete
and eventually devote himself to full time coaching, so that he may always be an active force in the
development of table tennis in the United States.]
Crossover Mens Semis
The match between Sean and Quang featured all-out displays of power, and although much
of the play was hard-fought and close, Sean prevailed, 20, 15, 21.
On the next table over, however, in the match between Defending Champion Eric and 14year old phenom Jimmy there was no such predictable result.
323

It was
back at the
78
Nationals,
also at
Caesars,
when the
then 15year-old
Boggan
dominated
Jim Butler
the Junior
Photo by Robert Compton
events on
his way to upsetting Danny Seemiller in the Mens
Singles final. Some witnesses still refer to it as the
wildest final of the 70s.
Here, in this seven-year-later semifinal, Jimmy
was about to pull out the upset of the 80s. As well as
Eric Boggan
Jimmy had been playing, however, the spectators at
these Nationals seemed to believe Erics world-class
experience and deadly anti would carry him over the young Butler to a showdown with Sean. But in
a thrilling, five-game see-saw battle, Jimmy playedat timesout of his mind, and a new,
youngest-ever finalist would oppose ONeill.
Jimmy won the match through superb counter-punching off his backhand, and his ability to
effectively return Erics serves, while also utilizing all parts of his game.
After dropping the first game, he succeeded in coming from behind in the second to win at
deuce. In the third, Jimmyreally feeling the pressurewent for bad, impulsive shots and Eric
cruised to a 21-7 win.
The fourth game saw Jimmy trail 9-12, but then he impressively scored consecutive winners
off Erics anti and, encouraged, moved into a 16-14 lead. Then, however, he carelessly missed his
own serve, and Eric followed with a dead-loop winner. At 17-all, the turning point of the match
occurred when Eric pushed a backhand that rolled along the top of the net (as if having to decide
three or four times whether to go over or not), then fell back on Boggans side of the table.
Jimmy then had the serve and a 19-17 lead, but, surprise, Eric played three spectacular
shots to go up game point. The spectators were breathless. The more so when Jimmy made
one of the best tactical moves of his young career. When Eric served for the match, he moved
to his left to loop follow, but Jimmy, anticipating this, returned the ball to Erics far forehand,
catching him off guard and so won that point, and then two more in succession to send the
match into the fifth.
Now it was all Butler as he unstoppably created leads of 6-1, 9-2, and 12-4 before Eric
scrappily fought back. But Jimmy, up 12-8, was still too relaxed to choke, and he ran out the match
at 11, all the while demonstrating quiet intensity and terrific poise. [My son Erics life was about to
change, and this defeat, after eight straight years as champion or foremost challenger, coupled with
the fact that new rules would prevent him from continuing to play in the Bundesliga, thus leading him
to semi-retirement and a four-year enrollment in and graduation from Long Island University, was
one of the factors I think that contributed to the change.]
324

Mens Final
Despite the
controversial playing
format, Sean and
Jimmy, the two
youngest in the Final
12, indisputably earned,
and so deserved, to be
the stars of this years
10th U.S. Closed
Mens Singles event.
Together they were
responsible for ending,
or at least interrupting,
Danny and Erics
lengthy reign. [Though
Danny and Eric would
continue to have their
triumphs, neither would
ever again be the U.S.
Mens Singles
Champion.]
Unlike Eric,
Sean had been playing
Jimmy frequently and
knew how good he
could be. Jimmy came
from behind to take the
first gamebut Sean
never let him keep pace
afterwards and won the
next three games 11,
10, 18, thus earning the
$1,800 first prize, while
Jimmy got $1,400 for
second. The final
standings were: 3rd
place: Bui ($1,200)
over Eric Boggan
($1,000), 11, 18, 9 [as
well see later, this
match provoked
controversy]; 5th place:
Scott Boggan ($900)
over Brandon Olson
($800), 19, -18, 11,
Sean ONeill on hi sway to beating Jimmy Butler for the U.S. Mens Championship
325

17; 7th place: Rick Seemiller ($700)

over Dan Seemiller ($600), def.; 9th
place: Randy Seemiller ($500) over
Brian Masters ($400), 14, 9, -23, 19;
11th place: Kaichi ($300) over
Schwartzberg ($200), def.
All in all, the 85 U.S.
Nationals will be remembered as the
tournament that contained an ending to
Danny and Erics famous battles and
the emergence of two new stars in Sean
and Jimmy. This years final was clearly
an inspiration to Americas youth, as
both Sean and Jimmy represent great
role models to other dedicated Junior
players.

Sean receives his $1800 check from

co-tournament director Dan Simon

Schwartzbergs Default
This U.S. Nationals will also be remembered for Perry Schwartzbergs default, and for
what he and others had to say about it. I want to give everyone involved a say, but to do that I have
to avoid unnecessary repetition and so need sometimes to condense and summarize.
Ill begin with Dick Evanss Dec. 21 letter [dated Saturday showing
Dicks immediate outrage] to Wendell Dillon, Chair of the USTTA
Disciplinary Committee (copies to the E.C.):
Thank you, Perry Schwartzberg, for a lesson in class, in what
makes our sport great, in what our USTTA President referred to in accepting
his (Dec. 20th) induction into the Hall of Fame as the pursuit of excellence.
Thanks, Perry, for what you tried to do to little Jimmy Butler, to the innocent
Allen Kaichi, and to your friend, Danny Seemiller, who cried in sadness and
humiliation. Thanks, Perry, but no thanks!
I want this letter to be considered a formal request for disciplinary
action. I want Perry Schwartzberg immediately expelled from the Lake
Dick Evans
Placed Training Program and be subjected to any other action the
Disciplinary and Executive Committees find appropriate. I do not want
one penny of USTTA money to support such unsportsmanlike behavior.

Mel Eisner

Evanss Dec. 21st letter to Dillon drew this Jan. 4th response from
E.C. member Mel Eisner whod not been present to see Perrys default
or attend the Meeting that followed:
For you to send a formal request for disciplinary action to the
Disciplinary Chairman, and to include in it an emotional, sarcastic,
vitriolic paragraph designed to incite, does not represent anything that
this country and its traditions are based on. [How about speaking your
mind?] You are attempting to act as prosecutor, judge, jury and hangman
326

under the guise of a formal request.And immediately, please! And you distribute same, i.e. your
emotions, to the E.C. This is not the action of one mature in yearsone who has gained the
knowledge and experience to act with deliberation, with fairness, and with a sense of justice.
All the facts are not yet revealed. There were plenty of witnesseslet their testimony, as
well as that from Perry himself, be the basis for a judgment. If the facts call for severe and lasting
punishmentthen so be it.
But I do not share your approach to what could be a very serious upheaval in the life of an
individual. What is now to be done should be done with great care, great understanding, and as
much information as is humanly possible.
Mels letter in turn prompted a Jan. 12th reply from Evanss friend Rufford Harrison:
I do agree that Dick appears to be attempting to act as prosecutor and judge, but disagree
that he should not have written what he did. He was, after all, there. He does know, or thinks he
knows, what Perry did. And he therefore has the right, in fact the obligation, to write to the
Disciplinary Committee.
So Dick wrote emotionally. I dont consider that as bad of him as you do, since at this stage
it is not his job to be unemotional. At this stage he should let the DC know exactly how he felt
how a spectator felt at the time, and therefore just possibly how othersthe general publiccould
have felt. The DC needs to know that. If no one were emotional about this sort of thing, nothing
would happen.
I fully agree with you that what is done should be done humanly and with understanding. It is
the DCs job to do that.
Harrisons letter then got the following Jan. 20th response from Dick:
I saw the incidentIve seen Perry do similar things in the past. I have a right to express
my feelings and my wishes in the matter. I did so. If that makes me all the things Mel says, so be it.
Ill accept the responsibility.
If I had the authority to make a decision on the matter, I would suspend Perry for a year
with all the penalties such a suspension would involve, including dismissal from all USTTA-funded
programs and eligibility for the 1987 Worlds, and I would look at his attitude and behavior when he
is re-instated with a view toward evaluating him for future USTTA-funded programs. In my opinion
he made a huge mistake and it is symptomatic of Perrys character, which I find deficient.
On Dec. 22, Earl Adams, Umpire for the Saturday Schwartzberg-Kaichi match, wrote the
following Report to U.S. Open Referee Ralph Spratt:
Both Perry and Allen proceeded to their table, at which time Perry requested permission to
leave the area for a drinkhe returned in approximately five minutes. The match then proceeded in a
normal manner, Perry winning the first game easily. At the first game interval, Perry again asked if he could
get a drinkI gave him my permission and he left the area for approximately five minutes.
At the start of the second game, there was a perceivable change in Perrys attitude toward
his match. He instituted a series of delaying actions, toweling, pacing the area, seemingly unable to
get ready for each point. [Hes obviously been stalling from the beginning. Is the possibility of a
default already beginning to form in his mind?] As the second game proceeded to a point through
the game, with Allen ahead 16-14, it was apparent to me that Perry was more interested in the
match on another table between Danny and Sean. I therefore officially warned him to cease his
delaying actions.
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Within several minutes after my warning, the Danny-Sean match concluded. Perry
immediately dumped four or five points allowing Allen to win the second game.
During the interval prior to the start of the second and third game, I observed Allen talking
to Sue Butler, but heard none of the conversation.
The interval lasted about a minute, then, as I was preparing to get the third game underway,
I was approached by Perry, who said: I have to default the match. No reason was given. [Did
Adams ask for one?] I immediately went over to Allen and informed him that he had won the match
by default. I then turned in the match results to the control desk and informed the Tournament
Referee.
On Dec. 30, Tom Baudry of the USTTA Disciplinary Committee responds to the complaint
filed against Schwartzberg by Dick Evans:
The consequences of Perry Schwartzbergs default caused Dan Seemiller to go into the
Final Four and kept out Jim Butler who would have gone in if Perry had won the match. It was
obvious Perry had dumped to help a friend. The Tournament Directors were upset, the Referee was
upset, some players were upset, and a meeting was held to obtain more facts and to determine the
best course of action to take in order to conclude the tournament.
The meeting was conducted by Ralph Spratt, the Tournament Referee, and attended by:
Erich Haring, Asst. Referee; Dennis Master and Dan Simon, Tournament Directors; Tim Boggan,
USTTA President; Earl Adams, Umpire; and Tom Baudry, Member of the USTTA Disciplinary
Committee.
Perry was called in and he stated that the pressure of the Round Robin System was just too
much. He was upset and confused and wanted to help his friend Dan. Perry also mentioned that he
heard suggestions from Sue Butler that Kaichi default the match to Perry. [Referee Spratt felt that
Schwartzberg had panicked at the thought that Kaichi might throw the match, and as a result both
Perry and his best friend Danny had to pay a price for their stupidity. As far as Perrys prize-money
was concerned, he stated that his default moved him to a 12th place position, and that he should be
allowed the $200 hed earned to reach the Final 12 (at the moment, however, Perrys prize money
has been held back).
Dick and Sue Butler came in next and denied [sic] suggesting to Kaichi that he default the
match. They were appalled at the whole situation and hoped that something could be done to rectify
Jim Butlers predicament.
Allen Kaichi was then called in and asked if anyone had
suggested that he default the match. He answered, No, [sic] and
stated that he was confused as to why Perry was stalling. He said he
heard people saying that Perry was going to dump the match
because Danny was losing his match with Sean.
Dan Seemiller was then called in and was visibly shaken and
in tears over the situation. He was asked if he knew beforehand that
Perry would default to help him advance to the semis. He said he
did not. He was irrational due to being so upset, and threatened to
sue if we pulled him out of the tournament and took any action
against Perry. Ralph Spratt calmed him down and then suggested a
playoff match the following [Sunday] morning between Dan and Jim
Butlerthe only parties that stood to gain or lose due to the
default. [Think the Butlers will go for that?] Ralph suggested that
Danny: visibly shaken and in tears
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Dan relax and think it over before giving us his answer. Ralph wanted Dan to volunteer for the
rematch rather than be forced into it. The rematch idea was agreed on by all in the room as the best
possible solution to the immediate problem.
Allen Kaichi was recalled into the room and was asked to be totally honest with us. He then
said that Sue Butler did suggest he default [sic] so that Jim would go into the Final Four. This was
suggested after it was obvious [sic: but see Pam Simons opposite point of view below] that Perry
was going to default. We thanked him for his honesty and concluded the meeting. The proposed
rematch in the morning did not take placeDan defaulted, and Jimmy advanced.
I believe the unsportsmanlike conduct by Perry Schwartzberg cast a cloud on the balance of
the tournament. The finals were quiet due to lack of audience participation; there was no
enthusiasm. It was the Championship of the United States, but something was wrong; it was
lackluster and the tournament had definitely lost something. I want to commend Ralph Spratt for a
difficult job well done. The Tournament Directors did a great job keeping the lid on and things
flowing. I believe the people suffered because of Perrys actions and that he deserves to be
disciplined in some manner.
On Jan. 2, Pam Simon, Dans daughter and a good friend of
Perrys, wrote Disciplinary Chair Dillon:
It has just recently been brought to my attention that Mrs. Butler
has led everyone to believe that she said Kaichi should have defaulted
but she claims she said this after Perry had walked off the table and not
before. I was sitting a few feet away from her and what she says is just
not true.
Perry was standing on the far side of the table ready to start the
third game and Mrs. Butler was standing up and yelling very loudly to
Kaichi, Perry is going to dump. You default! Default now! Kaichi said,
Why?And she said, If Perry dumps that will put Jimmy in third place!
Perry heard all this and then walked off the table, defaulting. I feel that
Pam Simon
Mrs. Butler pressured Perry into taking that action.
If Mrs. Butler had said those things after Perry defaulted, then what was Perrys motive for
walking off the tablehe could have just lost the third game like any other athlete whose heart is not
into winning.
Perry may be viewed as displaying poor sportsmanship, but isnt it also poor sportsmanship
to yell to an athlete to default? Is any disciplinary action going to be taken against Mrs. Butler for
encouraging an athlete to default? [Problem is: both from Perrys dumping action last year and his
suspicious actions this year, Sue Butler has every reason to panic a little and try to protect her own.]
On Jan.6, Bob Partridgeapparently a member of the Disciplinary Committeewrites to
Wendell, says hes inclined to take some disciplinary action, but doesnt know what that should be:
I also feel that Sue Butler should be reprimanded for inserting herself into the situation
and causing Perry to default. [It seems to me its not just Sue whos causing Perry to default in this
manner but troubled Perry himself.]
I talked to Tom Miller who was the Chief Umpire and he gave me some interesting
information: 1. Kaichi beat Schwartzberg in last years Nationals, so the possibility existed that he
could have beaten him without the default [but last year Perry went on to a 2-9 record in the Final
12, showed no competitive drive, and tried to default against Danny and in effect did; whereas from
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the beginning that wasnt the way he was playing this year,
nor was it the way this years match between the two was
playing out, as Perry, with his 300-point rating advantage,
easily won the first game from Kaichi.
2. Eric Boggan dumped to Quang Bui in a match that he
didnt want to play and meant nothing anyway [well, $200].
No one complained about that. [And why, since theres no
parallel and given the circumstances, should anyone have
expected that Eric, having just lost his U.S. title, would want
to play?] 3. Sue Butlers face was contorted with emotion
as she almost insisted that Kaichi default to Perry. 4. The
whole affair is an indictment of this system for selecting a
U.S. Champion, since the actions of a single individual can
prejudice the outcome.
Sue Butler

On Jan.7, Dan Seemiller sent a hand-written letter to the

Disciplinary Committee:
Its my feeling that we players were not prepared well enough with regard to the format
that was used. This format was a highly complex one, with difficult and potentially dangerous
situations forced onto the players. In all my playing days I can never remember being in more
intense, explosive situations.
Combining the Team Trial and National Championship is a big mistake. Too many
possibilities2/3 matches, tiebreakers, matches that pit brother against brother, friend against
friend. I can understand that in a Team Trial some of these circumstances cant be avoided, but why
bring them into the National Championship? [Referee Spratt agreed, urged that in the future the
Mens Championship follow a knock-out format.] The combining of these two competitions, which
ought to be kept separate, was the major factor for the just-ended debacle in Vegas.
Why did it happen?
1) Not enough communication between the top players and the Tournament Committee.
2) So many tie-break possibilities. It was mind-boggling. I was involved in literally at least 30
or 40 different outcomes over the last two rounds. [And what if theres an error or omission
or two in the scoring? Consider the bit of difficulty I had above in trying to sort out the
results of Seans First Stage Group?]
3) Danny, Ricky, and Perry were in the same Final 12 round robin Group of 6. Also, in this
Group there was a mistake causing an imbalance. From the First Stage round robin there
were supposed to be advancing to each Group two #1s, two #2s, and two #3s. But our
Group actually had two #1s, three #2s, and one #3 because Perry, a #2, was erroneously
considered a #3 advancer. Erics Group had 2 #1s, 1 #2, and 3 #3s. These mistakes
created an imbalance in the draw.
4) Of course I have to play Ricky first, then Perry second (Perrys been my practice partner
and roommate for five years). A system that arranges such start-off matchesagainst a
brother and a close friend is unfair to us. Mentally its tough to knock out or be knocked out
by each other. I think the Trials and the U.S. Championships must be separatedtheyre
not the same.
5) I felt the system may have worked if the matches were 3/5. Id asked Dennis Masters for
months about this, but he said there wasnt time to play 3/5s. The 2/3 matches tightened the
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whole processgames, even points would probably come into play. Friendships would be
tested, brothers ready to come to blows.
6) In this system players were rarely on equal terms. Previous matches and their game scores
always gave a positional advantage. When I played Sean, he was already in and I wasnt.
Even though wed both lost one match he had already advanced. Sean had occasion to
remind me of this at crucial stages of our match. Jimmy Butler played my brother when
Ricky was already mathematically eliminated, but Perry and I played him when he was right
in the thick of it and playing like a tiger. There were literally 20 other examples of this. From
a players standpoint such timing is of critical concern.
7) This format has been used in previous World Cup play, often with disastrous and
embarrassing momentsit generates dumping and unsportsmanlike conduct.
8) Mrs. Butlers intervention telling Kaichi to default triggered the fiasco. [A case can be made
that it was Perrys actions, past and present, that triggered it. At the very last U.S. Closed,
leading Danny 1-0 and hanging in there close as the second game came down to the wire,
Perry had been VERY disturbed over a questionable readjusting of the score in Dannys
favor, whereupon he just gave up the match, said he was defaulting. When I intervened, told
him hed have to also default all his remaining round robin matches, he continued, but didnt
play a real point the rest of the match. I was irritated of course and when I asked him for an
explanation, he said, Danny wanted the Championship more than I did. ]
9) Even though Kaichi beat Schwartzberg in last years Team Trials, this years unfinished
match between the two looked to be closer than one might expect. [What might one expect
if Kaichi beat Schwartzberg last year? Whats the logical follow-up to that thought? Surely,
you dont mean to suggest that, though Kaichi was the favorite, Schwartzberg, as expected,
would put up a good fight? The thinking behind the words isnt clear.]
10) Perrys decision to default, I think, was not pre-meditated, but was a frustrated reaction to
what he felt was a hopeless situation. I feel any action taken against Schwartzberg would
not be right.
On Jan. 12, Danny sent a typed letter to the E.C. saying that Perry would like a hearing with
them. He explained how, after Perrys two opening wins against Sean and Danny, his deuce-inthe-third loss, after hed had three match points, hurt him immeasurably and threw Ricky,
Perry, and myself into a whirlwind of possible tie-breakers with two rounds to go [these rounds
to be played the next day]. He had to sleep on it. He didnt sleep much; he was nervous.
The next day he played Jim Butler in a big swing match. He lost 19, 19. Because of this 0-2
loss he was eliminated, had no chance for the crossoverin every tie-breaker situation, he
couldnt make it. His house of cards had fallenhe was out of title contention.
In this state of dejection and a bit confused about the tie-breaks [what was he confused
about?], he now had to play Kaichi. In last years Tryouts Allen had beaten Perry. This year,
regardless of the outcome of their match, Kaichi would finish 6th, so this match meant nothing to
him, little to Perry. [Little to Perry? Thats not true, for if he lost it, there would not be a 3-2
three-way tie with Jimmy advancing but a 3-2 two-way tie with Danny advancing to have a
chance for another U.S. Mens title. And I cant believe Perry was confused about that.]
This match did determine the fate of Jim Butler and myself. Im Perrys coach and longtime
friend. Just being put in this situation frightened Perry. He didnt know how to react, to play.
[Theres the rub. Personal loyalty loomed as large, or larger, to him than doing what was
expected of him as a player in this format.]
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Perry was confused and disoriented at the beginning of this match. [Confused about what?
About whether to try to beat Kaichi obviously.] He did try and won the first game. Allen didnt
seem to be trying too hard, he was weak. Perry lost the second game at 17. He still wanted to
win, but things started to happen. [First and foremost was Perrys second-game loss to Kaichi.]
Mrs. Butler called Kaichi over between games and told him to default to Perry. Apparently she
felt Perry was dumping to help me. Kaichi looked stunned.
Then in an absolutely dazed state, Perry felt that he should default to protect me. This was a
mistake. In his mind he actually thought Kaichi was going to default. Allen did not play hard at
all the first two games. [Then how did he beat Perry at 17 that second game?] So much had
happened to Perry in the past 30 hours that when Mrs. Butler was telling Kaichi to Default!
Default! Perry defaulted.
Later, I called Perry and we discussed whether I should withdraw. [Dick Butler, not
surprisingly, had a talk with Danny about that same subject.] It was a bad systemso unfair
and difficult situations had to occur. I asked Perry, Is there any chance that Kaichi could have
won if you played 100 times? He said, No. I withdrewI protected him the way [sic] he
protected me. [I dont think so.]
Perrys decision was wrong and he is sorry that he did it. Lake Placid is very important to
him; without it he cant continue. Hes given his whole life to table tennis. Please dont take it
away because of this one mistake. Thank you.
Also on Jan. 12th, Perry sends a Letter to Wendell Dillon explaining his side of the story. He
begins by saying, I now see how stupid and unsubstantial my actions actually were, but at the
moment of reckoning my decision-making abilities had been lost. I apologize greatly for my
actions. [In the past, hes apologized publicly for other actions hes done at tournaments.] And I
only hope that no one ever has to go through the same hell that I did.
He emphasizes that he didnt enter the Mens Amateur or the Hard Rubber Singles because
he wanted to concentrate entirely on winning the Mens Singles. If he were to lose in either of
those events, he said, his ego would surely suffer and affect his chances of winning the National
title. Some players can lose and still come back to play (Sean and Jimmy, for example).
However, it takes an important element to help them come backa strong support team. I
possess none. When I lose, in the words of another top player, I feel as if God is blowing his
nose at me.And because of this, my ability to play after losing has never been one of my strong
points. When I lose, please let me leave. I believe that other competitors in other sports (boxing,
tennis, etc.) may feel the same way. But in any case I do believe that my lack of a support group
(or even a coach!) led to my eventual downfall, for the weight that was thrust onto my shoulders
was far too much for me to bear at the time.
After coming out of initial round-robin group, with strange things happening to me, such as
Ray Guillens default to me (after over an hour), and also Quang Buis position being switched
with mine in the final grouping (I was scheduled to play Sean, Danny, and then Ricky). [But
considering how extremely well you played all three of them, its hard to believe these strange
things could have bothered youuntil you failed to advance.]
For some reason, the Tournament Directors split the 6-man round robin into two days play.
I had to sleep on those three match points I lost to Ricky. I did not sleep well. Next day I did
not feel well; wasnt ready to go against Jimmydidnt even like the assigned table. Only
negative thoughts entered my brain. I did not see myself as a master of my destiny, but instead
felt myself being pulled into the current, into the undertowI felt myself drowning. And who
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was there to tell me otherwise? No one, thats who. For even the small support group that I did
have (my coach and friend Dan, his brothers, my Lake Placid teammates) were all busy fighting
their own little wars. Except against Jimmy, Ricky wasnt the fighting tiger I had faced. Rick
went down like a kitten. Why couldnt I have gotten the kitten? Well, you win some and you
lose some. I lost. Again.
And still the System wanted me to play. Without my ego, without my spirit. And play to
destroy the wants of my coach and best friend. Danny had lost to Sean after Sean was already
assured of advancing and Danny wasnt. Not exactly an even fight. And with Seans usual
conduct, Danny got nervous and lost. Only one match left.
Kaichi didnt have any fire, any fight. He was just like me, wondering what we were doing
out there. I won the first and although I lost the second, I felt that I would win the match. I felt
sick. And Im sure that I looked nauseous, for I had never felt so bad, so lousy, so in limbo.
And then I heard Mrs. Butler tell Allen to default. She was trying to protect her son as best
she could. In my muddled mind, egoless, spiritless, I envisioned Allen running to the umpire and
declaring, I default! So feeling sick, no longer feeling up to playing, I, in my infinite wisdom,
beat him to it. Can you believe this? I protected my team. I had just a moment before regretted
taking Danny out, and now I reacted for his needs. It takes more energy to act than to
react.And so, with Mrs. Butlers action, her move, I (being a speed chess and ping-pong
player) reacted, countered, took my shotright or wrong, I reacted.
O course after Danny dropped out
of the tournament (as I actually feel he
maybe should have) and I was defaulted,
I have great sorrow and hurt for those I
could have hurt. [Youre not sure there
were very many?] I apologize to
whomever I hurt either directly or
indirectly. Only I do not apologize to the
System. It is cursed and should be
abolished if table tennis is to be
considered a class sport. The only people
hurt [sic] were myself, Danny, and maybe
in some strange way Eric Boggan. For he
was the only player to lose and not get
Danny Seemiller and Perry Schwartzberg - friends,
another chance. But then again maybe he
come what may
wouldnt really have wanted it.
I, Tim, also did a write-up regarding the default, but, as it would be mostly a repeat of what
youve already read. Ill just add that, after losing that close match to Ricky, Perry began to lose
it, began to suspend himselfuntil finallywhat?more and more he began to feel the
imperfections in the venue, the format, the players, the opposing spectators, and, most of all, in
himself, and literally just did not want to go on.
Though you might agree that others directly or indirectly contributed to Perrys action
(including me, who last year perhaps should have insisted on bringing Perrys give-up not just to
the E.C. but to the Disciplinary Committee)I think that when all is said and done Perrys
actionundeniably wrongis undeniably Perrys responsibilityand that without question he
should be disciplined appropriately.
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Just what appropriately is, taking into consideration this context and Perrys lifelong
contribution to our sport, is not perhaps an easy matter for the Disciplinary Committee to
decide. As Oscar Wilde said long before he got to Reading Gaol, Truth is rarely pure and
never simple.
To bring a close to this chapter, I must say I havent a copy of the Disciplinary Committees
decision as to Perrys punishment, but I know he didnt contest it. He was officially requested
to leave Lake Placid no later than Mar. 23. I also know what Bill Hodge wrote in his Hodge
Podge column (TTT, Mar.-Apr., 1986, 21):
Perry will lose his $200 prize money and will be ineligible for any USTTA or USOTC
support. He will be allowed to participate in any USTTA tournament as an individual but may
not represent the USTTA in any competition. He may also not participate in any training,
coaching, or other activity funded by the USTTA or USOC, but will remain eligible to run for
officeend of story.
Well, almost. Emily Cale pointed out to me that Election candidate Perry (and also Sue
Butler and Dell Sweeris) had not purchased by Jan.1 the membership valid for their entire term
of office as they were supposed to. But Ill see those memberships are taken care of and I dont
anticipate and dont want to consider any nit-picking about their ignorance or negligence
regarding such a rule.
Dick Evans, too, wasnt quite finished with Schwartzberg. At the Mar. 14-16 E.C. Meeting,
hell make a motion that during Schwartzbergs six-month suspension he not be allowed to play
in tournaments even as an individual. Seconded by Bill Hodgebut it failed 3-5-1.
ODougherty moved that Perrys suspension start not May 1 but Mar. 23. This failed 1-8.
Evans moved that Schwartzberg not be allowed to hold E.C. office. When this motion died for
lack of a second, they were done with him.

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Chapter Twenty-Two
1986: Scott Bakkes Interview with U.S. Mens Champion Sean ONeill. 1985: U.S.
Hall of Fame Inductions. 1986: E.C. Positionings. 1986: Rimini World Veterans Tournament.
S.B: What an incredible tournament and
finish it has been for you, Sean. How does
winning the Mens Singles compare with your
other accomplishments in 1985?
Sean: This past year has been a really fulfilling
and exciting one for me in table tennis. I loved
playing again in the NSF [National Sports
Festival] in Baton Rouge and repeating as the
Singles champ and helping the South team to the
Gold. Making the U.S. Mens Team for the first time last year
was even better. But many arent aware of the one
accomplishment this past year that gives me a great deal of
satisfaction. That was winning the National Junior title for the
fifth consecutive time. I think that this is a record that will stand
for some time. [No other boy has ever won the National Junior
title five straight times, but a girl has. U.S. Hall of Famer and
member of the 1957 U.S. World Team, Sharlene Sherri
Sean ONeill
Krizman, won it five straight times from 1953 through 1957,
and would have won it a sixth straight time had not future U.S. Womens Champion and Hall of
Famer Sharon Acton rallied from down 2-0 to beat her in the 1958 U-18 final.]
I have always dreamed of winning the Mens Nationals. But the actual event was different
from anything I had ever imagined. Who would have thought that Jimmy and I would be in the
finals? I had always pictured Eric serving and stomping on the opposite side of the table.
After I beat Quang, and Jimmy came back to down Eric in the semis, I had to change my
finals game plan. Instead of using the crowd to my advantage I had to try to keep them from
pumping Jimmy up. For the first time in my life the 12th man wouldnt be cheering for my victory but
my demise. The underdog is a role that I always thrive on and I hoped that Jimmy wouldnt play
any better than he already had. Fortunately, I had leads most of the games and the crowd wasnt a
major factor. After Jimmys final forehand kill missed its target, I tried to sky like Michael Jordan
up in the air but I was too excited. I just wanted to grab Hank [his friend and practice partner
Chartchai Teekaveerakeet] and hug my parents.
Now that I have had time to savor the tournament outcome, this title is certainly my top
accomplishment. It brings happiness to so many people that have believed in me throughout my
careermy family, Hankster (Chartchai), Stiga and Yasaka, Bill Steinle, Bob Russell, Jeff Steif,
Dave Sakai, Rich Martin, Lisa and Diana Gee, my local Northern Virginia TTC members, Angby
Sportklub in Stockholm, and my girlfriend Elizabethto name a few.
S.B. : How often did you train and practice prior to this U.S. Closed?
Sean: It is embarrassing to admit that my preparation was really lacking compared to the
other competitors. Two weeks before the tournament I had final exams at George Washington
University to prepare for. Hank has his finals at college as well. If we got in three sessions a week at
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the table we were doing good. These sessions were very

intense with involved drills and tons of multi-ball. I did
make an effort to practice my serve for an hour and a
half each day, sometimes even on the warped table in the
dorm basement of my college buddy, Bruce
Horwitz.(Bruces Appelgren forehand serve would
give any 2000 player fits). To strengthen my endurance,
every other day I either rode my bike as fast as possible
for an hour or ran hard for 4 and miles. This also
helped me to focus my attention on one thingthe title.

Mikael Appelgren

S.B.: How well prepared did you feel going

into the tournament?
Sean: Mentallygood. Hank and I talked
ourselves to sleep discussing strategies for my possible
opponents. Brian, Danny, Brandon, Scott Butler, and
Eric are names that joined our dinner-table discussions
constantly. Thanks to Bill Steinle, I have an extensive library of video tapes of myself playing just
about every top U.S. player, so I could study what works and what doesnt. I knew beforehand
who I would play in the initial round robin group too. Watching tapes of the top world players
(Waldner, Lindh, Grubba, and the Chinese) enhanced my technique on serve and serve return, the
two most important aspects of todays game.
S.B.: Who did you fear playing the most and least going
into this U.S. Closed?
Sean: I didnt look beyond my first round robin group initially. I
was concerned about Ray Guillen. He knocked me out two years ago
in the Mens and his style is similar to mine. Both games were close and
I was happy to advance through undefeated to the final 12. I wasnt
worried about Perry and I guess I should have been. Our most recent
matches had been very easy for me, to the point where he always
conceded early.
In our preliminary round robin match I was down 20-18 in the
3rd. But I knew it wasnt over until I shook his hand, and surprised him
as well as myself with a few low percentage shots that scored. I was
lucky. Then in the Trial round robin match he dealt me my first and only
loss. I played as well as I could in those three games and he beat me.
Hank was actually happy with the loss because he knew if I played that
well I would have a chance with Eric. Perry just played out of his mind.
Ray Guillen

S.B.: Has Hank been a major factor behind your success?

Sean: All of the glory I have enjoyed this past year-and-a-half is thanks to Hank. He is a
fantastic coachanyone who has ever had the good fortune of working with him can attest to that.
He is completely unselfish and cares as passionately about my performance as I do. He knows my
capabilities and vulnerabilities and was always on target with his game plan. When I did get into
trouble, it was my execution that was faulty, not his advice. He put all his personal desires aside and
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took a back seat, knowing that he could be doing what I was

being applauded for. How many players can do that? Next year
hell have a chance to compete and hopefully well both be
members of the 87 U.S. World Team.
S.B.: Are you disappointed that 1986 is an off-year for
the World Championships?
Sean: No, because I want Hank as my teammate on our
World Team.
S.B.: Was your victory over Danny at this Closed
similar to your win over him at Duneland?
Sean: Yes, the matches were similar. The points and strategy
were the same. Dannys plan against me has always been to
force me into crazy shots and make me leave the table.(Isnt
that everybodys plan?) My plan was to flip every short serve
possible, and if I couldnt flip it, then drop it short to his
backhand. Once this is accomplished I can stay even with him.
The gigantic problem is
Chartchai Hank Teekaveerakit:
that his serve has so much
A fantastic coach
spin and he is constantly
changing the amount on it and the placement. On my forehand serve
I had a tremendous advantage since the ball is somewhat hidden.
He is forced to guess if it is sidespin, top, heavy chop, and, the most
effective, no spin. Erik Lindh showed me how effective this serve
was against lefties when he missed three out of five outright when I
upset him at the U.S. Open. Before my match with Danny started I
was secure in going into the semifinal, but I didnt want to play Eric,
and my win was Jimmys only chance to squeak into the
crossovers.
After I beat Danny I couldnt wait to tell Jimmy because
the night before in the arcade at Caesars (the security lady had
actually told
us to either
Erik Lindh - is he crying?
insert a
Photo by Mal Anderson
quarter or talk
about ping-pong somewhere else) we worked out
every possible combo for both of us to make it
through. It came down to: We both had to win
our final two matches and Jimmy could not afford
to drop a game. After this easier-said-than-done
discovery we attacked a few space invaders, then
shook on making it to the finals.

Photo by Robert Compton

S.B.: Why do you seem unpredictable

against the Seemillers?
337

Sean: Good question. I guess there are just too many of them. Im always psyched to play
Danny. Hes had an incredible career and a win over him is always well earned.
Next to Scott Butler, I believe that Ricky knows my spin the best. Against Ricky my big
shots began landing for the first time in the tourney. I was getting nervous, thinking that I had
forgotten how to counter-loop off the bounce. I shut him out the first game at 6 and was in control
at the end of the second, but I still hadnt won the final point of the match so I knew it wasnt over.
Ricky is the only person in the U.S. (besides Hank) that wont give up against me no matter what
the score is. Because of that reason I will always have trouble against him.
S.B.: What about Randy?
Sean: Randy played with spirit as he usually
does against me and deserved to win in the Amateurs. I
let a disputed point sidetrack my concentration and I got
into an argument with Danny at the same time.
Afterwards I realized my actions were wrong and I
apologized for them and he said he was out of line too.
As for the point, I believe I won it and so did the
umpire. If I wasnt 100% sure I would have said so,
because to me there is nothing gained and much lost
from a match won by cheating.
S.B.: What was your opinion of the format of
the tournament?
Sean: The format of the tournament was
interesting. It favored any top player (especially one
Randy Seemiller
who could only practice three times a week) because
you could afford up to three losses and still be among
the 24 advancing, and up to two losses in the final 12 and still become the National Champion. You
just had to win the right matches. After each round robin the losses were wiped away and it was a
new ball game for each person who advanced.
Last year with that record of five losses one could not have made the U.S. Team. In my
opinion, all USTTA tournaments are running too many round robins, and people are encouraged
when they see how many losses they can have in one event and still advance. This is not a winners
attitude. I believe the winner of any round robin event would rather have straight elimination. Round
robins take away from the do-or-die excitement and usually become boring in the final stages when
players get tired. Its understandable that whatever format is used there will be complaints. But since
we have such an elaborate rating system I wonder why it is never used for its original purposeto
seed the top players in single elimination events.
S.B.: Eric Boggan said he felt distracted at times as he was playing Jimmy because
you and Quang were playing on the next table. What are your views concerning
simultaneously played semis?
Sean: I know many spectators probably dislike the fact that the semis were run at the same
time, but it didnt bother me. When Im playing I try to concentrate only on one table. Because of
this format the crowd was always able to see a ball in motion and when the points got dull on one
table they could switch and watch a completely different match only 15 feet away.
338

I wish I could have seen the other semis so I could watch the youngest member of the U.S.
Mens team go backhand to backhand against one of the best backhands in the world. Did anyone
get it on video tape? I would love to study the match for next years Closed.
S.B.: Did Erics loss to Jimmy surprise you?
Sean: I didnt count Jimmy out since we did shake on making the finals, but I thought Erics
anti would give him more problems than it did. Jimmy played very smart tactics against Eric. He
forced Eric to open and then hed return the ball with a sharply-angled backhand or a flat forehand
smash crosscourt. Jimmy really made his mark this tournament. In fact, maybe he outgrew his name
and should be known as Jim now. His game is going to keep getting stronger. He already has a killer
instinct and isnt intimidated by anyone. He must be congratulated on the maturity he exhibited
throughout the entire tournament.
S.B.: What are your next goals?
Sean: Im getting ready to leave Jan. 13th
for an extended stay in Sweden. Im really
excited about the prospect of having, for the first
time in my life, only table tennis on my mind and
no academic pressure.
Im going to play in two tournaments in
England with Jimmy this month, and then next
month Ill play with Eric in the German Open.
Most of my time will be spent in Stockholm
playing for Angby and training with Lars
Angy Club Founder/President Nisse Sandberg
Mattsson.
But Ill also go to Falkenberg to train
with Stigas playershopefully for several weeks. Nisse [Nisse Sandberg, Angbys Founder/
President] has entered me in all the Swedish tournaments so Ill have my hands full with the stiff
competition. My goal is to improve my game and get as much experience as possible. Ill be
returning in the middle of May to play in the U.S. Open and the NSF.
For the remainder of the year I want to be a National Champion who will bring credit to the
U.S.. I feel an obligation and responsibility as the National Champion. Im proud and thankful that I
have been blessed with this honor.
S.B.: Well, Im sure our readers will feel blessed with this
interview. Congratulations on your great victories and best of luck in
Sweden.
Sean: Thank you, Scott. Take care and good luck with Topics.
Hall of Fame Inductions
John Read, former Captain of the U.S. World Team,
reports on the 1985 USTTA Hall of Fame Induction
Banquet, held Dec. 20 at Caesars Palace (TTT, Jan.-Feb.,
1986, 28) [see Tim Boggans Hall of Fame Profiles on
the USTTA web site for expanded bios of these
inductees]:
339

John Read

Hall of Fame President

Jimmy McClure, former three-time
World Doubles Champion, introduced
newly elected Hall of Fame Board
Member Mary McIlwain who
delivered a moving invocation.
Following dinner our toastmaster/host
Neil Smyth, the Executive VicePresident of Caesars World, greeted
the inductees, players, fans, and guests
who were present to honor the new
inductees. Steve Isaacson, founder of
the Hall of Fame, was master of
Jimmy McClure and Steve Isaacson
ceremonies and he introduced the new
inducteeswith Neil Smyth presenting a commemorative plaque to each of them.
Those honored
were:
Jimmy Jacobson,
early 1930s Parker
Brothers American
Ping-Pong Association (APPA) National Champion in Singles and Doubles
(honored posthumously).

Barbara
Chaimson
Kaminsky, a
former U.S.
World Team
Member, and
winner of many
U.S. Team in 1963 Worlds Opening Ceremony, R-L: Barbara Kaminsky, Lona Flam,
Bernie Bukiet, Bobby Fields, Dick Miles, and Norby Van de Walle

Donna Chaimson

Championships, having been, for example, the 1962, 1963, and 1966 U.S.
Womens and Mixed Doubles Champion and the 1962 Womens Singles
finalist. Hall of Fame Board Member Donna Chaimson, also a U.S.
Womens and Mixed Doubles Champion and Womens Singles finalist,
delivered a moving tribute to her sister Barbara. I am certain there were
many attendees who were very touched and had to wipe away tears
perhaps one of them being the young womens father, Bob Chaimson,
whom it was good to see again.
340

Eddie Pinner and Cy Sussman were

three times U.S. Mens Doubles Champions,
and the only Americans ever to win the
Swedish Open Doubles Championship when
they defeated the English team of World
Champion Johnny Leach and Ron Craydon.
Pinner, also a tournament bridge player, was
honored posthumously, but Sussman, once
voted Outstanding Player at the U.S. Team
Championships, was very much present at
the Banquet. Said his wife, Of course we
had to drop our previous plans and so attend
because this was such an honor for Cy.
John said, I hadnt seen Cy in over 35
years but this tall, pleasant man looked to me
like he hadnt changed at all. I could still see
him at Herwald Lawrences famed
Broadway courts with that sidespin
backhand of his scoring point after point
over my frustrated self.

Tim Boggan was inducted for his contributions

as USTTA current and past President and E.C. member,
1985 U.S. Over 50 Doubles Champions Neil
Topics Editor, U.S. Team Captain, and his quiet, selfSmyth
and Tim Boggan. Here Neils presenting
effacing manner; not to mention the soft-spoken, nona Hall of Fame plaque to new inductee Tim
controversial image and personality.We love you, Tim.
His Thank You speech, which as one might guess, was somewhat long but well-written, full of life, with
praise for his wife Sally and sons Scott and Eric (champions both). We were treated, in effect, to a brief
autobiography with the usual colorful phraseology and philosophical statements.
Bill Hodge thought he ought to follow up on the
colorful phraseology I closed my speech with, so he
began his Hodge Podge column (TTT, Jan.-Feb., 1986,
23) with Gosh darn it, Scott, Eric, hit the frigging ball!
Hes not quoting me accurately of course as I gave these last words of advice to both my sons, and
then immediately noted with surprise and pleasure the smile at those words that came overof all
peopleJimmy McClure.
Bill cant resist adding another paragraph: The audience of 60 or more had sat
appreciatively through Tims emotional recollections of years past, his tribute to his sons, as well as
341

his sharing of his first trophya small Catholic Youth Organization

(CYO) grade-school cup he displayed for all to seeto share. The
audience had seemed ready to grant Tim a standing ovation, a thank
you for sharing his inner self with us. But the loudness and the
harshness of his final words left the audience
stunnedsilentshocked. It was as if Tim had stripped himself
emotionally before us, and thus being bare he had to cover up. And he
did so with his parting words. Oh, the complexities of the minds of
man.
[Actually, I thought my final
words to my sons were
uninhibitedly affectionate, words
I wanted them to remember me
Bill Hodge
by. What I thought would
surprise those listening to me was never mentioned. It was the
poem I read, Before a Picture of Jesus in My Cell, by the
Carmelite martyr, Father Titus Brandsma, killed July 26,
1942, by lethal injection at Dachau. Why I, a non-believer,
read that poem that had unexpectedly been given to me some
time earlier by a table tennis player I really wasnt much
acquainted with, I dont knowunless, I think now, more
than a quarter of a century later, I was moved that hed given
it to me in such faith as if it were a prayer for me and I ought
to remember that, to highlight it as being noteworthy in my
life.]
E.C. Positionings
In preparation for our Mar. 14-16 Meeting, I send round to the E.C. my Jan.-Feb.
Updates. Here are highlights:
The Immigration authorities denied Christian Lillieroos the Work Permit hes requested.
Sue Butler, who served as liaison for us, followed the same procedure that she had so successfully
for Henan Li Aibut Immigration noted that Christian just didnt have the top-level credentials
necessary. Later [Feb. 14th Update], I met with Stiga owner Berndt Andersson, his associate
Thomas Berner, and Christian Lillieroos whod arrive back in the U.S. Feb. 5th. Christian and Stiga
had been working together, and I was now trying, with the help of status-documents that Christians
lawyer was preparing, to find work for him as a Guest of the Association. Perhaps Stiga would set
up a subsidiary company and employ Christian so we could pay him a consulting fee.
When I heard from Headquarters Emily Cale that as of Jan. 21, 1986 wed lost 264 Adult
members in little over a year, I thought it a real bummer. But it was quickly pointed out to me that,
though wed lost 264 Adult members, that wasnt as bad as Id first thought. Wasnt this
statistically misleading? How many players ever enter tournaments between Dec. 4th and Jan. 21st?
Isnt there usually an upsurge in memberships for the USOTCs and the Nationals, thus
precipitating a decline immediately after these tournaments? And isnt it also possible that some of
these 1984 end-of-the-year players didnt repeat their USOTC and Nationals play so havent seen
the need yet to renew? I wanted to know what the membership was on Jan. 21st, 1985 and
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compare that with this years membershipbut Emily warned again that one had to be careful
about drawing conclusions from partial statistical data: last year about this time we were upping the
membership rates and so got an inordinate number of memberships in from people who wanted to
save $5.
Id wanted Mel as my USTTA Budget Committee Chair but as he was an E.C. member it
was illegal for him to hold the Chair. Dick Evans was appointed in his place. Eisner, however,
remained on the Budget Committee with Evans, ODougherty and Cale.
Tom Odette, ironically at the moment he was resigning his USTTA Insurance Committee
Chair because he couldnt get that I-cant risk-being-sued protective insurance, suddenly did get
that elusive and much desired Director and Officers Liability Insurance for us at an incredible
(prepaid) $3,968 for three years. In other sportsbowling, for instancesuch insurance is costing
300-600% more than before.
More praise for Tom, our USF&G insurance man: he told me PRIVATELY that if we, the
USTTA, work it right, USF&G will pay Bobby Powell $1,000 and the USTTA will pay him not
$1,000
butand we have to insist on this$500. So a settlement was made for $1,500.
In my Jan. 31 Update, I noted that Tournament Chair Dennis Masters and I had just
returned from Miami Beach where, thanks to Denniss long, hard preparatory work and the success
of last years U.S. Open, we have finalized a three-year Miami Beach-USTTA commitment for the
1986-1987-1988 U.S. Opens. With the help of Mel Eisner, our Legal Committee Chair Bob
Hibschweiler, and Denniss firm negotiations, Capital Bank has agreed to a sponsorship of $30,000
(1986), $30,000 (1987), and $35,000 (1988).
Moreover, we have TVESPNfor this years
U.S. Open. Local Education Station (Channel 7)
will also do a separate show. This means that the
Open will be seen nationally, and that there will be
repeated fringe showings.
The Miami Beach Eden Roc Hotel will be
the Tournament Headquarters. Knowing that they
might be the Headquarters for three years, they
have naturally been as cooperative as possible.
Dennis and I think the players will like this oceanbeach hotel. Of course, we also have the
cooperation of the Miami Beach Convention Center
people, the Miami Beach VCA, the Dade County
Metro Board, and all the resources of Capital
Banks President Abel Holtz and his Promotional
Officer Steve Burk.
At the moment, the USTTA is receiving
$65,000 in sponsorship, but please understand that
were trying to change our image, that this is a
Showcase Tournament, and that means we are
paying a great many people to do 100% reliable
work. We expect to make, though, at least $10,000
343

on this tournament. As for what might come from the TV showingwell, that is very likely to
produce a considerable opportunity for us. [These will turn out to be quite optimistic projections.]
Unbelievably, we have 11 U.S. National Umpires ready or not to
take the loomingly imminent ITTF International Umpires Exam and they
still havent received the necessary 1985-87 ITTF Handbooks. Tough to
study the new Rules without those, huh? Handbooks were sent from
England a month agobut they were sent sea mail. Emilys telexed for a
dozen of them to be sent by air.
Ah, but in the July-Aug., 1986 issue of Topics, Its The Law
columnist and USTTA Rules Chairman Mal Anderson reports that the
following USTTA members passed that International Umpire exam:
Robert Woods, Henry (Hank) Widick, Bill Walk, Lyle Thiem, Dan Simon, Tom Miller, Dennis
Foster, Dick Evans, and George Chranewycz.
Mal also made it clear (TTT, May-June,
1986, 13) that Hock Rackets can be used in any
Hock says
USTTA tournament other than the U.S. Open.
this racket
Bernie Hock has paid the required approval fee,
has its uses
and his rackets do meet the USTTA rules. They
do not conform to the ITTF regulations, in that
there is no ITTF logo on the rubber, so they cant
be used in our June U.S. Open, or the World
Veterans Championships June 2-7 in Rimini, Italy.
Since the entire racket is approved, and it isnt
possible to prove that the rubber on it is original
or not, the E.C. has accepted the situation that
any Hock racket is approved.

Former
USTTA
Umpires Chair
Manny Moskowitz
had entered the
Rimini World
Veterans as a player,
but then found out he could be an umpire, so opted for that
role. Apparently the 23 foreign international umpires, and the
17 local ones from Italy were all needed. Manny reported
(TTT, July-Aug., 1986, 33) the 60-table tournament drew
1,100 participants (a record number) from 38 countries.
There were 51 players from Czechoslovakia, 52 from
Denmark, 88 from England, 78 from Finland, 37 from
Manny Moskowitz
Photo by Mal Anderson
France, 218 from Germany, 94 from Italy, 46 from Japan,
and 216 from Sweden. Manny doesnt tell us how many
Americans enteredbut, unfortunately, he said, there were quite a few U.S. players who didnt
344

show [though I dont know why]. Encouraging to Manny, though, was the fact that he had the
honor of carrying the U.S. flag in the Opening Ceremony.
Englands former two-time World Champion Johnny Leach, writing for the Swaythling Club
Internationals Bulletin (Oct., 1986), enjoyed everything about the tournament:
It was my first opportunity to visit and take part in what the press has described as the
worlds biggest table tennis tournament. It was great fun for Johnny to see again old friends and
acquaintances, mingle again with fellow legendary players and officials. As for the matches he saw in
the Over 40 event, he said, they were of similar world-class and much more entertaining than most
I witnessed in the recent European Championships in Prague.
The semifinal Ebby Scholer vs. Valentin Langehegermann and the final between Ebby and Edo
Vecko of Yugoslavia were outstanding; each can only be described as a classic. Ebbys miraculous
backspin defensive play against opponents who mixed hard hitting with subtle drop shots was the vintage
stuff to bring the house down. What marvelous TV these matches would have made!
Im more than ever convincedand everybody I spoke to in Rimini would agreethat if
todays top players all used a standardized bat with a similar sponge-rubber playing surface on
either side of the blade (with a maximum thickness of 1.5 mm.) our sport would very soon emerge
from its current rut and enjoy the full worldwide support it merits. It would attract more TV
coverage which in turn would attract bigger prize money and then youd see everything take off.
Results: Mens Over 40: Final: E. Vecko (YUG) d. E. Scholer (GER), 9, 14. Semis: Vecko
d. P. Hubner (GER), 17, -10, 15; Scholer d. V. Langehegemann (LUX), -20, 14, 19. Mens Over
50: Final: E. Gomolla (GER) d. A. Persson (SWE), 14, 12. Semis: Gomolla d. H. Hirt (GER), 9,
13; Persson d. M. Shreader (ENG), 18, -18, 9. Mens Over 60: Final: Y. Taujita (JAP) d. R.
Etheridge (ENG), -14, 20, 19. Mens Over 70: Final: O. Blomquist (SWE) d. P. Helzer (GER), 6,
14. Mens Over 80: Final: G. Heronymus (SWE) d. G. Milden (SWE), -18, 20, 19.
Ladies Over 40: Final: M. Alexandru (ROM) d. M. Trupkovic (GER), 13, 11. Semis:
Alexandru d. L. Borg (SWE), 12, 14; Trupkovic d. Y. Kanamura (JAP), 17, 15. Ladies Over 50:
Final: K. Ito (JAP) d. K. Skucharska (POL), 8, 17. Ladies Over 60: Final: K. Tasaka (JAP) d. J.
Delay (FRA), 15, 12. Ladies Over 70: Final: Y. Uchida (JAP) d. F. Frauenkron (GER), 18, 14.
Mens Doubles Over 40: Final: Vecko/Nisavic (YUG) d. Martin/Bergmann (GER), 16, -18,
15. Mens Doubles Over 50: Final: Mellstrom/Larsson (SWE) d. DArcy/ Buist (ENG), 20, -18,
15. Mens Doubles Over 60: Final: Forsberg/Lanz (SWE) d. DArcy/Etheridge (ENG), -14, 12,
13. Mens Doubles Over 70: Final: Larsson/Blomquist (SWE) d. Eguchi/Ide (JAP), 14, 16.
Womens Doubles Over 40: Final: Alexandru/Tegner (ROM/SWE) d. Meyerblock/
Kunstein (GER), 18, 19. Womens Doubles Over 50: Final: Omori/Ito (JAP) d. Santifaller/
Skuratowicz (ITA/POL), 10, 16. Womens Doubles Over 60: Final: Takeda/Naksuka (JAP) d.
Neumann/Bihl (USA/GER), -19, 16, 18. [Who is Neumann?] Womens Doubles over 70:
Frauenkron/Sammer (GER) d. Enguall/ Engstrom (SWE), 17, 17.
The U.S. also had an Official (Council Member for North America) at the June 13-14 ITTF
Meeting in Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia. Rufford Harrison reports (TTT, July-Aug., 1986, 14) that, my
letter-writingto the ITTF, the USOCwould go for naught; the U.S. was unable to increase the
Olympic Singles allocation for North America. The matter is closed, said the chairman.As for
the Womens Doubles, the proposed system did not permit any entry from either North America or
Oceania. Two entire continents completely disenfranchised, as it were. Now each continent will
automatically have one pair (through a qualifying procedure the North American pair will either be
all U.S. or all Canadian.)
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As I indicated earlier, the ITTF Council, meeting

here in Dubrovnik, said that players can now accept
money in any tournament without jeopardizing their
Olympic eligibility. Also, to enable players to benefit
from sponsorship, advertisements are allowed on their
clothing. As an illustration, see the ad on the back of this
players shirt.
Our International Chair Gus Kennedy, in his
Kennedys Korner column (TTT, May-June, 1986,
16), emphasizes six argumentative positions currently
raised with regard to making match rallies longer.
Whether any such positions will come to be accepted, he
cant say. However, here they are:
From Australian T.T., Apr., 86
(1) That the same rubber be required on both
sides (but that would be disadvantageous to the defender who needs his bat-twirling weapon to
offset the advantage of the topspin attacker). (2) That the same side be used for all forehand shots,
and the other (different-colored) side for all backhand shots (but thats again disadvantageous to the
defenderand how would the forehand-hitting penholder feel about that?). (3) That the thickness
of the sponge be reduced (too much spins now being imparted; longer rallies are needed). (4) That
the size and weight of the ball be changed (more testing is necessary). (5) That the height of the net
be increased (much study and discussion is needed). (6) That the service rules be changed
(eliminate hidden serves; increase the height of the toss so as to get rid of quick serves; make the
serve used in doubles mandatory in singles; do away with short serves in favor of deep serves so as
to cut down on the serve that has both excessive spin and speed.
It may be that Danny Seemiller is going to have to
make up his mind whether he wants to be a player or a
National Coach. Hes just gone off to Japan (O.K., O.K.,
understandably he has a commitment) and left Jerry Thrasher
in charge of the Lake Placid Program. I feel obligated to
make it known that some people are questioning whether
Danny is the right person to head up the Lake Placid
Program. Attila Malek, for one, is interested in a full-time
Coaching position.
There needs to be more discussion about whether
Bob Tretheway is in total charge of both the Colorado
Springs and Lake Placid RTPs, and about whether the
Program at each site has to parallel one another.
Attila Malek
On Feb. 11th, USTTA Program Director Bob
Tretheway responded to some particulars in my Jan. Update:
Im not against a Lake Placid RTP. But I am outraged with the way the Lake Placid RTP has
been managed, and the lack of fairness to all the players the USTTA has assumed responsibility for. I feel
that payments to players are inappropriate. Are we to assume that because Dadian and Davidson are
each receiving $200 that they are more important than the 2nd and 3rd-place finishers at the Nationals?

346

[Of course not. But you either consider these players to be doing a job, or you dont.
Danny, in charge, does; Bob, in charge, doesnt.]
Ive heard several of the male players comment that they probably wouldnt bother with
the Program if they didnt get a stipend. Should we really be paying players to practice? Is this the
kind of motivation they need to pursue excellence? If it is, then I contend that we dont need them.
[Well, how otherwise would you expect mature players to survive without work? Arent
the two RTPs differentthe one in Colorado Springs for aspiring youth not needing yet to make
their own living; the other for seasoned players who must support themselves? Such disparate
playersschool-minded children and working adults, cannot be treated the same, and whats
considered fair for one group may not be considered fair for the other. Is this something to be
outraged over? Jump ahead to TTT, Apr., 1987, 7, and youll see that John Nguyen (Khoas
father) will urge that the top players be given such an incentive monthly allowance program.
Sue Butlers lines from her Close Up column (TTT, Jan.-Feb, 1986, 26) might suggest
life-differences at the two locations: I asked Lisa and Diana Gee how things were going at the
OTC in Colorado Springs.
The training center is boring at times, said Lisa, because there isnt much to do outside of
practice and school. Also, school is much easier than at home. The twins are taking only four
courses, which means they will not graduate from high school in 87, but will devote more time to
practice and table tennis competition.
Now that Cheryl Daidan is finished with her
education, she wants to really get serious about table tennis
and go for it. Cheryl will be training in Lake Placid along
with Ardith Lonnon, Carol Davidson, and Kerry
Vandaveer.
Cheryls dad, Paul, has a wonderful University of
Waukesha facility with 20 tables where the Wisconsin
Table Tennis Club is practicing. They have about 50
players of which only four (shame on you) are juniors. Paul
is also working to get table tennis into the Badger State
Games. Still, practicing at this home-club cant
compare with the opportunities to improve Cheryl hopes
shell have at Lake Placid.
At our Dec. E.C. Meeting there was a difference
Cheryl Dadian
of opinion as to whether the two Programs should be
identical. Wed come to a consensus that the RTP Committee of Bob, Sheila, Tim, Danny, and
Henan were going to try to resolve the matter. What happened then, though, was that Bob was
replaced as Coaching Chair by Liguowhich threw Bob off the Committee and put Liguo on. I
didnt realize this, and when Bob later pointed it out to me, I agreed that the composition of the
Committee is not satisfactory. One change thats necessary is to put Tretheway back on the
Committee. This, however, which later will be done, may not make matters easy to resolve, for Bob
feels both Programs must function in parity.]
How were the players currently attending selected? Bob, a mite miffed, continues. Three
members of the five-person selection committee were not consulted about the selection. This is in
violation of the USTTAs by-laws, and on any basis is highly suspect. [On any basis? Is Dannys
selection suspect? Who there at the Lake Placid site shouldnt be there? Who not there wants to be
there? Any player over 2400 who wants to be there is there.]
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Right nowtodaywheres the coach? Whos in

Jerry
charge? Are we fulfilling our obligation to the U.S. Olympic
Thrasher
Committee? [Well, we are if you think Danny knows what
hes doing. Jerry Thrasher told me he was administratively in
charge at Lake Placid in Dannys absence. That I accepted
and have held him responsible. Ive spoken to him three
times and to some of the players and have not heard any
complaints. My understanding is that Perry Schwartzberg has
been in charge of the coaching. I agree Danny should have
told us about his intended absence before he left.]
The establishment and management of the Lake
Placid Program has, from day one, not been my
responsibility. [From your point of view, Bob, is that good or
bad? Recall that the initial request for handling the Lake
Placid Program WAS given to you (you were upset when
Dennis Masters made an initiatory move)but when it was obvious that, as time passed, you didnt
want to act, Dennis with my approval acted in your stead to see if it was possible to get a program
going there.]
Bob objects to my Update line, I want both Henan/Liguo and Danny to keep in close
contact with me. Bob asks,You want to be the Program Manager? What you should be saying is,
I want the RTP Program Director to report frequently to me and here is what Id like included in
that report. Your current position does little to enhance a Program Managers position. [Bob, I
want the coaches at both Colorado Springs and Lake Placid to keep in close contact with me, the
President. What you think I should be saying and what I think I should be saying are not always the
same. If you want the coaches to report directly to you, thats o.k. with me. But I want a more
personal approach with these coaches, especially as the Programs get underway.]
Im very interested in helping progressive clubsclubs that hold tournaments and that care
about getting us members. I want Emily to find out just which clubs have held tournaments within the
last year, and which this coming year plan to, or dont. At the moment I dont know what
conclusions to draw from the fact that we have 1,561
members who are at least 40 years old.
I thanked Mel Eisner, whos been the most
productive member of my E.C., for his write-ups of both
the Club Improvement Program and (with Dell Sweeris)
the Elite Table Tennis Development Centers the E.C.
wants to promote (see my Up Front Column, TTT,
Jan.-Feb., 1986, 20; and for specifics May-June, 1986,
26-27).
In its Club Doctor Program, the E.C. wants to
From TTT,
Dec., 1988
provide USTTA-employed Coach/Administrators to go
round to the most deserving clubsthe criteria for
helping said clubs, as suggested by Eisner and others, to
be club membership, especially junior membership, the
clubs receptivity to increasing USTTA membership, the
clubs help in doing coaching or exhibition work in their
local school system, the condition of the club venue
348

itself, the league and tournament programs the club wants to pursue, and, most importantly, the
clubs cooperation in picking up the traveling and housing costs of the visiting Doctor for however
much time both the USTTA and club officials find necessary.
USTTA Clubs/Affiliates Chair Richard Feuerstein suggests the E.C. should approve paying
for local advertising for those clubs that are open seven days a week. Sounds like a good idea to
mecant be more than a handful, can there? Itd be nice to know how many USTTA members
there are in any one club, how many of them actually play in tournaments, and how many of our
members dont belong to any club at all.
Jimmy McClure would later suggest that there ought to be a USTTA Membership Contest
among the clubs, with the two winners receiving prizesone for the highest number of total new
members, another for the best % increase of new members.
In its Centers of Excellence Program, the USTTA plans to begin a matched funding
program for a series of elite table tennis centers. Any club benefitting from this Grant must put up a
MATCHING $10,000 and must pay back over a certain number of years an as yet undetermined
percentage of the Grant money it received. Any interested member-group may submit proposals for
consideration, but of course if the member-groups to be taken seriously certain conditions and
requirements have to be met. For example, the E.C. will be interested in the location of the venue,
its operations, its programs, and its financial situation.
[Rufford Harrison, I might add, thinks that perhaps loaning $1,000 to any new and viable
club would be an incentive to move them towards improvement and possibly excellence. He speaks
of 30 such viable clubs (whats a viable club?)thinks maybe this idea is better than the Sweeris
Grant proposal we passed.]
Any Center of Excellence would have to be open to the public seven days a week, right?
Dell was suggesting at least two nights a week for open play and at least two nights for exclusively
teaching juniors (I question whether such a minimum allotment would work). This to be
supplemented by catch-as-catch-can places to play, which is daft if youre seriously thinking a
YMCA in this day and age is going to help produce National Junior Champions. Y personnel are
going to run what kind of a program with the advice and cooperation of what enthusiasts? Damn,
Dells talking about excellence, about considerable beginning financial help for a serious training/
playing facility, isnt he?
I also think a Center of Excellence, in
Stellan
addition to its own Executive Director, should
Bengtsson
employ year round a charismatic figure such as
Stellan Bengtsson (or a three-month series of
several such figures), for one of the things thats
seriously wrong with club after club in this
country is that there are no role models for the
young to follow, no one with skill and charisma
that they want to be likewhich is just
devastating to any development. Also, the
minimum USTTA membership has to be more
than a mere 45 after three years! And two
tournaments a year is not enough, any more than
ten hours a month for coaching is nearly enough.
Is a Center of Excellence beyond the
imagination?
349

Tretheways not happy that Ive kept urging him to change focus. He says, In Dec., 1984,
Bob is to direct his full attention to membership development. In Sept., 1985, Bob is to direct his
full attention to schools. In Jan., 1985, were back to membership and clubs. Bob says he could
make inroads in these areas if Im not encumbered with the daily activity of office keeping. [What
the hell does he think Emily is doing? Something he can do better?] He cant resist saying, Some
might think Tims We must help the clubs as election-time rhetoric. Does he really think I
deviously say things I dont mean? Does he think Im careful not to offend anyone, say the right
things so as not to lose a potential election vote? Thats a bad-mouthing I whove supported Bob
can do without.
Bob, youre clearly the kind of employee who doesnt want
to be an employee but the boss. Thats one reason why you almost
got fired.[At our Dec. Meeting, the E.C. voted 5-4 that Bob be
retained for one year with no increase in salary.] You profess to want
direction from us when in reality thats the last thing you want.
However, I myself HAVE given you direction. In fact, its the best
direction I could have given you: to use as best you can, with my
continued help, your own natural synthesizing mindall the while
being up front with me as to what youre doing.
I think Ive a right to expect support from Bob and his
friends. But heres what I read in a Letter to the Editor in Topics
Bob Tretheway
(Jan.-Feb., 1986, 18) from J.C. Garnett of Colorado Springs:
Photo by Mal Anderson
Up Front questions about conditions of the USTTA and its
budgets.
Our president said, I bristle when I hear people trying to talk destructive nonsense to me and the
association. He should know that in the business and political world good intentions and hard work that
fail to make the bottom line positive count for only a few kind words when they are replaced.
USTTA members should insist that their elected officers run their organization in a businesslike manner. What has this administration done to prevent momentary cash-flow problems? What
has been done to correct an audit that failed to point out a large cash problem? What kind of logic
was used by our officer to approve the well done but wasteful $9,000 program? What has been
done to correct the loss of a good editor?
How can good businessmen justify spending a very large part of their total budget for an
A-1 relationship with China and Sweden? How many USTTA members believe we have enough
money to buy China and Sweden? I for one believe good friendship has to be earned, not bought.
As a business person Im truly concerned to learn that the USTTA is being directed by a
person who is wary of plans and outlines. Shooting from the hip may be opportunistic but it is
often called snake eyes in a crap game.
Several good seeds have been planted and appear to be worth the money spent. The
coaching program has to be rated at the top for having future growth potential along with the nearer
term expectation of the R.T.P., but neither will produce a crop without good grass-roots local
clubs. Before any of the good things can succeed they must be part of a well-run organization that
has made solid plans to achieve its goals.
The bottom line is vote Tim Boggan out of office.
[This guy is so exasperating. Were LOOKING, or at least I am, for opportunities, for
goals. Find them, then we can have plans to implement themIF my E.C. will fund them.]
350

Given Tretheways Colorado Springs relationship with those vocally working to get me out
of office in my upcoming election-run against Sol Schiff, several of my advisors are convinced (and
its hard for me not to think so too) that Bob is undermining me at the same time that hes obligated
himself to work for my administration.
Bob tells me that, although he couldnt support Schiff, hes
neutral to me. Neutral? While some of those hes been speaking to in
or out of his office at Headquarters are expressing an anti-Boggan point
of view that it would seem had to be encouraged or at least easily
tolerated by Bob? And with at least some information supplied by Bob?
And if Bob couldnt support Schiff, wouldnt you think he could
convince a close friend not to send out to all the clubs a Get Tim Boggan
Out of Office letter, and so get Sol Schiff in?
Bah, you know how it is with advisor figures, they always try to
watch out for you; they think that one could smile and smile and be a
Sol Schiff
damn-ed villain, that one could say hes neutral when really hes not.
On March 3rd, Tretheway replies:
It bothers me greatly that your pattern of treating an anti-Tretheway mind-set prior to each
E.C. Meeting is continuing. [Mgod, you dont seem to realize how close you came to getting
firedI didnt lead any anti-Tretheway faction; if I hadnt voted for you, you would have been
fired.] This undermining Tim is bullshit. I know its your nature to be controversial, a whirlwind of
activity, but Ive always thought of you as fair. Tim, you are not being fair with me.
As a professional program administrator it is my position that I can take no position in an
election other than one of neutrality. Tim, when you were running last time for President I took the
same stand. At one time shortly after the election that you won by 88 votes you said to me
something to the effect, Thank God you didnt get votes for Sol. [But this time writers from
Colorado Springs closely allied to you, who can be read as surrogate figures for neutral you, are,
in effect, urging votes for Schiff.]
Bob says, I didnt see Garnetts letter prior to it being submitted to Topics. I did see Norm
Silvers prior to it being mailed. Nothing I could say was going to keep him from sending the letter. I
did, for the sake of keeping the letter honest, edit out some erroneous information. [This guy, Norm
Silver (and more on him shortly), is ready to hand out erroneous information so intense is his desire
to get me out of office. Maybe youre interested in being honest, but he sure isnt.]
Norm Silver has never liked you. He didnt like you before I came to the Springs. He
doesnt like you now. And he wont like you after I leave the Springs. Much the same for John
Garnett. These two men are the leaders of the Colorado Springs TTC and have been for a number
of years. They have taken, as should be expected, a position against you in this election. [Well, I
certainly wouldnt have expected them to take such a virulent position. But obviously their dislike of
me isnt simply predicated on recent events.]
At any event, Bob insists, They have not been encouraged by me to respond so. [In
improving Garnetts letter attacking me, a letter that needed much improvement, youre being
neutral? Can you really believe that?]
Regarding the Club Doctor Program, Tretheway suggests, in part playfully, that some
clubs might suggest a USTTA Budget Director Program or a National Tournament Director
Program or a Sponsorship Doctor Program. Actually, he asks, what can clubs expect [and here
he sounds suspiciously like Garnett or Silver] from a parent organization that has had no real budget
351

for a year, operates with a deficit, and fails to recognize most of the basic tenants of good business
management?
Its doubtful, says Bob, that the clubs in Colorado Springs would take advantage of any
Club Doctor Program. They dont see themselves as being sick.
To which I responded, I dont know what Norm Silvers club is like at the momentbut I
know what it was like when I was there. No question but that he needed a Club Doctor that night.
(Give a kiss to Norm for me, will you?) And poor Carol Plato who ran that last tournament I played
in, in Denvershe lost enough money to make me, as President, feel I had to give her back the $50
I won.
Still, Carol had been the bearer of good news toohad been happy to tell
everyone that
For the second time in my four-year table tennis career I have obtained a
Corporate Sponsorship. My sponsor allocates a certain dollar amount to be used
for travel expenses to tournaments and training camps. In turn, I wear their name and logo on shirts,
athletic bags, etc.
I am employed by American Medical International (AMI), my current sponsor. AMI is a
health management corporation with health care facilities all over the country. Most recently AMI
has supported amateur athletes by providing urgent care services for the 1984 L.A. Olympic
Games. They also contributed to the Olympic Torch Run.
How did I obtain a sponsor? Simply by asking. I collected letters of recommendation from
coaches and club presidents. I wrote a letter stating my goals and ambitions and indicated I needed
financial assistance in order to reach my goals. AMIs response was very positive. Although my
allocation will not cover all my expenses, it was enough to get me to the U.S. Open and U.S.
Nationals. And certainly it is more than I had before I asked.
The company you approach does not have to be a fitness or health company. My last
sponsor was an oil corporation.
If you are a serious, dedicated table tennis enthusiast like myself, I suggest you try obtaining
a corporate sponsor. The worst that can happen is a denial. The least that will happen is the respect
the company will have for you for trying. Who knows? They just might help you out.
Stan Robens and others continue to talk to me of the importance of an Executive Director.
Our amateurs (theyre getting better?)Bob T, Dennis, Tim, Jay, Mel, Jimmy, whomeverjust
cant do what one single highly qualified professional could do. So, says Stan, why not put an ad in
the Wall Street Journal, or go to a special Employment Agency that finds you Executive types? Of
course this alternative would demand excellent judgment on our part. But an Executive Director
would take away from some of us much of our daily workand daily satisfaction. And, oh yeah, it
would cost money.
Continuing to prepare for our March E.C. Meeting, I kept up my Updates. Ill close this
chapter with the one I sent out on Feb. 26:
In his Discussions with Einstein on Epistemological Problems In Atomic Physics (Atomic
Physics and Human Knowledge (New York, 1958), Niels Bohr comments that
In the Institute in Copenhagen, where through these years a number of young physicists
from various countries came together for discussions, we used, when in trouble, often to comfort
ourselves withthe old saying of the two kinds of truth. To the one kind belong statements so
352

simple and clear that the opposite assertion obviously could not be defended. The other kind, the
so-called deep truths, are statements in which the opposite also contains deep truth. Now, the
development in a new field will usually pass through stages in which chaos becomes gradually
replaced by order; but[it is in] the intermediate stage where deep truth prevails that the work is
really exciting and inspires the imagination.
One E.C. member whos spoken to me doesnt understand my opposite deep truth
reaction to Jimmys recent letter to the Board members of our Foundation. He doesnt understand
what I mean by Jimmys tone.
Let me explain. By tone I mean:
they [the USTTA] are broke and in debt over $30,000was brokewas again
broke and owed $35,000again broke and owes nearly $30,000will not solve the
problemis spending nearly $100,000 more than they are taking inwill continue to have a
financial problemthis grave problem.
If ever there were a point of view expressedand in an unrelenting tone, this is it.
Weve a problem alrightand a serious one.
I think, at this developing time in our T.T. History, Jimmys restrictive point of view is
wrongand one thats dangerously negative in that it clearly seeks to lock up the remaining
$600,000 coming to us. Courage for the rich, says Hemingway, one of my favorite writers,
means invading their principal. That, too, has a toneone that puts forward a sophisticated pun, a
tough, ironic view.
I not only think Jimmys presentation to the Board wrong, I think it unfairlike Garnett and
Silvers. It doesnt suggest in any way the conscientious struggle Ive made, youve made, most of
you, to make improvements in the Association and the initial outlaytheres no way round itsuch
improvements must COST. What the hell does the Membership expect us to do with the windfall
money? Bury it? Function in any meaningful initial way with just the interest income? Impossible. We
have to ACT. We cannot ACT without money and manpower, error and wastefulness. Thats a
deep truth.
It seems to me that I move, rationally, more towards Jimmys deep truth, that I cant
spend money, than Jimmy moves towards me, my Im sure historically sound view. It seems to me
that the deep truth of Money, Credit and Banking is wrongfully taking precedence over the deeper
truth of Moving the Sport. How can we spend now to make what improvements? Thats how I
think everyone should be thinking. But youre not. It would be alright with some of you if we just
closed down shop until the beginning of another fiscal year.
Cant you see that we must keep fighting now for meaningful change? Bring me my bow of
burning gold,/Bring me my arrows of desire./I shall not rest from Mental Fight. Do none of you
have poetry in your soul?
Cant you see the danger? Youll adopt a safe holding patternand slowly a creeping
paralysis will set in. Its already happening. E.C. Meetings will be reduced to two a year. E.C.
members, silent for half a year, will look over their Agenda just prior to coming to the Meeting.
Schiff will say to Harrison, Whats next?
Jesus! Dont you understand why youve got me as a leader? O.K., youre volunteers. But
what can I do? I mean what I sayI always have, I always will. I told you: if Jimmys is the only
representative view other than mine on the E.C., if all others remain silent in affirmation, we might as
well save more money and everybody can cash in his March-Meeting plane tickets for whatever
theyre worth.

353

Chapter Twenty-Three
1986: U.S. Players Abroad. 1986: European Tournaments.
New
National Champion
Sean ONeill left the
U.S. on Jan. 13th and
arrived in Sweden,
where we learn (TTT,
Feb., 1986, 19) that,
with South Koreas
Asian Junior Champion Yoo Nam
Kyu leading the way, Nisse
Sandbergs Angby Club has sole
possession of first place in the
League. With only one round left to
play, the point standings were: Angby
(20), Falkenberg (18), Sparvagen
(17), Soderhamn (17), Malmo (14),
Rekord (11), Halmstad (5), Boo
[Hoo] (2).

South Koreas Yoo Nam Kyu

Photo by South Korean TTA

The English Cleveland Open was held in mid-Jan (Sean and Jimmy Butler participated, but
Ive no record of their play). Here are the highlight results (World Table Tennis, Apr., 1986):
Mens Singles: Desmond Douglas, the 30-year-old lefthander with the unique close-to-thetable style, won the Mens Singles over top-seed Yoshihito Miyazaki, the Japanese #1, 20, 11. The
Jamaican-born Douglas, unbeaten in nine years of domestic competition [can that be true?], again
showed the fast reflexes that have made him one of the worlds most dangerous players. Semis:
Douglas over Juzo Nukazuka, 15, 16; Miyazaki over Englands Skylet Andrew, 15, 15. Womens
Singles: Japan got a balancing title with Kyoko Uchiyamas 17, 18 victory over Englands Joy
Grundy. Semis: Uchiyama over Englands Jackie Bellinger, 17, 12; Grundy over Englands Alison
Gordon.
Other results: Butterfly Mens Team: Final: Japan over England, 3-1. Semis: Japan over
Denmark, 3-1; England over Bath Toyota, 3-0. Butterfly Womens Team: England over Canada, 30. Semis: England over Leicester, 3-1; Canada over Omega Reading, 3-2. Mens Doubles:
Miyazaki/Nukazuka over Douglas/Alan Cooke, 20, 17. Womens Doubles: Grundy/Gordon over
Jackie/Lisa Bellinger.
Sue Butler reports (TTT, Mar.-Apr., 1986, 24) on the Jan. 23-25 English
Open at Brighton, which Sean and Jimmy Butler, after participating at the Cleveland
County Open, competed in. Heres Sue on being briefed by Jimmy whom the E.C.,
because of the potential he showed at the 85 Closed, awarded up to $1,500 for
European training and competition this season.
Although Swedens top juniorsWrana, Von Scheele, and Andersson
participated, none of them in this strong field advanced to the quarters.
354

Sean ONeill
Photo by Steve Peterka

Germanys Ralf Wosik

Sean had a very tough first-round match with

German veteran Ralf Wosik and lost, 13, 14, 17. [In the
eight years from 1981 through 1988, Wosiks record in the German National Championships was
an impressive 2nd four times and 3rd four times.]
Jim never did find his name posted correctly and had to settle for being listed as Scott or
John Butler everywhere he went. John Butler lost to Canadas Horatio Pintea, 14, 13, 15 in the
first round.
Jim thinks that he and a young German chopper were probably the weakest players in the
field. According to Jim, Everyone was over 2400.
Both ONeill and Butler claim they gained a great deal of valuable experience. Neither said
they felt intimidated, but just got a better idea of what was necessary for them to improve.
The Jan. 25, 1986 Toronto Star reported Pinteas win over Butler, then indicated the earlyround losses of the other Canadians: Frances Patrick Birocheau d. Joe Ng, 8, 15, 22;
Czechoslovakias Renata Kasalova d. Thanh Mach, 10, 14, 12; and Mariann Domonkos, after
downing Switzerlands Monica Frey, 18, 19, 14, lost to West Germanys Olga Nemes, -11, -19,
17, -16. A Profile of Joe Ng (OTTA Update, Feb.-Mar., 1986, 20) tells us, Ng, 22, leads the
double life of an academic and a world-class athlete. A psychology major and Chinese Studies
(Mandarin) minor, Ng trains three hours a day, every day of the week when hes not studying. His
three sparring partners are Richard Chin, Derek Wall, and Peter Ng. Training consists of practice in
all aspects of the game, aerobics, short sprints, and following a strict diet based on vegetables, fruit,
and carbohydrates. The Canadians, he acknowledges, are no match for the World #1 Chinese.
The Chinese have no physiological advantage, like black athletes in track and field, he says, they
just have more players to choose from.
Ontarios TTA Update (Feb.-Mar., 1986, 18) says that Pintea will stay in England for an
additional six weeks to play in the English National League, and to attend two training camps of the
English National Team.. His stay will be sponsored by the Ormsby Club and Butterfly.
Heres the unsigned write-up of this English Open that appeared in Chinas April, 1986
Table Tennis World:
Zoran Kalinic, the man who has been out of the limelight since deciding to take an
Economics degree, returned to the centre of the stage by winning the Triumph Adler English Open at
Brighton in January.
Kalinic, the tallest man on the circuit and one of the most characteristic with his left-handed
penholder grip, has been missed. But the likeable Yugoslav, who once made the last four in the
From Tischtennis, Dec., 1985

355

World Cup, soon showed he was back in form with wins over the dangerous Frenchman Patrick
Birocheau, the West German Jorg Rosskopf, the hard-hitting Japanese #1 Yoshihito Miyazaki, and
the Russian Andrei Mazunov in the final.
Russias great
strength in
womens
events was
underlined
when they
provided both
singles finalists
without
recourse to the
trio of Popova,
Antonian, and
Bulatova,
whod taken
them to the
1984 title.
Elena Kovtun
Russias English Open Womens Runner-up
Russias English Open Womens Winner won this
Anita Zacharian
Elena Kovtun
Womens event
Photo by Tennistavolo, 1988
over her
teammate Anita Zacharian in five defensive-minded games.
[Didnt USAs Sean and Jimmy play in the Teams? If not, why not?] Mens Team Results:
First Round: Switzerland (3)Wales (1); Czechoslovakia (3)Finland (0); West Germany (3)
Denmark (0). Second Round: England I (3)Holland (1); Sweden (3)Switzerland (0);
Czechoslovakia (3)Ireland (1); Japan (3)Canada (1); Yugoslavia (3)West Germany (0);
Russia (3)Scotland (0); France (3)Poland (2); England II w/o Hungary. Quarters: England I
(3)Sweden (0); England II (3)France (0); Japan (3)Czechoslovakia (0); Yugoslavia (3)
Russia (2). Semis: England I (3)Japan (1): Douglas over Miyazaki, 19, 12; Nukazuka Over Carl
Prean, 17, 12; Douglas/Prean over Miyazaki/Nukazuka, 19, 14; Prean over Miyazaki, 9, 11;
Yugoslavia (3)England II (0): Ilija Lupulescu over Skylet Andrew, 14, 16; Zoran Primorac over
Alan Cooke, 20, 8; Lupulescu/Primorac over Cooke/Andrew. FINAL: Yugoslavia (3)England I
(2): Prean over Kalinic, -22, 13, 14; Douglas over Lupulescu, 15, 10; Kalinic/Lupulescu over
Douglas/Prean, 9, 13; Kalinic over Douglas, 16, 19; Lupulescu over Prean, 14, 22.
Womens Team Results: First Round: Sweden (3)England I (0); Yugoslavia (3)Austria
(0); Switzerland (3)Wales (0). Second Round: Japan (3)Switzerland (0); Denmark (3)
Ireland (0); Czechoslovakia (3)Canada (0); Russia (3)Sweden (1); Yugoslavia (3)Holland
(3: sic); Finland (3)Scotland (1); France (3)West Germany (0). Quarters: England II (3)
France (1); Yugoslavia (3)Finland (1); Japan (3)Denmark (0); Czechoslovakia (3)Russia
(2). Semis: Yugoslavia (3)England II (2); Japan (3)Czechoslovakia (1) [sic: see FINAL that
followsthe Czechs have advanced there]. FINAL: Czechoslovakia (3)Yugoslavia (1): Renata
Kasalova (CZE) over Vesna Ojstersek, 16, 18; Branka Batinic (YUGO) over Alena Safarova, -17,
15, 16; Kasalova/ Safarova over Batinic/Ojstersek, 19, 15; Kasalova over Batinic, 22, 10).

356

In winning the Euro Junior Top 12, played in January in

Mudling, Vladimir Marinkevich signaled the continuing revival of
Russias mens table tennis; meanwhile, womens winner,
Hungarys Csilla Batorfi, continues to show shes one of the most
exciting young topspin-makers in the womens game (World
Table Tennis, April, 1986). Results: MEN: 1. Vladimir
Marinkevich (URS), 9-2. 2. Jorg Rosskopf (GER), 9-2. 3.
Jean-Michel Saive (BEL). 4. Jean-Philippe Gatien (FRA). 5.
Mats Andersson (SWE). 6. Thomas Von Scheele (SWE). 7.
Piotr Javurek (CZE). 8. Dimitrij Mazunov (URS). 9. Milan
Grman (CZE). 10. Matthew Syed (ENG). 11. Frank Boute
(HOL). 12. Manfred Gsodam (AUT). WOMEN: 1. Csilla
Batorfi (HUN), 11-0. 2. E. Timina (URS), 9-2. 3. Otilia Badescu
(ROM), 9-2. 4. Renata Kasalova (CZE). 5. Kinga Lohr
(ROM). 6. Krisztina Nagy (HUN). 7. Katja Nolten (GER). 8.
Elena Komrakova (URS). 9. Daniela Davidkova (CZE). 10.
Emilia Ciosu (ROM). 11. Ilka Rothnine (GER).

Europe anTop Twelve Winner Jan-Ove Waldner

The European Top Twelve, for both men

European Top Twelve Runner-Up Desmond Douglas
and women, was played (World Table Tennis, Apr.,
From Deutschland Grand Prix Program, 1983
1986) in February at Sodertalje, Sweden.
Defending Mens Champion Andrzej Grubba had to retire with a stomach ailment after two days
but the final was exciting enough without him. It brought together the only two (10-0) undefeated
players in the tournament, so whoever would win would be one of those very few players ever to
remain unbeaten throughout the event. MENS: 1. Waldner over 2. Douglas, 19, 21, -8, 15. 3.
Lindh. 4. Carlsson. 5. Kucharski. 6. Persson [Swedes took 4 of the top 6 positions]. 7. Mazunov.
8. Grubba. 9. Klampar. 10. Pansky. 11. Prean. 12. Secretin.
357

In
the
Womens,
going into
the last
round,
Germanys
Nemes (91) met
Russias
Bulatova
(8-2), and,
surprise, the
Russian
won, 19,
10, and,
Russias European Champion Fliura Bulatova
Germanys European Runner-Up
From Butterfly TT Report, 7/84
Olga Nemes
since both
had a 9-2
record, the Russian woman prevailed in a head-to-head tie-breaker. WOMENS: 1. Bulatova. 2.
Nemes. 3. Guergueltcheva. 4. Batinic. 5. Vriesekoop. 6. Alboiu. 7. Batorfi. 8. Hrachova. 9. Olah.
10. Kloppenburg. 11. Urban. 12. Perkucin.
As for Eric Boggan in Germany, his Steinhagen Club has started off its Bundesliga season
with a 4-1 record. Eric is 7-1 individually, losing only to Swedish Champ Erik Lindh. This will be
Boggans last season for Steinhagen, since in 1986 the Bundesliga is going to insist that all players
reside in Germany and that no foreign player can be a member of a National Teamrequirements
not to Erics liking.
Erics fellow USA Team member Ricky Seemiller
(SPIN, Oct., 1985, back cover) recently toured Saudi Arabia
and Malaysia, coaching on behalf of the U.S. Sports Academy
of Mobile, Alabama. During his month-long stay in Saudi
Arabia, Ricky experienced Ramadan, a daily fast that is rigidly
followed from sunrise to sunset during the ninth month of the
Islamic calendar, which is also called Ramadan. Since daytime
activity is suspended, Seemiller ended up coaching from sunset
to dawn. From Saudi Arabia Ricky flew to Malaysia for
coaching work in the cities of Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, and
Brunei.
Erics sponsor Schildkrot will write a belated Feb. 10,
1986 letter to Eric in which hes taken to task for insufficient
participation, almost no participation, last July in a training camp
for the Saudi Arabian National Team that his contract demands.
As a result, Schildkrot wants to fine him thousands of deutsche
marks. How that turned out, I dont know, have no record of.

Ricky Seemiller:
Not too much coaching, please
Photo by Robert Compton

358

What I do
have (TTT,
Mar.-Apr.,
Schildkrots
1986, 19) is at
Eric Boggan
least some
record of
Erics
participation in
the Feb. 1316, 1986
German
Open. In
Mens
Germanys Peter Stellwag
Doubles, he and Sean were up 1-0 and at match point in the
second against Swedens Jan-Ove Waldner and Erik Lindh. (Oh, what a win that would have
been!) In Singles, Sean scored an upset over the Swiss Champion. But it was Eric who deservedly
got more attention. After beating Miller, Pedersen, and Sevchenko, Eric reached the quarters
against four-time German National Champion Peter Stellwag. The match was televised throughout
Germany. I was paranoid over the TV, said Eric, and blew the first two games. Im weary of
attention and must learn to relax. But from down 2-0 he rallied to win and advanced to the semis
where he eventually lost in five (after being up 2-1 and at deuce in the fourth) to Zoran Kalinic. I
lost really because of sheer exhaustionI was a sick pup, he said.
German Open Results: Mens Team: Poland over Sweden, 3-1. Womens Team: Germany
over Russia, 3-1. Mens Singles: Final: Waldner over Kalinic, -18, 15, 17, 15. Semis: Waldner
over Grubba, -19, 14, -18, 18, 17. Semis: Kalinic over Boggan, 20, -13, -13, 20, 8. Womens
Singles: Bulatova over Nemes, 16, 16, 17. Semis: Bulatova over Vriesekoop, -18, 12, 17, 14;
Nemes over Hrachova, -18, 14, -11, 13, 10. Mens Doubles: Carlsson/Persson over Waldner/
Lindh, -20, 16, 9. Womens Doubles: Nemes/Nolten over Hoshino/Kitsukawa, -18, 17, 11. Mixed
Doubles: Kalinic/Guerguelcheva over Grubba/Vriesekoop, 14, 8.
Two weeks after the German Open, Eric would be at the Feb. 24-25 Israeli Open in Tel
Aviv, and had something to write home about. Heres his To Israel and Back (TTT, Mar.-Apr.,
1986, 28):
The El Al terminal in the very impressive Frankfurt Airport was off in the corner and was
patrolled by men with guns.
I waited in a line and then spread my things on a table. Soon I underwent an incredible
interrogation process. Where are you coming from?...What are you doing here?...Who sent you
these tickets?...How did you come in contact with these people?...What if nobody meets you at the
Tel Aviv Airport?
I respected my interrogators concern, their fears, but I looked at em straight, without
hesitation. Well, I said, why would they send me tickets for their tournament and not meet me?
They checked my alarm clock, which I couldnt open. Then how did you get the batteries
in?
I guess its all necessary because of the bombings. They wanted to be sure everything I had
was mine, my personal belongings. Still, they seemed to take so much pleasure in checking out my
stamped passport.Paranoia will destroy you.
359

Charles Bubba Butler

Photo by Mal Anderson

Once settled into the hotel in Tel Aviv, I woke the next
morning at 7:30 and was as ready as Id ever be for the Team
matches that were to begin the Israeli Open.
Charles Bubba Butler and I, playing for USA, beat
Romania, 3-1, (I won two). But we lost to England, who played
Andrew and Stokes, 3-2 (I took two). And we lost to Israel, 32 (Charles fought hard, but couldnt win).
Later, I had
dinner with 1975
U.S. Open Junior
Champion Dror
Polak of the Israeli
team, while Bubba,
a great independent
man, ate with our
interpreter, a chic
thing in a nice
compact package

with ribbons and the works.

Met Rabbi Mike Bush [former member of the
U.S. World Team], now studying at a yeshiva in
Dror Polak
Mike Bush
Photo by Leonard Kahn
Jerusalem. Hes so positive and glowing, and his
glaring faults are diminishing every day. What a nice
philosopher he was. He looks at peoples good qualities and doesnt try to take advantage or get away
with things. Convinced? He wants to live in Jerusalem forever. Wants to get married this summer.
My friend Bubba reminds me that Im young, that I should have energy and be raring to go.
He tells me my game is explosive. Nice complimentraises my confidence.

Jorg Rosskopf
Eric Boggan

Photo by Barnabas Honeczy

I won the Israeli Open Singles. Beat Rosskopf, Thomas, and two Swedes ranked in the 20s.
What a craving I had to lose though, so I could see the city in the spring-like sun.
But I persevered. Theyd spent money to get me there, so I gave my very best and am
proud I won.
360

Three of my Bundesliga teammates would be leaving our Steinhagen club to play in the
German Closed, and since it would be a relatively quiet time I figured I had a chance to persuade
Rudiger [Rudiger Lamm, the Steinhagen owner, Erics boss] to let me stay in Israel a couple more
days. But he refused and so I had no time to see the city, which left me heartbroken. What a pity
precisely the downer I expected. I asked politely, but he said No. At least I tried.
Got on the plane back to Germany the next morning (after four hours sleep!). Later I had to
search feverishly for Charless car in the Frankfurt Airport lot, finally found it, and cruised back to
Steinhagen to play that evening. It was hectic and insanebut the Alps from the plane were
magnifique.
I met so many good, warm-hearted, and caring people in Israel, and have been invited
back. I love their pubs and pita bread, their openness, and their willingness to take a back seat to
tourists. They like Americans a lot. Israel has so many cultures which blend together harmoniously.
Id love to see city after city instead of just the playing halland eventually I willmaybe sometime
soon.
Doug Stewart (Australian Table Tennis,
Aug., 1986, 22), Scott Bakke (TTT, May-June,
1986, 37), and especially Bas den Breejen (World
Table Tennis, July-Aug., 1986, 4-7) give us
coverage of the 15th European Championships,
played in Prague Apr. 5-13.
Bas had nothing but positive words to say
about the Championships, held in the beautiful Hala
Sportovni CSTV. The tournament was very well
attended. The time-scheduling was good and the
organization perfect. The hotels for the players and
Doug Stewart
Bas den Breejen
umpires were within walking distance from the hall,
SCI Bulletin
which was easy to reach by public transport. Another happy conclusion is that
sport had a victory over politics because the Czech authorities agreed to allow Olga Nemes, the
player whod defected from Romania to West Germany, to return to Saarbrucken after the
tournament.
Doug says, The new European Womens Champion, Csilla Batorfi, 18, is typical of the
rising young women players, all of whom are putting a lot of spin into their game. Also, theyre very
much into practicing serviceas much as an hour a day according to one commentatorand it
certainly pays off.
In the Womens Team matches, Hungary, advancing from a three-way tie with
Czechoslovakia and 3rd-place France (whom Hungary beat 3-0), defeated USSR 3-2with one
account saying Batorfi won both her singles matches, and another [more accurately with photo
support] extolling the fifth match decider between Hungarys Edit Urban and USSRs Elena Kovtun.
With the tie tied 2-2 in this match of the evening, as the experienced Bas Den Breejen put it,
Urban prevailed.
In pre-quarters rounds of the Womens Singles, Batorfi, said Bas,had a lot of trouble with
Swedens Barbra Wiktorsson, who was leading her in the fifth. But Batorfi was encouraged by her
father, her trainer, whod yelled from amongst the spectators, Come on, Csillaand she did,
taking the fifth at 18. English Open winner Kovtun lost in four to Bulgarias Daniella
Guergueltcheva. And West Germanys Olga Nemes, the #1 seed, fell to Englands Lisa Bellinger
361

whod earlier 3-1 stopped Yugoslav seed Branka Batinic. Bellinger had also beaten Nemes in the
English Open, and Nemes was seeking revenge. But Bellinger, the new Jill Hammersley with her
defence, took the first two games, then lost the third and fourth. Olga then tried everything to win
the match, standing close to the table, placing the ball very sharply and accurately. But Bellinger
returned ball after ball and finally won out after five long games. Also, another favorite, Marie
Hrachova, lost in five to 16-year-old Otilia Badescu of Romania. This was a great surprise,
especially for the Czech fans.
In the
quarters, said Bas,
continuing with his
description of the
matches, the
Netherlands Bettine
Vriesekoop, trying
to win her second
Europeans (though
shed been injured
in earlier Team
play), had no
chance against the
various high services
and the fighting spirit
of Batorfi. After
Csilla Batorfi
Bettine Vriesekoop
losing 3-1,
Vriesekoop said, I
have had a bad season. I was not really playing but working. My motivation was not 100% and I
had problems with my concentration.
Womens late-round results: Final: Batorfi d. Russias Bulatova, -11, 15, 14, 11. Semis:
Batorfi d. Englands Lisa Bellinger, -19, 15, 18, 16; Bulatova d. Romanias Otilia Badescu, 12, -23,
18, 18. In the final, beginning with the second game, Batorfi took the initiative against Bulatova. She
interchanged defence and attack in such a way that Bulatova didnt know how to answer with her
special defence.
Batorfi said, I was in a dream. All that I had learned and was trained to do, I used, and all
that I did was correct. Some days before the Singles, wed won the Team title, and I think because
of that I was relaxed. If I lost against Bulatova, no problem. I already had a gold medal, and that
was splendid.
Womens Doubles: Final: Bulatova/Kovtun d. Hrachova/Vriesekoop, -13, 16, 12. Semis:
Bulatova/Kovtun d. Swedens Marie Svensson/BarbraWitkorsson, 12, 8; Hrachova/Vriesekoop d.
Romanias Marie Albiou/Badescu, 8, 13. Mixed Doubles: Final: Czechoslovakias Hrachova/
Pansky d. Yugoslavias Perkucin/Lupulesku, 18, 9. Semis: Hrachova/Pansky d. Batinic/Surbek, 14,
19; Perkucin/Lupulesku d. Safarova/Orlowski, 18, 15.
Batorfi for the Women (along with Andrzej Grubba for the Men) was also the winner of this
years Joola Trophy. Bakke says, Its awarded to the player with the best score in Team
competition at the World and European Championshipsthe suggestion being that such a player
fights more for his team, his country, than for himself individually. Centered in the accompanying
Joola photo with Batorfi and Grubba is the European Table Tennis Union President Mihovil
362

Kapetanic, formerly in the Yugoslav diplomatic service posted in London, Rangoon, Tokyo, and
Prague, and now with the Council of the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris.
In the
Mens Team,
Sweden won its
eighth European
Team
Championship
by steamrolling
over
Czechoslovakia
5-1 in the
Andrzej Grubba
semis and
France 5-0 in the final. Though France was the 1984 winner,
they werent expected to beat Poland in the semis but they 5-4
did. England and Belgium advanced to the First Category;
Norway and Austria were relegated to the Second.
In the Mens Singles, Swedens 19-year-old rising star,
Jorgen Person, surprised Polands Grubba, 19, 14, 18, in the
semis, then went on in the final to -19, 10, 16, 19 knock off
Grubbas teammate Leszek Kucharski whod advanced over
Swedens Ulf Tickan Carlsson, 20, 20. -20, 7. European 12
Jorgen Persson
From Tennistavolo, Mar/Apr 87
winner Jan-Ove Waldner didnt reach the quarterswas
beaten three straight by the USSRs Andrei Mazunov. The best
quarters match was the one between the two Swedes, Lindh and Persson. Lindh was leading 2-1
and had double match-point, 20-18, in the fourthbut didnt win. Bas quoted Perssons coach as
saying, In our training camps, Jorgen was the best. He produced open play, full of surprises, with
high speed in the attack and much consistency without being nervous.
Persson thus follows his countrymen Mikael Appelgren and Ulf Bengtsson as the European
Mens Champion. Bakke says that Appelgren reportedly practiced only eight days [why so little?]
before this Championship. After downing Tibor Klampar in the eighths, he bowed out to Grubba in
the quarters. Ulf Bengtsson recently decided to play exclusively in the Swedish League, and so his
vacancy on the national team gave Persson the chance to prove himself.
The Swedes were certainly all powerful here in Pragueclearly theyre the strongest
country in Europe. They not only won the Mens Team, but four of them fought it out in the Mens
Doubleswith Lindh/Waldner stopping current World Champions Appelgren/Carlsson, 13, -13,
16. Yugoslav teams challenged, but went down in the semis: Lindh/Waldner over 1983 World
Champions Surbek/Kalinic, 15, 16, and Appelgren/Carlsson over Lupulesku/Primorac, 18, 19.
Bakke has this description of Persson, who plays with and endorses Donic equipment:
Besides having played at the specialized table tennis high school in Falkenberg for two
years (1981-83), Jorgen just finished his first year, playing for Dusseldorf, in the professional
German Bundesliga.
The right-handed 61 Swede plays very aggressively, and many feel he currently possesses
the best backhand in the world. His forehand loop, with an almost perfectly straight arm, is also
powerful but he never lets the ball drop beyond its highest point. His favorite shot is a backhand
363

smash, particularly after the first ball in a rally is played deep to his forehand. [Is this correct? Isnt that
awkward? Why isnt he hitting his forehand?] That technique is commonly a weakness among most
players, but for him its his strength. [Huh? How many players are using this techniquethats a
weakness?] Opponents who play alternate shots deep to his corners usually lose the point [why?].
[In the paragraph immediately above, Scott seems to be trying to parrot something hes
read or heard somewhere, and I dont think he fully understands what that was.]
Better we go to a Profile of Persson that appeared in Canadas Table Tennis Technical
(Jan., 1987) [a reprinting from The Table Tennis Magazine, Sept., 86] written by West
Germanys Rahul Nelson:
In October, 1985, Jorgen Persson appeared on a television network in Luxembourg. At
the end of the interview he was asked if he had a girlfriend in Sweden or in West Germany. I
thought I could not reply bluntly that I hadnt one, so I told those gathered around that I was looking
for oneand all of them started to laugh. Hearing such words from a young table tennis star, one is
hardly aware of the deeper significance of such a joking statement.
Indeed, Jorgen Persson, standing in the spotlight as early as age 14 when he was European
Champion among the Cadets, is now paying the price for success by losing his youth. He
abandoned school in Dec., 1983a table tennis school at Falkenberg. Half a year on, in June,
1984, I would have graduated from that school. But it is impossible to advance in table tennis and to
attend school simultaneously.
Success soon proved that he was right. Immediately after abandoning school, Jorgen made
good showings at the European Youth Championships, the Yugoslav International, and the Swedish
National Championships. However, he took the cake with his performance at the latest European
Championships in Prague, staying unbeaten during the Team event and taking the title in the Singles.
Thus, a great dream of his came true.
Until now I have kept on moving upward in table tennis, without a plateau point. But it will
come for sure, sooner or later. But for the time being I am fiercely motivated and I have great fun
when playing table tennis.
The sports career of Jorgen began quite early. In our house in the residential area there was
a table down in the hobby-room and I played there every day. When I was seven, a coach came
from Halmstadt looking for young talent. He asked me if I was going to attend workouts at
Halmstadt BTKand I nodded.
The man from Halmstadt had good eyesight. Very soon Persson was considered in Sweden
as heir-apparent to Jan-Ove Waldner. By winning the European Singles, his career must have
reached an interim summit. However, his development as a player is far from being finished. No
doubt his footwork can be boosted further. His serves are not so dangerous as you could suppose
from Europe #1. On the other hand, Jorgen has an excellent feeling for the ball, safe topspins with
the forehand and very hard backhand hits. It was this backhand that left experts gasping for breath,
saying there has been no comparable backhand in Europe so far. It was due to these hard backhand
hits, partly from hopeless situations, that he could carry off the European Champions cup in Prague.
Besides, he is young and hungry for success.
The change to the Bundesliga, where he became the successor to Desmond Douglas with
Borussia, proved another motivation for the young Swede. In his first season in the Bundesliga, he
succeeded in helping Borussia win the Club Team Championshipalthough he had to play prominent
rivals of other clubs like Jan-Ove Waldner, Andrzej Grubba, Erik Lindh, and Mikael Appelgren. The
drawback of his engagement with Borussia, however, is the tiresome travelingthis is a big burden upon him.
364

Really, I live in Falkenberg, but I do not spend more time than a week per month there.
The rest of the time I spend either in training camps, along with the Swedish National Team, or at
tournaments and championships. Traveling is the worst part of pro life. You spend too much time on
planes and trains and this time lessens your time for workouts.I have no time left for a girlfriend.
Sometimes in winter, when darkness enfolds you in the afternoon, you would like to have somebody
on your side to talk tobut it is perhaps best to stay alone.
A deprived star, is he? He looks bright and sound. Sport has opened him ways he would
probably never ever have had without table tennis. His father worked 25 years in a factory; his
mother is a housewife. He is the eldest of three brothers. My parents never involved themselves in
my sport affairsthey just understood that I had abandoned school. So later it was very good for
me to see them being so much interested in my sports career.

Stellan Bengtsson

Financially, the change to being so much in Germany proved

very useful for the young Swede since in his country one cannot make much money playing table
tennis. Although we are #1 in Europe and #2 in the world, the Swedish television seldom shows
table tennis. Hence, there are no sponsors,and no money either. One reason for this may be that we
won too many titles in earlier years. Hans Alser, Kjell Johansson, and Stellan Bengtsson have
spoiled the fans a bit. You can do sheer unbelievable things at the tablethe people in Sweden will
take them for granted.
In the summer, the off-season time of table tennis, Jorgen goes in for tennis; in the winter, he
prefers another hobby: music. It was Stellan Bengtsson who introduced him to this sphere of
entertainment. The former World Champion is a diehard music fan, having as many as 5,000 LPs.
Besides his musical influence, Stellan played a kind of step-father for Jorgen in table tennis. He helped
me a lot. Stellan has many ideas about sport. Both of them do workouts together in Falkenberg. Both Ulf
Carlsson and Erik Lindh are regular practice partners for Jorgen and he for them.
What is Perssons aim in sports? My first aim was, of course, to become European
Champion. I think that secretly everyone thinks of the world titlebut thats a hard nut. Everything
must be OK in order in order to become World Champion; you must have a good day, good luck,
and an optimum performanceperhaps then you will succeed some day.
[No perhaps about it for Jorgen. In 1991, in Chiba City, Japan, by defeating his illustrious
teammate and Defending Champion Jan-Ove Waldner, Persson will become the World Champion.]
365

Chapter Twenty-Four
1986: Jan./Feb./Mar. Tournaments.
Results of the Sacramento Winter Open, played Jan. 4-5 at Table Tennis World: Open
Singles: Final: James Therriault d. Tuan Le, 12, -18, 18, -11, 17. Semis: Therriault d. Jeff Feri, -15,
14, 17, 20; Le d. Anthony Streutker, 14, 13, 19. U-2150s: Final: Le d. Streutker, -16, 15, 20, 17.
Semis: Le d. Tom Miller, 13, 16; Streutker d. Morgan Lehman, 9, 15. U-2000s: Final: two-wing
attacker Lehman d. Robbie Sorenson, 14, 15, 19. Semis: Lehman d. Miller, 19, 15; Sorenson d.
Streutker, -24, 17, 13. U-1850s: Final: Feri d. Sorenson, 16, -16, 20. Semis: Feri d. Al Sente, 16,
13; Sorenson d. James Ritz, -8, 16, 16. U-1700s: Final: James Goodwin d. Minh Do, -17, 23, 16, 18, 16. Semis: Goodwin d. Eric Hamilton, -15, 9, 14; Do d. Tara Arai, 14, 17. Juniors: Final
R.R.: 1. David Levine, 4-0 (d. Tilvan, 11, -18, 11; d. Vo, 7, 13; d. W. Gillespie, 5, 3; d. J. Gillespie,
2, 2. 2. Dan Tilvan, 3-1 (d. Vo, 15, 14; d. W. Gillespie, 6, 7; d. J. Gillespie, 5, 14). 3. Tri Vo, 2-2
(d. W. Gillespie, 3, 3; d. J. Gillespie, 16, 7). 4. Wayne Gillespie, 1-3 (d. J. Gillespie, 17, -17, 16).
5. Jason Gillespie, 0-4. [Not much of a turnout, especially considering the effort Jeffs made with
Juniors.]
Winners at the Jan. 11 Columbus,
Ohio Winter Open: Open Singles:
Final R.R. 1. Rick Seemiller (d.
Randy Seemiller, 15, 15, 18; d.
Powell, 15, 13, 10; d. Veillette, 15,
15, 15). 2. Randy Seemiller, 2-1
(d. Powell, -18, 12, 14; d. Veillette,
17, 15, 16. [No results for 3rd/4th.]
Open Doubles: Seemillers d. Frank
Sexton/Veillette, 12, 18. Semis:
Seemillers d. John Kizer/Jay
Nelson, 12, 13; Sexton/ Veillette d.
Don Prouty/Steve Miller, 19, 18.
Frank Sexton
Mike Veillette
As: Final:
Po Ning Lee d. Chip Coulter, 14, -18,
17, 14, 16. Semis: Lee d. Ho-Chi Dao, -14, 16, 19; Coulter d. Mike
Joelson, 15, -18, 3. Bs: Final: Dan Walk d. Ross Sanders, 22, 20. Semis:
Walk d. Nelson, -18, 18, 16; Sanders d. Bill Walk, 10,-15, 18. Seniors:
Final: Lou Radzeli d. B. Walk, -18, -19, 17, 15, 16. Semis: Radzeli d.
Charles Keaton, 15, 7; Walk d. Aaron Edmonds, 16, 11.
The Toronto Star (Jan. 19, 1986) reports that Johnny Ng, 13,
scored a stunning victory at the Eastern Canada Open last night at Etobicoke
Olympium. Ng, who defeated the #1 seed Chris Chu in the final, is the
youngest player ever to win the event. Coach Zoran Kosanovic, who has been
working with Ng for two years, was pleased with the performance and is
expecting Ng to be a member of the 1988 Canadian Olympic team. Results
follow (OTTA Update, Feb.-Mar., 1986, 5):
366

Lou Radzeli

Mens: Final: Johnny Ng d. Chris Chu, -12, 15, 17.

Canadas
Semis: Ng d. Patrick Leveille, 14, 18; Chu d. Andrew
Helene Bedard
Giblon, 11, 12. Womens: 1. Helene Bedard. 2. Daiva
Photo by
Mariann
Koperski. 3. Christine Paquet. Mens Doubles: Final: Giblon/
Domonkos
Peter Ng d. Richard Chin/?. U-2000s: Final: Wayne Chan d.
Mariusz Czajor, 12, -12, 15. U-1800s: Final: Tuong Bui d.
Fred Taylor, 23, 16. U-1600s: Final: Paul Hang d. Quang
Dieu, 23-21 in the 3rd. U-1400s: Final: Angelo Gambrelis d.
Dieu, 13, 18. U-1200s: Final: Gambrelis d. Peter Kosek, 13,
18. U-1000s: Final: Jacob Kaedishevitz d. Pat Kassabian, 9,
10. U-800s: Final: Mike Pridham d. Saul Ferreira, n.s.
Seniors: Final: Paul Pesthy d. Bill Cheng, 12, 22. Junior Men:
Final: P. Ng d. Trung Le, 12, 10. Boys U-14: Final: J. Ng d.
Gia Ly, 13, -14, 20. Boys U-12 Final: Nelson Ferreira d.
Mike Benardino, 17, 12. Junior Miss: Final: Paquet d. Michelle Qurrey, 15, 12. Girls U-14: Final:
Euching Lin d. Marcia McLennan, 7, 9.

Westfield, N.J.
honors Ron
Herman at
their Jan. 1112 Open.
Results: Open
Singles: Final:
Rey Domingo
d. George
George Brathwaite
Brathwaite,
Photo by Mal Anderson
Rey Domingo
10, 5, 18.
Semis:
Domingo d. Horatio Pintea, 19, 19, 16; Brathwaite d. Fu-lap Lee, -12,
11, -19, 12, 16. Quarters: Domingo d. Jeff Steif, 11, 9, -15, 16; Pintea
d. John Shareshian, 14, 21, 11; Brathwaite d. Steven Mok, 19, 15, -18,
16; Lee d. Scott Boggan, -19, 21, 12, 17. Open Doubles: Final:
Domingo/S. Boggan d. Brathwaite/Bill Sharpe, 15, 20. Semis: Domingo/
Boggan d. George Cameron/John Sisti, 20, -19, 17; Brathwaite/Sharpe
d. Pintea/Barry Dattel, 15, 20. U-2250: Final: Lee d. John Andrade, 13,
14, 10. Semis: Lee d. Jien Liu, 18, -22, 18; Andrade d. Man L. Shum,
16, -9, 19. U-2050: Final: Sisti d. Andrade, -16, 9, 15, 18, after John
had advanced by Joe Tanzer, 18 in the 3rd. U-1950: Stuart Kroll d. Doon
Wong, 20, -18, 8, then Basil Boyce, 9, 19. U-1850: Final: John Locke d.
John Sisti
George Hellerman, -18, 19, 8. Semis: Locke d. Boyce, -14, 19, 7;
Hellerman d. George Holz, -19, 20, 13. U-1750: Final: Don Miller d.
Michael Coke, -18, 17, 19.U-3500 Doubles: Final: Wai Wong/Miller d. Coke/R. Lewis, 20, -19, 17.
U-3200 Doubles: Final: Craig Sental/Alex Rabinovich d. Coke/Alston Spence, 17. -16, 9. Over 40:
Final: Brathwaite d. Tim Boggan, 19, 18. Over 40 As: Final: Anthony Gegelys d. Andy Pelshe, 12, 19.
367

Bob Partridge tells us (TTT, Mar. 30, 1986, 30) that four teams representing three
countries competed in the $10,000 Vietnamese New Years Invitational Festival, held Feb. 1-2 at
the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose, CA. Event sponsor was the Coalition of
Nationalist Vietnamese Organizations of America.
Canada (Joe Ng, Alain Bourbonnais, and Bao Nguyen) took first-place in the round robin
competition. USA II (Danny, Ricky, and Randy Seemiller) came second. The VietnameseAmerican team (Quang Bui, Khoa Nguyen, and Duc Luu) finished third. And USA I (Scott
Boggan, Brandon Olson, and Jimmy Butler) were a winless fourth.
Tournament Director John Son
Nguyen succeeded in attracting many
spectators, who went wild over the play
of the North American stars. Most of the
Vietnamese crowd pulled for Khoa as he
defeated Danny, and for Quang in his
dramatic comeback win over Joe Ng.
An unexpected highlight was the
appearance of California Governor
George Deukmejian (shown in suit
playing penhold). The Governor stayed
to shake hands with all the players, and
then watched an exhibition. One can be
sure there will be great attendance again
next year.
Tournament Host John Son and Camnguyet Nguyen

Results of the Feb. 8 Columbus,

Ohio Open: Open Singles: 1. Ricky
Seemiller, 3-0 (d. Powell, 13, 19, 19; d.
Cordell, -12, 19, 19, 20; d. John
Elwood, 19, 19, 12). 2. Bob Powell, 2-1
(d. Cordell, -18, 16, -16, 18, 6; d.
Elwood, 20, 14, 11). Bob Cordell, 1-2
(d. Elwood, 12, 7, 14). 4. John Elwood,
CA Governoer George Deukmejian (L) and John Son Nguyen 0-3. As: Final: Mike Walk d. Clark Yeh,
14,-18, 15, then
Elwood, 15, 10. Bs: Final: Yeh d. Jay Nelson, 14, 18, -18, 16, after Jay had
survived Ray Stewart, 18, -13, 19. Cs: Rick Claravall d. Rick Hardy, 13, 16, 15, -17, 14. Semis: Claravall d. Jim Fulks, 18, -22, 8; Hardy d. Todd
Jackson, -20, 4, 20. Ds: Bob Watkins d. Tony Wenner, -17, 10, 19, -18, 9,
after Tony had downed Macy Block, -17, 25, 19. Es: Eric Maskey d.
Wayne Bickel, -9, 17, 16, 17.
Anderson College President Dr. Mark Hopkins reports on the
Sullivan Buick South Carolina Open, held Feb. 28 at the Albany Athletic
Center on the Anderson College campus:
Tennessees Larry Thoman defeated Scott Leamon in the
Championship Singles final, while in Open Doubles George Cooper and
368

George Cooper
Photo by Skip Patton

Alfred Smith from Atlanta took the winning laurels. Outstanding juniors were Ben Ebert (TN), Steve
Hopkins (NC) [later with his wife Marie to become co-editor of our National Magazine], Anthony
Cooper (GA), and U-1500 champ Roger Acklin (VA). [Other results were never printed in TTT.]
Following the tournament, a segment on PM Magazine was recorded with USTTA National
Program Director Bob Tretheway acting as the feature interviewer. [Bob and Mark are working to
coordinate the whole USTTA-National Junior College scene, trying to get table tennis as a varsity
sport. This two-year college in Anderson (where coincidentally my wifes older brother lives) has
established a training camp and reportedly is going to offer two full-year table tennis scholarships.]
Because of the strong surprising field (80 players) from several states, next years tournament is
expected to be advertised as the Southeastern Regional.
Yvonne Kronlages Howard County Circuit continues; heres a
brief write-up of the Feb. 9th tournament (TTT, Jan.-Feb., 1986, 31):
Chartchai Teekaveerakit won the
February Howard Circuit Open over seven
other highly-rated competitors, defeating
second-place finisher Barry Dattel in the final
eight-man R.R. to earn $325 and 10 circuit
points. Quang Do, who has dominated the
Maryland table tennis scene since recently
moving here, finished third. Bill Sharpe, who
Yvonne Kronlage
always seems to walk away with a money
th
prize, was fourth. Other top finishers: (5 ) Ike
Imamuro of Japan; (6th) John Soderberg; (7th) Ben Nisbet; and (8th)
Steve Yeh. The February point totals showed Shubaji Chakraborty
(rated1790) leading the Circuit with 29 points, and Gayanne Homer and
Siele Hailu heading the new Junior Circuit with six points each.
Theres now, in addition to the Eastern Open, another questionable
sanctioning. The traditionally prestigious 3-star Pacific Coast Open, held Mar.
8-9 at Sacramentos Table Tennis World, was given to Jeff Mason. But in offering only $550 prize money
he may be closing himself off from California support of this tournament. The USTTA really must insist on
higher standards if we want to build up, year after year, same-name prestigious tournaments. I thoroughly
agree with Rufford Harrison that our whole tournament system has to be revised and rejuvenated.
Pacific Coast Results: Open Singles: Final: Khoa Nguyen d. Duc Luu, -19, -16, 17, 12, 16.
Semis: Nguyen d. Jeff Steif, 14, 13, -18, 13; Luu d. Erwin Hom, 14, 21, 19.
Quarters: Nguyen d. De Tran, 13, 15, 7;
Steif d. Avishy Schmidt, 15, 15, -19, 24;
Luu d. Khoi Nguyen, 13, 10, 7; Hom d.
James Therriault, 20, 8, -18, 17. U-2150s: Final: Tran d.
Greg Smith
Therriault, 20, -16, 19. Semis: Tran d. Bard Brenner, 14, 9;
Therriault d. Khoi Nguyen, 16, -18, 23. U-2000s: Final: Horace
Chang d. David Chu, 19, 15, -15, -18, 19. Semis: Chang d.
George Sanguinetti, 15, -16, 17; Chu d. Brenner, 10, -16, 17.
U-1850s: Final: Greg Smith d. Allen McDermott, 19, 17, 10, 11. Semis: Smith d. Shonie Aki, 4, -19, 20;
Barry Dattel

369

McDermott d. Peter Graves, 24, 17, 23. U-1700s: Final: Tara Arai
d. Hackie Honda, -20, 11, -15,
18, 15. Semis: Arai d. Tom Li, 18, 13, 15; Honda d. Naomichi
Arai, -14, 15, 19. U-3250
Doubles: 1. Al Senter/Kerry
Bossom. 2. Don/Anthony
Streutker. 3. Tara/Nao Arai. Over
60s: 1. Leo Egel. 2. Wil Fountain.
Paul Lourick
Jack Mason
3. Jack Mason. Over 50s: 1. Tom
Miller. 2. Honda. 3. Don McDermott. 4. Egel. Over 40s: Final: Brenner d. Mike Greene, 15, 13,
14. Semis: Brenner d. Aki, 5, 16; Greene d. D. McDermott, 12, 15. Juniors 17& U: Final: Robbie
Sorenson d. Jim Goodwin, 15, 21. Juniors 15 & U: 1. Paul Lourick. 2. Sam Seo. 3. Keiko Arai. 4.
Dan Tilvan.
Scott Bakke (TTT, Mar.-Apr., 1986, 30) covers the $2,000
Nebraska Open, played Mar. 21-23 at the Wisner Auditorium:
In a streaky rematch from their Wisner finals meeting three years
ago,
Insook Bhushan
Brandon
From Butterfly ad
Olson
Brandon
(2416)
Olson
and
Insook
Bhushan
(2413)
again
treated
the
spectators to a thrilling contest of power vs. defense.
Brandons strong loops and flat-hit kills were too much for the U.S. Womens Champion in the first
game, but Insook rebounded to take the second at 18. In the third, Brandon was leading 20-9
when suddenly Insook scored 10 straight points before Brandon recovered and went up two games
to one. The fourth game was a nip-and-tuck nail-biter as the crowd watched Insook brilliantly
survive against Brandons continued offense by edging him 21-19. In the fifth, Insooks steady
tactics and determination prevented another turning point and she coasted to the win at 15thus
reversing the outcome of their previous encounter. Notable upsets saw Thor Truelson block down
Gene Lonnon, Len Witz surprise Lisa Gee, and Li Ai sneak by Ardith Lonnon.
Results: Open Singles: Insook Bhushan d. Brandon Olson, -16, 18, -19, 19, 15. Semis:
Bhushan d. Dhiren Narotam, 16, 15, 13; Olson d. Todd Petersen, 18, 8, 20. Quarters: Bhushan d. Lisa
Gee, 5, 19, 7; Narotam d. Houshang Bozorgzadeh, 19, 16, -18, 12; Olson d. Diana Gee, 13, 16, 11;
Petersen d. Mark Kennedy, 17, 13, 14. Womens: Final: Lisa Gee d. Diana Gee, 11, 23, 21. Semis: L.
Gee d. Li Ai, 18, 16, 15; D. Gee d. Toni Gresham, 11, 8, 11. U-2100s: Final: David Chun d. Chi Ngo,
17, 18, 14. Semis: Chun d. Jim Lynum, 16, 16; Ngo d. Chi-Ming Chui, 21, 11. U-1975s: Final: Paul
Lykke d. Len Witz, 13, 15, 17. Semis: Lykke d. Gresham, 11, 8, 11; Witz d. David Barnes, -10, 16, 15.
370

U-1850s: Final: Ai d. Dan Krall, 16, -18, 16, -16, 17. U-1750s: Final: Ai d. Heidi
Karlsson, 14, -18, 17, 17. U-1650s: Final: Krall d. Terry Brecheisen, 14, 18, -18, 19. U-1550s:
Final: Arlen Zimmer d. Gary Zdan, 15, 13, 18. Semis: Zimmer d. LeRoy Petersen, 15, -16, 13;
Zdan d. Bob Tretheway, 19, 10, 19 [sic]. U-1450s: Final: Zdan d. Merle Lonnon, 13, 18, 19.
Semis: Zdan d. Bob Homer, Sr., 24, 19; Lonnon d. George Bovis, 8, 19. U-1350s: Final: Charles
Dickey d. Mark Newton, 10, -18, 10. Semis: Dickey d. Rich Nelson, 12, 13; Newton d. Norm
Robbins, 9. 10. U-1900 Seniors: Final: Shu Fun Lee d. L. Petersen, 16, 8. Semis: Lee d. Scott
Grafton, 15, 15; Petersen d. John ONeal, -17, 19, 20. U-17 Boys: Final: Narotam d. G. Lonnon,
n.s. Semis: Narotam d. Chris Fullbright, 19, 13; Lonnon d. Chi-Ming Chui, 12, 10. U-17 Girls: 1.
Jai-Yi Lee. 2. Hsu-Yi Lee. 3. Angie Petterson. 4. Terri Petterson.
Carol Plato has upbeat things to say about the Mar. 22-23Tampa Bay Winter
Championships:
The conditions for this two-day tournament were the best Florida has seen in quite a while.
The Tournament Committee [consisting of?] should be commended. Wood floors, good lighting,
individually-barricaded tables, and events that ran on time set the scene for some fine table tennis
matches.
The Jamaicans from Miami continue to have strong showings in Florida tournaments. Dennis
Brown has proven to be very tough, winning the last three out of four tournaments hes played in.
He is also the current Florida State Champion.
It was great to see the old faces: Randy Hess, the Pattersons, Greg Gingold, Ron
Rigo.Congratulations to Ronnie on getting married. It would appear his new brides a good cook
because it really shows on him. Kit Jeerapaet put in an unexpected appearance. Hell be attending
college next year in Georgia. Good luck, Kit. Marv Leff, we miss you and hope you return to
competition soon.
As you can see, the Sun Coast Club members continue to make Tampa Bay a solid table
tennis area.
Results: Championship Singles: Final: Dennis Brown d. Greg Gingold, 3-0. Semis: Brown
d. Larry Gold, 3-0; Gingold d. Ron Rigo, 3-0. Womens: 1. Olga Soltesz. 2. Bev Patterson.
Championship Doubles: 1. Gold/Charles Patterson. 2. Brown/Lenny Chew. Mixed Doubles: Final:
Chew/Soltesz d. Charles/Bev Patterson. As: 1. Rafael Zambrano. 2. Sohrab Zarrabian. A Doubles:
1.Joe Mitchell/Zambrano. 2. Zarrabian/Nader Fakhimi. Bs: 1. Zarrabian. 2. Fred Hautsch. Cs: 1.
Jack Cohen. 2. Al Shears. Ds: 1. Cohen. 2. Rudy Santo. Es: 1. Aria Partovi. 2. Andy Levitin.
Novice: 1. Von Phomsaka. 2. Emmanuel Philippu.
Winners at the Mar. 2 Howard County Circuit
Tournament in Columbia, MD: Open Singles: Final R.R. 1.
Dave Sakai, 5-0 (d. El-Hallal, -18, 24, 16). 2. Barry Dattel,
4-1. 3. Sleiman El-Hallal, 3-2. 4. Bowie Martin, Jr., 2-3. 5.
Hank McCoullum, 1-4. 6. Pat Lui, 0-5. Junior (17 & U): 1.
Eddie Farmer, 2-0. 2. Mark Melvin, 1-1. 3. Jason Lamm,
0-2.

Dave Sakai

Results of the Mar. 15-16 2-Star Westfield, N.J.

Open: Open Singles: Final: Rey Domingo d. Barry Dattel,
15, 14, 16. Semis: Domingo d. Brian Masters, 9, -19, -14,
371

8, 19; Dattel d. Brandon Olson, -12, 18, 19, 14. Quarters: Domingo d. Scott Butler, 13, 18, 18;
Masters d. George Brathwaite, 16, 12, 19; Dattel d. Randy Seemiller, 15, 13, -20,-14, 19; Olson
d. Steven Mok, 16, 16, 8. Open Doubles: Final: Mok/Fu-lap Lee d. Brathwaite/Bill Sharpe. 12,18.
Semis: Mok/Lee d. Seemiller/Butler, 17, -19, 17; Brathwaite/Sharpe d. Masters/Olson, 20, 19. U2300s: Final: Eyal Adini d. Lee, 14, 17, 18. Semis: Adini d. Sakai, 17, -22, 19, then George
Cameron, 18, 13; Lee d.
Sharpe, 19, -19, 16. U-2075s:
Final: Alan Fendrick d. Chris
Lehman, -15, 18, 19. Semis:
Fendrick d. Steve Berger, -15,

U.S. Junior Team Members to the 1963 French Open, L-R: Ron Hobson,
Harvey Gutman, and Ralph Pete Childs

18, 19; Lehman d, Harvey Gutman, 13, -19, 19. U-1950s:

Steve Berger
Final: Basil Boyce, Jr. d. Doon Wong, 16, 12. Semis: Boyce d.
Photo by John Oros
Anthony Cox, 18, 17; Wong d. Debrashis Kushary, 18, 17. U1825s: Final: George Hellerman d. Chris Costley, 19, -15, 9. Semis: Hellerman d. Don Miller, 16,
-19, 14; Costley d. George Holz, 15, -8, 12.
U-1725s: Final: Steve Kong d. Andre Liu, 18, -13, 16. Semis: Kong d. Al Matlosz,
18, -13, 16; Liu d. Michael Rose, 13, -10, 16. U-1575s: Final: Craig Sental d. Gilbert
Marrero, 14, 8. Semis: Sental d. Anthony Gegelys, 16, 18; Marrero d. Oscar Allero, n.s. U1425s: Ken Pecota d. Luz Brissett, 13, 15. Semis: Pecota d. Carl Skeete, Sr., 15, 14;
Brissett d. Mark Schmookler, def. U-1275s: Final: Alex Kim d.
Michael Sinder, 19, -16, 14. Semis: Kim d. David Foster, -17, 6, 17;
Sinder d. Alec Souffer, 18, 13. U-1125s: Arthur Dickinson d. Mike
Galbraith, 19, 18. Semis: Dickinson d. Joshua Li, 7, 12; Galbraith d.
Larry Pickett, Sr., 16, -14, 18. U-975s: Final: Steve Fink d. Ben Yeh,
15, 22. Semis: Fink d. John Ellis, Jr., 21, 14; Yeh d. Martie Ostuni, 19,
12. Unrated: Pierre Dorcely d. Ken Wieland, 14, 17. Semis: Dorcely
d. Morris Gelbard, 4, 12; Wieland d. Larry Bavly, 14, 14. Jr.s (17&
U): Final: Liu d. Anthony Truong, 13, 16. Semis: Liu d. Tim Ballard,
19, 19; Truong d. Inga Forstner, 19, 7. Jr.s (13 &U): Final: Truong d.
Galbraith, 13, 12. Semis: Truong d. Larry Pickett, Jr., 11, 7; Galbraith
Larry Bavly
d. Brian Ertel, 8, 9.
Winners at the Tennis 128 Spring Open, played March 1 in Bennington, MA: Open Singles:
Final: John Allen d. Lim Ming Chui, 15, 15. Semis: Allen d. Christian Wieth, 19, 14; Chui d. ChiSun Chui, 18, -13, 14. U-2200s: Final: Carl Danner d. Allen, -10, 15, 12. Semis: Danner d. Kok
Liang Liung, 13, 16; Allen d. Chi-Sun Chui, 17, 13.U-2000s: Final: Robert Zarren d. Liung, -22,
372

20, 11. Semis: Zarren d. Haig Raky, 14, 14; Liung d. Marta
Zurowski, 14, 14. U-1900s: Final: Howard Reben d. John
Lohfeld, 12, -10, 18. Semis: Reben d. Chris Costley, 19, 19;
Lohfeld d. James Brown, 15, -17, 16. U-1700s: Final: Ralph
Osborne d. Bruce Ahern, 11, 11. Semis: Osborne d. Alex
Landsman, -17, 13, 28 [sic]; Ahern d. Dennis Walker, 19, -11, 12.
[Other events, if held, were never printed in TTT.]
Haig
Raky

Well, I, Tim, find I continue to have a difference of opinion

with more than a few of my fellow USTTA members and so, as
youve repeatedly seen, I continue to say what I think needs to be said. Heres a Feb. 3, 1986 letter
I wrote to Bob Brickell prior to his running of the Mar. 7-9 Eastern Open:
Dear Bob,
I think its great youre running a
tournament with 30 events, and I support
you and your co-workers, and I want Jay
Harris to help you in any way that he can, and I myself plan to
attend your tournament.
However, my son Scott will not comeand I dont blame
him. I personally dont think the very good players should come to
your tournament. The Image of the Eastern Open, traditionally a
prestigious tournament, is seriously tarnished this year because your
Tournament Directors
Bob and Rose Brickell
prize money distribution rewards mediocrity, not excellence. In my
opinion, this is a backward step for the Sportand not consonant
with my hopes for Showcase Tournaments in the future. As we agreed over the phone, however, it
was really the USTTAs responsibility to set policy for a 3-Star tournament regarding both the
amount of prize money and the distribution of itand since we were negligent in this, I can scarcely
come at you very strongly.
But Bob, consider that in this tournament, if my rating stays at 2092, I, a pot-bellied, 55-year-old
man, who doesnt touch a racket outside of tournament play, can realistically have a chance, by playing in
four events (U-2100 Singles, U-2100 Doubles, Esquires and Seniors) to win $269. In view of what
players far superior to me have a chance of winning that $269 is absurdly out of proportion.
Its hard for me to understand what kind of Image you and your co-workers have of a 3Star Open that offers the members of the U.S. World Team, and those players just below them in
rank whove been working out at Lake Placid, such little opportunity.
The breakdown of the Mens Singles prize money: Winner: $350. Runner-up: $175.
Semifinalist: $100. Quarterfinalist: $50. And the Womens: Winner: $48. Runner-up: $24.
If, as apparently you anticipate, 36 players play in the U-1300s, the winner gets $72, the
runner-up $36. And so it goes up through the various eventsthe winner of the U-1700s gets $75
(more than an Open quarterfinalist)the winner of the 1900s gets $100 (what the Open
semifinalist is awarded).
This prize money is so badly proportioned that if I were a very good player I wouldnt play
singles, or doubles (not even to accommodate a frienddoubles winner gets maybe $20; finalist
maybe $10). Id be ashamed, and you might be too, Bob, to tell a media person what prize money
a National Champion had come here for.
373

THIS Eastern Open cannot be good for the Sport. If the strong players come, youll have
taken advantage of them; and even if they dont come youll have taken advantage of them, you and
the E.C. policy makers of which Im one, for by awarding the tournament to you, and then being
taken by surprise by the prize money, we may have prevented the Easterns being assigned to
another group who could be just to the best players.
But, as I say, Im at fault too for having allowed this to happen at a traditionally prestigious
Eastern Open. A local Rochester Open, perhaps, but not at a 3-Star Eastern Open.
Bob, I put it to you and your co-workers, do you really think players like my son Scott
should come to your tournament? Pay airfare, hotel bill, restaurant prices, put on a good show for
the spectators, mingle with them, give TV or radio interviews? This, when you and your co-workers
would dismiss my sons professionalism, his National titlestell him in effect youd rather have a
1200-rated player who brings in entry-fee money to your tournament.
[My bottom line to this letter was: Copies to everyone.]
Rick Hardy (TTT, Mar.-Apr., 1986, 29; 33) does the coverage for us at this tournament:
The 1986 Eastern Open, held in Brockport, N.Y., just west of Rochester, drew an
encouraging 241 players. Forty-seven others were turned away, to ensure that Tournament Director
Bob Brickell and his staff, including his wife Rose, could run the tournament with their usual
maximum efficiency.
Most of the 241 players got what they came for: a chance to play players from outside their own
region. For the top players, however, the tournament just did not measure up as the professional event
they and others have come to expect from the Eastern Open. The prize money distribution was just
atrocious. The Open Champion received $350, down significantly from previous years. A semifinalist
received $100, the same as the Under 1800 winner, and so forth. As for the women, well, forget them;
there wasnt even a commitment made to them. They got only a percentage of the entry feeswhich
amounted to about $50 for winner Jasmine Wang and $25 to runner-up Vicky Wong. Meanwhile the
Under 1400s paid four players a total of $105 guaranteed. So its easy to see who was more important
to the
tournament
committee.
Rick is
going to cover
the late-round
Open matches,
but, first, heres
an abbreviated
list of winners in
other events
(though less than
half of the 30
reportedly held
Vicky Wong
were printed in
Photo by Mal Anderson
Jasmine Wang
TTTperhaps
Photo by Mal Anderson
because Editor Bakke has space restrictions): Open Singles: Final:
Canadas Joe Ng d. Chartchai Hank Teekaveerakit, 18, 19, 12. Semis: Ng d. Brian Masters, 18, -19,
-17, 18, 18; Teekaveerakit d. Brandon Olson, 16, -17, 18, 19. Womens: Final: Jasmine Wang d. Vicky
374

Wong, 16, 17. Semis: Wang d. Kalavathi Panda, 18, 16; Wong d. Canadas Becky McKnight, 14, 16.
Open Doubles: Final: Canadas J. Ng/Peter Ng d. Masters/Olson, 16, -18, 18, 19.
U-2300s: Jerry Thrasher d. P. Ng, 16, 14, 18. Semis: Thrasher d. John Allen, 19, 20; Ng
d. Todd Petersen, 19, -17, 18. U-2100s: Final: Chi-Sun Chui d. Ray Mack, 18, 17. Semis: Chui
d. Kok Liang Liung, 19, 16; Mack d. Wong, 17, 18. U-1950s: Karl Berube d. Chip Coulter, 18, 19, 19. Semis: Berube d. Panda, 16, 16; Coulter d. Dan Walk, 18, 17. U-1800s: Pete Chang d.
Dennis Kaminsky, 16, 15. Semis: Chang d. Anthony Cox, 18, -17, 19; Kaminsky d. T. Lee, 17, 16, 19. U-1700s: Jerome Nainaar d. Brad Gelb, 17, 18. Semis: Nainaar d. J. Gristwood, 16, 15;
Gelb d. J. Beauvais, 16, -18, 18. U-1200s: Final: Harry Beaver d. Fernando Ofray, 16, -15, 17.
U-1000s: Final: Greg Gascon d. Blaine Egan, 16, 18. Unrated: Ken Drayton, Jr. d. Mark Rollins,
18, -14, 17. Senior Esquires: Bill Hornyak d. Jack Diamond, 17, -15, 16. Esquires: Final: Tim
Boggan d. Maurice Moore, 15, 17.
Rick continues: Despite the paucity of prize money, the field had its traditional strength, due
in no small measure to the presence of the Lake Placid Training Center group. Brian Masters, Scott
and Jimmy Butler, Brandon Olson, Jerry Thrasher, and Randy Seemiller, who have been training
there since fall, were joined by Jasmine Wang,Vicky Wong, Ardith Lonnon, and Kim Gilbert
(Cheryl Dadian was entered but had to withdraw due to a separated shoulder). The women came
to Lake Placid in January, and like the men theyve been working hard, too, doing 160 sit-ups a day
and weight training in addition to improving their technique.
In the Open Singles, there was an early upset when Pittsburghs Chip Coulter, after winning
his preliminary group, took out Mens Doubles winner Peter Ng. Peter had, in preparation for this
tournament, increased his practice to 7 days a weekfrom his usual 6.
In the eighths, five matches were routine. Joe
Ng and Brian Masters over local stalwarts Ray Mack
and Joe Billups, Chartchai (Hank) Teekaveerakit
over George Cameron, Randy Seemiller over Lim
Ming Chui (conqueror of the rampaging Coulter), and
Brandon Olson over A-winner Jerry Thrasher, whod
earlier gone five with Saskatchewans Charles Woo.
Ricky Seemiller was on his 2-0 way to a
straight-game win over Tim Boggan when suddenly
Tim, hitting in Rickys serves, won the third and then
the fourth.
Ray Mack
Photo by Mal Anderson
But in the
fifth, after
some quick advice from
brother Danny, Ricky bore
down and was never
threatened.
Rey Domingo
downed Jim Butler in four. Jim
was unhappy with the old
ratings used for the tournament
which required him to play
Domingo to get to the money,
Ricky Seemiller
instead of being seeded fourth.
Tim Boggan
Photo by Neal Fox
375

The only upset in this round was John Allens 19-in-the-5th win over Scott Butler, after John
had earlier escaped B-winner Chi-Sun Chui in five. John spent three months in Sweden recently,
then played tourist for three weeks with fiance Kim Farrow. Something good for his game there
somewhere, right?
In the quarters, John played an inspired
first game against Joe Ng, but even that was not
enough against the top seed.

Brian Masters

Joe Ng

Nor could Domingo do anything against

Chartchais strong offense. And Brandon
downed Ricky in four.
In the last quarterfinal between Brian
and Randy, the key game was the first when
Chartchai Hank Teekaveerakit
Randy blew a 20-16 lead. Though Randy won
Photo by Robert Compton
the next two games, it was Brian who broke
away from 14-all in the fourth, and won easily at 12 in the fifth.
In the one semifinal, Chartchai, who in Sean ONeills absence is bringing in a practice
partner from Thailand, had no trouble with Olson.
In the other, Ng had just as easy a time with Mastersin the first game. But in the second,
Brian went up 13-7. Joe closed to 13-12, whereupon Brian won a long point. Ng stayed with him
though until at 17-all Brian with the serve pulled away. Match all even.
The third was a shoo-in for Joe at 8. But in the fourth, Masters rallied from 5-3 down
to 12-8 up. However, up 14-12, Brian served into the net. In the end-game, Brian, down 2019 match point, served and followed for a winner, then went on to take the game. Match all
even again.
Down 4-3 in the fifth, Ng scored with three third-ball attacks, then worked his lead to 12-7.
But Masters, helped by an edge at 12-14, tied it up at 15-all.then lost all five on his own serve.
Match 21-17 to Ng.
376

In the final, Joe started fast with leads of 10-6, 13-10, 15-12and then in the middle of the
next point a custodian turned out the lights in half the gym. Though Chartchai was facing the area
where the lights were extinguished and eventually lost the point, he did not ask for a let. [Did this
final have an umpire? If so, should he have called a let?] Chartchai then took an 18-17 lead when
Ng failed to return serves. But in the end it was Joes game, 21-19.
Ng broke away from 7-all in the second and raced to a 19-13 lead. But Hank rallied
again; and down 19-16, he got a net, then moved to 19-17 when Joe failed to return serve. Then a
big point: Joe looped in Chartchais serve and held on to win at 19.
In the third, Ng started strong again, and this time Hank couldnt rally.
Match, Eastern title, and $350 to Canadas Joe Ng.
Tims addendum: With all due respect to Bob Brickell, who worked hard, the Easterns was
a mess. The tables and barriers from Ron Shirley did not get there. The Referee got angry because
he wasnt playing welland left the tournament. The prize money, as Id detailed earlier, was
terrible. The players dressed in motleyone guys boxer shorts hung down below his playing
shorts. The late-round matches werent staged. While the Mens final was being played, two guys
were practicing, one in street clothes. I never saw a local photographer or reporter for any
newspaper.
Mgod, we need experienced people to run meaningful tournaments. We HAVE to pay
them. The volunteer system just doesnt work without talented direction.
I too often feel that the average USTTA member is just a rec player with a rec players
thinking.
What kind of Association is this thats so inured to change?

377

Chapter Twenty-Five
1986: USTTA Spring Actions.
Ill start this chapter with a Mar. 1st letter my good friend Dick Evans sent meas a warning:
Since I will be making a voting appearance at the upcoming Mar. 14-16 E.C. Meeting, I
should advise you, since I am Rufford Harrisons proxy, and agree with him fiscally far more than
you, I will in all likelihood be supporting Jimmy McClure and a conservative viewpoint. I am in favor
of keeping the remaining $600,000 windfall money in the Foundation where it was voted by the
E.C. If this means putting programs on hold for the rest of fiscal 1985-86, so be it.
I will want to see a budget proposal for 1986-87 based on projected revenue from all
sources (i.e., memberships, sanction fees, manufacturers and equipment, USOC, interest from the
Foundation money, etc.), and then decide where, over the next 12 months, to spend the money. I
am appalled by your seeming disregard for deficit spending and readiness to throw money to
anyone with an outstretched hand.
You may feel the measure of soul is a willingness to rush headlong into excess [as if The
road to excess leads to the palace of wisdom?], but I do not want the Boggan-administration
legacy to the USTTA to be bankruptcy and the capricious squandering of the Olympic windfall on
projects for which you, to paraphrase another poet, have your reasons which reason knows not of.
[Mgod, do you think my taking proposals seriously and consider acting on them is irrational?
And do you think on any serious money issues Id act unilaterally, or that my E.C. would allow me to?]
Of course, Dick isnt the only one
expressing concernhere suddenly is Charlie
Disney, whom weve not heard from for a
while, with his Too Much Spending article
(TTT, Jan.-Feb., 1986, 22):
I am very upset to hear that our
president and the E.C. have spent
$175,000 of the L.A. Olympic windfall.
[Doesnt that unsubstantiated figure include
the considerable thousands in debt my E.C.
inherited from the Schiff administration?]
Charlie Disney
Now they want to spend $100,000 more
[well, maybe Tim does, and maybe more
than $100,000]. This excessive spending frightens me [Boo!] and is very dangerous for the future of
our USTTA. Only the interest should be spent and not the principal [or any part of it?...why not?].
This $1.3 million is a windfall profita one shot deal. It can generate $100,000 of interest a year.
Isnt that enough to spend on past debts and new hopeful programs? [No.]
If our president wants to have a positive place in table tennis history, he should learn how to
manage the USTTA like a business. [Come, comethere must be other ways for him to have a
positive place in t.t. history. Well have to see, huh? But its nice that others are concerned about
where he ends up.] If not, hell be known as the president who wasted $275,000 with his excuse
being, Well, at least we tried. [Not a bad excuse.]
I want to know who on the E.C. is voting to spend, including past and future votes. Please,
I want the E.C. to act more responsible.
378

The emphasis in the past has been to promote top players (stars) and [not very
successfully and just for a short time] the players association, etc. [What does the
etc. mean?] This has turned off a lot of important organizers. [Oh, Charlie, stop
with that fantasy. When in your time, when you were our countrys hard-working,
ambitious premier-local-promoter (see accompanying ad for Charlies June, 1972
Classic tournament), did we have a lot of important organizersand all these
important organizers giving up organizing?] It would be nice to have a world
champion, but losing our top ten U.S. players would not be as devastating as losing
our top ten promoters. I think the USTTA would be further ahead if we spent more
The U.S. Table
Tennis Players time and energy developing and backing promoters who will create hundreds of
players.
Association
As past president of the USTTA and owner of a successful 17-year well-known
club, I feel our priorities need to be changed as mentioned above in order for table tennis to grow.
[At the upcoming E.C. Meeting Charlie, proxy for Gus Kennedy, will invite prospective club owners
to his Club in Minneapolis to see how hes been doing it for 17 years. How hes been doing it has
not always found favor with the USTTA.]
O.K., lets get right to the sliced meat of the Meeting.
Led by Sheila ODougherty, whos been conscientiously trying to get our finances in order,
a discussion of the 1986-87 Budget began.
The windfall money had been slow in coming$500,000 was still due us.
The expected interest from the Foundation was discussed. After allowing for our [$35,000]
loan repayment at $1,450 a month [for two years] , $33,000 was the amount we could expect. In
the Budget presented, the interest income had been greatly overestimated at $81,792. [WOW!
Lyle, Emily, Sheila, how could such a discrepancy happen?] A line by line discussion of the 1985-86
Budget, centering on a comparison of revenue and expense to date, made it clear that our projected
income amounted to $13,000 less than budgeted, and our projected expense amounted to $25,000
more than budgeted.
Total expected revenue was $124,594 ($23,000 in Equipment Approval fees).
The expected expenses were $161,009.
The expected deficit had risen to $80,105.
Much of the Meeting would be taken up in a preoccupation with balancing this Budget.
What draconian cuts would be necessary? Would a USTTA employee have to be fired? What
money in the 1986-87 season would there be for development?
In response to a question by Boggan as to whether anyone on the E.C. besides himself
thought we should spend some of the windfall money, there was a motion by Eisner: That
$100,000 of the windfall money be made available for projects that would generate income to that
amount over a four-year period. {How could one be sure that four years later such projects would
have yielded such income?] Seconded by ODougherty. Motion defeated 2-7 (with Boggan and
Eisner in the minority).
Boggan wanted at least a brief statement of his position on the record:
I personally think that at this historic time, this moment of unparalleled opportunity in the
Sport, when so much needs to be done in so many directions, we must initially spend some of the
windfall money. Were not in the banking business, were not in any business at allwere trying, or
should be trying, to promote a long-neglected, nearly invisible non-profit sport. We MUST try to
379

establish good places to play and find lots of USTTA members to play in them. This takes money
and manpower.
A contrasting motion was later made by McClure, seconded by Disney, and passed 7-2
(with Boggan and Eisner in the minority):
We are in favor of using up to 90% of the earnings of the USTTA Foundation, Inc. for any
project or program that this USTTA Executive Committee or any future USTTA Executive
Committee feels will help to develop or promote the sport of table tennis in the USA. We also are in
favor of preserving the principal of the USTTA Foundation, Inc. in order to guarantee the financial
stability of the USTTA. [Well, that bureaucratically-constructed paragraph tries safely to have it
both ways.]
In anticipation of the Budget discussions to come, Boggan read a statement by Dick Miles
of a year ago concerning goals and accomplishments of USTTA staff and volunteers:
The Association
must become, I believe,
more goal-oriented.
Whenever there is more
than one applicant for a
USTTA job, volunteers or
paid workers, the person
assigned that task must be
put on notice that the predetermined goals must be
met within a certain time.
This rule should be applied
everywhere: to the junior
Change of staff needed: If only he hadnt seen the ball,
development person in
there wouldnt have been consequences
charge; the coaching
chairman; executive director; and, yes, even to the E.C. itself. Set goals. If they are not realized
within the time allotted, change the staff or end the project. This statement did not produce a
motion.
There follow the drastic cuts:
Motion by McClure: that projected E.C. expenses be reduced from $30,000 to $20,000.
Seconded by ODougherty. Motion passed 7-1-1.
A decision was made to cut Headquarters support from $44,169 to $30,000. How this was
going to be done was not clear at the moment. In fact, Bob Tretheway said Headquarters needed a
$4-an-hour clerk/typist. Later, McClure indicated that we could immediately get $10,000 in interest
earning from the Foundation to cover the $8,100 we were in particular need of, and it was agreed
that this $10,000 be sent to Headquarters.
Boggan for the E.C.will ask Dan Simon and Dennis Masters to take cuts from $8/player to
$6/player for Ratings/Draws/Scheduling, and $500 from each of their Open and Closed Directors
fees. However, any profit over $15,000 at the 86 U.S. Open will go toward restoring these cuts.
380

[Regardless of any profit at the U.S. Open, I later, on seeing the exceptional work Masters and
Simon were doing, urged the E.C. to rescind these cuts and they did, at least for Simon through the
U.S. Open.]

Scott Bakkes Table Tennis Topics is everything I thought it would be. Theres no question
but that, as I can see from my advance copy, he can do the job, make the magazine readable.
However, this first issue took a long time*both he and his printer had to get acclimated
to a new format, different from Wiggys. Also, Scotts had trouble with his postal permit. Bob
Tretheway, continuing more and more now to prove his worth, was trying to expedite a SecondClass mailing for him via contact with the Postal Service in Washington. Otherwise, hed have to
send this first issue Third-Class. Everybody understands that Scott has got to be able to get the
issue out regularly [that was one of Tom Wintrichs strengths and, as, well soonno, make that
latersee, Bakkes major problem]. Moreover, Scotts spent quite a bit of money on this first
issue.
So the E.C., trying to decide what the publications worth and how much Scott can spend,
came up with this motion by Dick Evans: that not 10 but 8 issues of Topics be published yearly with
a total budget (including Scott Bakkes salary) of $50,000. Seconded by Disney, who
recommended that Boggan convey this info to Bakke. Motion passed 7-2.
Motion by ODougherty to cut P.R. expenses to $6,000 total
(including Jay Harriss salary and expenses). Seconded by Hodge. Motion
passed 5-3-1. For: Hodge, Lee, Disney, ODougherty, and Evans. Against:
Boggan, Eisner, and Thiem. McClure abstained.
Evans suggested a $21,000 possible increase in revenue by moving
the Rating Committee function to Headquarters. This was a complication
that was not pursued. [Well, it was by Simon. He later commented:
I cannot understand how moving the rating system to Colorado
Springs would save moneyand how this person would do tournament
operations AND have time left for other jobs. Note: Dan Simon, Rating
Chairman/CDP, 24 hrs/wk ; Patti Simon, Office Manager, 30 hrs/wk;
Nancy Zimmerman, Programmer/Keyboarder, 22 hrs/wk. USTTA would
have to pay the salary and fringe benefits for a person with multiple skills
computer and table tennis expertise. USTTA would have to purchase a
computer systemsoftware. What about office space and equipment/
381

Ratings Chair
Dan Simon

storage space? What about all the phone calls and contacts with Tournament Directorsweekends
and evenings?
I enjoy doing the Rating System since it combines two interests of minecomputers and
table tennis. However, I consider this job a labor of love for which I receive little compensation and
little thanks. I take pride in all my endeavors, and consider having the suggestion of moving the
Rating System to Headquarters without even discussing this matter with me to be offensive and
insulting.
Bob Tretheway agreed that Headquarters did not have the wherewithal to take on the
Ratings. If we brought the ratings to Colorado Springs, wed have to hire two more full-time
people. And, since were not going to get more office space, that would be quite impractical. In my
opinion, Dan has an in-depth familiarity with the Associations players and an expertise that would
take somebody coming in cold maybe three years to match.
A Motion was made and seconded that the USTTA match the
$9,000 in funds promised by Californias Dr. Jiing Wang in order to bring
the Chinese to the U.S. Open. The motion failed 1-8. Harold Kopper had
pointed out to USTTA Tournament Chair Dennis Masters the continuing
impact the coming of the Chinese last year had made on t.t. in Southern
California.
Back in Feb., Id had lunch in New York with Steve Waldman,
Sales Manager of the Las Vegas Showboat Hotel. We wanted to have
some tournament there, perhaps in August. I then spoke at length with Ellen
Kowitz and Pam Ross of Mallory Factor, Inc., the NYC Public Relations
Dr. Jiing Wang
firm for the Showboat. Waldman had said they might give us some free
publicity, even as they began hyping the tournament we proposed to have there next season. Of
course Mrs. Kowitz wanted to know what kind of Budget we had for professional promotional
help. I was embarrassed to tell her wed allotted $3,000 for the whole year to Jay Harris. I said,
really stupidly, just throwing out a figure, that the USTTA might be willing to spend $15,000 for
such professional help. The impossibility of perhaps anything at all would soon be apparent. Kowitz
said that without a PR Awareness Campaign, without a Product, we will never have anybody
wanting to open table tennis clubsand without 7-day-a-week clubs where the owner can make
money, the Sport wont move.
Expected expenses of various USTTA Committees were cut from $13,832 to $12,000.
Each Headquarters Staff members salary will be evaluated individually. A request by Headquarters
employee Ann Orthwein for a pay increase was noted.
At this point, the Budget seemed to be balanced. Subsequently, on a Motion by Evans, a
second by McClure, it passed unanimously. Later, however, it was discovered that the Budget still
wasnt perfectly balanced by some $7,000 which was still coming to the Coaching Program.
Budget Chair Dick Evans would prepare the 86-87 Budget for the June Meeting.
As President, Tim had some tidying up duties to perform:
In a Mar. 18 letter to Danny Seemiller I informed him that the E.C. said he couldnt be both
a player and a coach at Lake Placid, and moreover they were going to dock him $800 in pay for
382

unauthorized absencesfirst for 2 weeks in Japan, then for another

week in Pittsburgh.
All the $49,960 Grant Money was going to the Colorado
Springs Program, nothing to Lake Placid, but that Program would stand
until May7. However, Id no sooner written this letter to Danny than the
very next day we learned that the USOC, literally without warning, told
us that, because conditions at the Marcey Hotel, where our players
were staying, had seriously deteriorated to the point of extremely
serious health and safety violations, we had to vacate the hotel
immediately and relocate to another USOC facility that did not at the
Danny Seemiller . . .
moment provide a Meal Service Program. So, given the prohibitive
not $800!
expense for the players of providing their own meals, our Lake Placid
RTP was cut short by six weeks. I received a letter from RTP Coach Seemiller (copy to the E.C.)
urging us to refund $2,000 in fees for those who had to leave school at mid-term [how many of this
new group coming in to Lake Placid were going to school?]and this the E.C. agreed to do.
I later noted in Scott Bakkes Nets and Edges (Late Breaking
News) section in TTT (March-April, 1986, 19) that
Although Danny Seemiller loves coaching, the earlier
ending of this seasons Lake Placid training program has allowed
the head coach and five-time U.S. Champion to return to his new
bride, Valerie Yost, in their hometown Pittsburgh.
Danny and Valerie were married in a private ceremony back in January. No one in the
family even knew about the wedding until several days after (apparently brothers Ricky and Randy
were off at a tourney at the time, and father Ray later found out while at a bowling league). Danny,
ever the consummate gentleman, didnt want to upstage his sisters planned church wedding, which
was to happen the following week.
I talked with Bob Tretheway and Liguo Ai about the RTP Program.
Perhaps any resumption of the Lake Placid Program is not possible, even if we
could afford it. Bob is now looking to Marquette as a site for a second RTP.
This summer at Marquette there will be two Junior Camps (in July and
August), coached no doubt by one of the Ais. In Colorado Springs there are
no camps until October, at which time there will be a Coaches Camp. Bob is
considering asking for a next years Grant for a Marquette RTP. Possibly
Danny, if he can make up his mind to be a National Coach, would be the Coach
there. Henan and Liguo would like to concentrate on junior players [including their daughter] at
Colorado Springs. However, if we can get a Grant, or can otherwise afford it, a small group of
older players ought to have a Training Environment that will provide continuity for U.S. Teams.
Players at both RTPs should probably not be paid per diem, but should be given Expense or Travel
Money (all Colorado Springs RTP players are getting of their way paid to the U.S. Open). The
two RTPs should probably be mirror images of one anotherand considerable attention should be
paid to just whos invited to be in the Program, the more so if we have only the Colorado Springs
RTP. Perhaps the coaches should decide which players get Expense or Travel Money. Its clear
players must be periodically added to and dropped from RTP rosters and that guidelines must be
established for this.
383

Id spent a lot of time as President trying to make things happen on various fronts new to
me, and, though my E.C. was going through the motions of attending meetings with people who
might help us, the interest of the many was really in tying up their allotted USOC money in a kerchief
and avoiding starting off in any new adventurous direction. So I now had to cut off any connections
wed tried to have with those whod required up-front money from us.
With Long Islands Stu Kroll, who was interested in setting up marketing contacts and
meetings for me in New York City, Id gone to see Rey Olsen, President of World Sports Group
(WSG),who was with Lamar Hunt for six years and whod parted amicably with him, taking away
maybe 20 of his staff. He spoke about a highly stylized approach involving televised hotel-ballroom
play and black-tie spectators who would be prospective sponsors. He wanted $15,000 up
front.
At the woefully-presented Easterns, Id been approached by Danny Seemiller and Bill
HornyakBill wont run his always much-anticipated Duneland tournament this year [too much
sweat and anxiety, and too much money out of his and Lizs pockets to keep up the standard he
proudly wants?]. They urged me to urge the E.C. to allocate, say, $3,000-$5,000 to each of, say,
10 Tournament Directors who ran the most prestigious yearly tournaments so they might better
promote and run them. Perhaps if that came to pass wed have a product-package that a corporate
sponsor would be interested in. But think even promoter-minded Disney would approve an outlay
of $30-$50,000?
Then theres Bonnie Gutman,
who comes from a N.J. family of table
tennis players, so she has a feel for the
Game. She was with BursonMarsteller for six years, and Rodgers
for I believe four. Now shes started
her own firm. I talked with her and she
said shes preparing a six-month
proposal for us. She says she has
some ideas that will help Lou
Bochenski with his proposed nationwide Charity Tournament (more on
Lous tournament in a moment). She
can help Gary Ruderman, for she
knows what to with his 30-second
promo tape. And she can help Bob
Tretheways Resident Training
Program get more visibility.
Sorry, Bonnie, no follow-ups
possible now, or perhaps forever.
She thought we were shortsighted, felt we needed an Awareness
Campaign even more than we needed
clubs.

1962 Providence, Rhode

Island Eastern Open Winners:
Junior Miss, Donna
Chaimson, 15; Girls, Bonnie
Gutman, 13; Novice, Priscilla
Hirshkowitz
Photo by Michael Kelly

384

I finished proofing Jeff Masons Manual (though I let the Appendix

part of it stand), and though Im aware the book needs more editing, I sent
it off to Kathy Goodwin for her comments. The Manual was misaddressed at Headquarters and ended up with Bonnie Gutman. As she
later told me over the phone, she couldnt resist looking at it and, while she
recognized it had some flaws, she thought it had real value and said it
would be a shame not to do something with it. Jeff, she said, should
certainly be on a TV Talk Show with it, should have an article or two in
various business publications about it.
Kathy Goodwin
I received a thoroughly conscientious letter from Kathy Goodwin
who advises that Jeffs Manual either be single-spaced or the pages
reduced. I think the Appendix could be cut from 196 pages to about 100. Kathy talks of bringing
the book down to a manageable 250 pages in all.
Carl Danner hasnt written a Coaching Manual, but he sure feels now, and will later, that he
has practical advice for the player who wants to improve his game. Here (TTT, May-June, 1986,
14) are excerpts from tips he offers the membership based on his many years of tournament
play:
Expectations: Be realistic, expect to struggle a bit, and take pride in confirming your ability
in a tournament to win those matches that your practice suggests you ought to. [Huh? How much
satisfaction can there be in again and again winning those matches youre expected to win?]
Ratings and Other Mental Traps: Most players, especially young ones, overstate the
importance of ratings, and it often affects their play. Lower-rated players are thought weak, which is
not always true, while higher-rated players are thought stronger than they may actually be in a given
match. [Dont let your performance be affected by a possibly false perspective.] Forget about rating
points while playing.
The Big Lead: An experience player knows that leads come and go. Whether youre ahead
or behind, consider it a temporary situation; no matter what the score, be ever alert to redouble
your efforts.
Eating and Resting: Besides a big early breakfast, you want to eat small nutritious snacks
throughout the day of competition. Drink whatever makes you feel most comfortable. When not
playing, dont forget to rest, and rest quite a bit. Conserve your energy. It only takes 15 minutes to
warm-up properly for your next match.
Early Rounds: Try to play steadily; hit your big shots at about three-quarters speed. You
may be surprised at the number of errors an anxious player can make.
Players You Always Beat: Watch this opponenthe (she) may be loose, feel he has
nothing to lose. While you, taking him too lightly, may find yourself in an unexpected battle where
fear of defeat makes you tighten.
Practice Tip #1Train yourself to be aggressive by readying yourself to smash
forehands: Counter-drive backhand to backhand with your practice partner. One player
(without warning) hits a high, soft backhandthis the other player must move to smash with his
forehand.
Practice Tip #2At least three-quarters of serve returns youve pushed back could
have been attacked. Learn how to do itby doing it. Think why the attack workedor it
didnt.
385

Bonus Coaching CapsuleThe most difficult serves to hit are those with only sidespin,
and no topspin or chop. To avoid popping the ball up, or returning it into the net, try hitting straight
into flat serves with a short punching motion, and worry only about the sidespin. The flat return you
will produce is quite difficult to counter-drive or loop comfortably, and you will often get a weak
topspin in reply.
In quite another context, you can bet I got a weak reply when I both wrote and spoke on
the phone to a dejected Ron Schull, told him we didnt have the $9,000 to help him refurbish his
Columbus, Ohio Club, had, in fact, no money at all to give himnot even with Ohio sympathizers
Lyle Thiem, Dick Evans, and Bill Hodge all in the room. He sent a letter back, telling me how table
tennis is in a crisis situation in Ohio and urging that we immediately help establish clubs there.
Actually, just a few chapters back, Ohio TTA Secretary-Treasurer Rick Hardy, Cleveland
TTA President, was talking about the strong Association they had in Ohio. Imagine how Schull feels
when he reads these lines from another Hardy article (TTT, May-June, 1986, 13):
The Cleveland Table Tennis Club recently took a giant step
[this after the USTTA said we couldnt give Rick the $200 or so a
month he wanted to put his well-established club in the market for a
better facility]. We have rented a building in the suburb of Cleveland
Heights. The building is very nice, with a high ceiling and beautiful wood
floors. More importantly, there are residential areas within walking
distance. Our club will become part of a community. We already have
had several people walk in off the street to play, and the owner of a
Rick Hardy
print shop next door is going to help us with such things as getting
posters in shop windows. He thinks we are an asset to the community.
All this happened within three days of our opening. [How is it that Rick and his club members can
take can such an initiative and Ron and his club members cant? Which club offers the Association
more opportunity to move the sport? When we can, which club is more of a priority for us to help?]
We are fortunate, though, in paying only $1,000 a month which includes utilities. We also
have the option to sublet our space for occasional parties or meetings if we need additional income.
For those not so fortunate, USTTA funding would be a godsend. For the USTTA, it would be the
best investment possible, even better than the 10% investment return on the Olympic windfall.
One of our club directors told me recently that if the USTTA refuses to spend any of the
Olympic windfall it shows that the USTTA has no confidence that its programs will expand the
sport. I would add that there is no reason to have confidence in the failed policies of the past,
because there must first be a solid foundation for programs.
The USTTA must help start some good clubs, even if it means using our capital reserve.
After a couple of years at most these clubs should be self-sufficient. It is a far better course of action
386

than wasting money on coaching programs for non-existent players or on development of juniors
whose parents prefer that they not be in a dingy building in a deteriorating neighborhood after dark.
Paul Ng, of Wyoming, trying to get a tournament out there, asked us to waive the playing
permit rule. I wrote him, If I take my wife to the movies for two hours, buy us popcorn and a small
Sprite, I spend $10. Anybody who would seriously want to play table tennis in a weekend
tournament amid and perhaps against the best players in the state sure ought to support an
Association thats trying to bring recognition to the sport.
I both wrote and spoke to Jim Schnorf. Hed said if he could get 15-20 tables (Nissen was
reportedly interested in helping him), he could get a shared-table circuit of at least four $2,000
tournaments going in his Illinois area alone. What could we do to help? Not as much as hed like.
The E.C. agreed to give the winner of his Circuit a free Lifetime membership in the USTTA, and the
runner-up entries in a maximum of four events in both the U.S. Open and U.S. Closed.
Under a discussion of Membership Revenue in the proposed 1986-87 Budget, the local,
regional, and national Association of College Unions-International (ACU-I) tournaments were
identified as a possible value sourceboth for increased USTTA membership and places to play.
TTT (Jan.-Feb., 1986, 19) tells us, Each year the ACU-I sponsors over 450 campus tournaments
throughout the United States. The campus winners then advance to compete in regional
tournaments. Each region then sends the top male and female player to the Nationals, this years
being the first one since 1982 thanks in large part to National Program Director Bob Tretheways
involvement. These Nationals will be held Apr. 25-27 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado
Springs.
Maybe ACU-I winners could get college scholarships from interested sponsors? Earlier,
Bob had been at an Oklahoma City meeting
with Stigas Bengt Andersson and Tomas
Berner, and Ron Shirley, and Christian
Lillieroos. Hed hoped they might help him in
some way with his ACU-I and Junior College
programs
Bobs follow-up will include a talk with
Steve Kong at Princeton University to see
about establishing a network of support people
at ACU-I affiliated universities. Why go to
Princeton? Kong gives us (TTT, Sept.-Oct.,
1986, 28) some pertinent background:
The Eastern Intercollegiate Table
Tennis League was formed in 1971 by some
Ivy schools. It was soon expanded to include
colleges outside the Ivy League. Throughout
the 1970s the League grew steadily and by
1980 it had 14 teams.
Poor organization in the early 80s
resulted in the dwindling of the size of the
League to four teams in 1985. The following
387

year Princeton University took over the running of the League. Through good planning and massive
advertising, the 1986 League championships, held at Princetons Dillon Gym in February, attracted
10 teams and more than 60 players. The tournament was sanctioned by the USTTA for the first time
in League history and close to 30 college players became new members of the USTTA. Many
teams that came to the tournament were newly formed and not funded by their colleges. After the
tournament, some of them successfully convinced their athletic departments to give them financial
support.
Princeton will host the 1987 League Championships on Apr. 4-5, 1987.
As for the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), Tretheway, who again
deserves our thanks for making significant inroads, says 140 of 224 schools at least show interest.
Our goal, he says, is to have TT sanctioned by the NJCAA as a varsity sport. More on this later as
developments occur.
Bowie Martin fared far better than those I had to write discouragingly to. The E.C. agreed
to give his Wilson County Junior Program a second month. The E.C. also agreed that if the USOC
canceled our Lake Placid Program, Bowies Program would be fully funded a third month. And so it
was.
Another positive: Lou Bochenski is planning a huge grass-roots (Under 1700)
tournamenta kind of mail-order tournament in which 100,000 contestants play where they can,
when they can, and record round-by-round results until, as the months go by, the survivors are
whittled down until only the strongest remain. He then hopes that maybe a very limited field might
play at Colorado Springs [where Tretheway is increasingly making the most of the advantages that
the USOC site can provide us with].
The entry fee is $3 per playerwith
$1.50 going towards a Cancer Society Charity.
In running this tournament, Lou, who hopes to
make daughter Judy Chairperson of the event,
will cooperate with the USTTA, sharing all
names and addresses of participants. Ive
known Lou a long time and have a high regard
for him. I want him to work with us, want us to
work with him. I wrote the requisite USTTAcooperation-to-the-fullest letter for him, with a
copy to his NYC Charity contact, Sally
Fleming, whom I understand Bob Tretheway
has also talked to.
Oh, ohBob didnt like my show of
support for this All-Comers tournament, and
Dan and Judy Bochenski Hoarfrost
would have disliked even more the Feb. 24th
personal letter I sent to Lou praising him and telling him how enthusiastic I am and people Ive
talked to are about his project. I can think of no better way of advertising our much enjoyed but as
yet little understood Olympic sport, of bringing it so excitingly to the average, naturally competitive
American, than through your (men, women, children) All Comers Tournament. It will be a great
learning experience for you and your staff, and for all the helpers we ourselves can round up for
you.
388

Tretheway wrote me, A thorough review of Lous proposal should be the first step before
committing the USTTA to fullest cooperation. Perhaps you have done this [gee, no, I havent] and
can provide figures as to how much this will cost the USTTA in man hours, materials, postage, etc.
The concept is interesting and should be fully explored.
This response did not sit well with me. Bob, I answered back, its Lous proposal, not
the USTTAs. Ive not suggested wed be in any way a partner with him in this venture. Hes doing
us a favor by sharing the 100,000 names he might well get to play in his tournament. Why the hell
wouldnt we want to cooperate with him to the fullest? Youre nit-picking. You sure seem to me
again and again reluctant to share power. Thats a bad mind-set. [Bob and I definitely at times are
at odds. Is that noticeable?]
I risked helping Lou by elaborating what Id learned about his tournament in my MarchApril Up Front column in TTT:
Lous Cancer Society Im a Winner nationwide tournament looks to have over
1,000,000 entriesso Lous a winner too.
Entry blanks and packets will go to all enclosed malls, fire stations, youth organizations,
recreation centers, colleges, boy scout organizations, schools, churches, senior centers, factories,
golf and country clubs, athletic clubs, fraternal organizationsin short, will go almost everywhere.
These packets will include table tennis and tournament rules, info on obtaining tournament
tables, and names and phone numbers of table tennis clubs and volunteer helpers in each entrants
area. Also, Run Your Own Cancer Society Tournament kits will be sent all over the country.
The unique features of this tournament are (1) entries will continue to be accepted three to
four months after the tournament has actually started, even while some contestants are playing their
third-or-fourth-round match, and (2) Tournament Chair Judy Bochenski Hoarfrost from her Oregon
computer-base will postcard-direct entrants to play their match anywhere, but preferably at such
public places as schools, Ys, department stores, factories, tennis clubs, and especially at the over
2500 major enclosed shopping malls in the U.S. Any particular months Mall Champion, wearing a
Cancer Society T-shirt, playing on a local Sears or J.C. Penney table, and receiving a Mall
merchandise prize, would help generate a lot of media attention, including the TV-filming of matches.
Sports celebrities, like George Foster of the N.Y. Mets, could help promote a local Play and Fight
Cancer tournament and spectators could be given table tennis cards (like baseball cards) with a
color photo and bio of each states best player.
The USTTA, with the help of the Optimist Club, will assist Lou, Judy, and appointed City,
State, and Regional Directors. The very last rounds of this tournament will be held at the U.S.
Olympic Complex in Colorado Springswith each players airfare and accommodations provided.
A one-week Training Camp at Colorado Springs with a National Coach is to be awarded the Junior
Regional winners. And for the Champions themselves, theres talk of an automobile, or a trip to the
88 Olympic Games.
So when Lou asks you to play for a good cause, youll play, eh? Meanwhile the IDEA of
this huge tournament and the FOLLOW-UP necessary for its completion is just staggering. Talk
about USTTA visibility! Miraculous way to go, Lou.
I also in that March-April column thoughtwhat have I got to lose?Id give
Sacramentos James Therriaults ideas about creating a new visibility for the USTTA some
breathing room:
James wants to offer the E.C. and the most intensely interested of our members both an
Image-making Tournament Circuit and a priority-oriented Youth Development plan.
389

Jamess idea is that, starting in Jan., 1987,

we run a professional 20-tournament, 10-city
prize-money Circuit ($50,000 for 1st-Place,
$9,000 for 16th) in conjunction with which 10
Coordinator/Coaches would each get $10,000 a
year. The youthful, exuberant Therriault would
hope to get the (basketball arena) playing venues
FREE, and to sell 10,000 $4 seats for EACH
event (two tournament events in an eight-day span
in each city).
After the Circuit players move on, the
Coordinator/Coaches, along with the
manufacturers equipment donated to the local
Club, remain, so that these Coordinator/Coaches
James Therriault
can build youth programs for at least 1,000 juniors
Photo by Mal Anderson
on the groundwork-publicity gained by the Circuit
and the top players(mandatory) week-long exhibitions in the schools.
James says, Why not try this idea, or some modification of it? Try it in one section of the
countryin, say, Sacramento, Portland, Seattle, Los Angeles, Denver, Houston, Dallas, San
Antonio, and Phoenixand see what happens. Make Dream become Reality.
Rebuffs at the ready or not, I hope enough influential people in our sport are encouraged as
I am by such imaginative proposals from the membership as Ive gotten since becoming President.
Will it take only the young, the intense, the self-financed to ever bring progress about?
SELECTED NOTES.
*I received a Mar. 3rd letter from someone I didnt know, an Attorney at Law, who
complained that for his $20 USTTA membership hed received nothing but a flimsy membership
card and no January or any other 86 issue of the magazine. To this I replied, Yeah, thats not
good. You should get at least a welcoming letter. I also explained that the magazines in a transition
time, but that he should have received the Jan.-Feb. issue by now.
He then wrote, I feel I am justified in asking (demanding) for that portion of my
membership fee which covers the magazine subscription. My justification comes from the fact that
the president of the USTTA [thats me] never issued refunds for the table tennis newspaper he
started several months ago. This did not sit well with me, and I replied, Youre wrong. Everyone
had eight issues sent themwhat they paid for. My last issue was nearly two years ago.
He went on, My justification also refers to The Great Wiggys Scam of 1985. Are those
that were suckered into year-long subscriptions going [to] receive refunds? To this I replied,
That you have to take up with Scott Bakke. Thats not USTTA business.
On Mar. 15th I received another letter from this lawyerthis time bringing up points Id
made in my reply to him.
With regard to my comment, Yeah, thats not good. You should get at least a welcoming
letter, he wrote, Yeah, I should have expected such arrogance. If you paid attention to the needs
of the members, you would have friends, not enemies.
I sent back a Mar. 22nd letter which closed the exchange between us. To the charge directly
390

above, I protested that I wasnt being ironic, sarcastic, or arrogant. Friends? Enemies? Such is
life. My life anyway.
He continued commenting. As it turned out, he did receive his issue of Topicsyesterday
[Mar. 14th]. How convenient it was to combine January and February issues! he said. March
should have been included also (after all, it is Mar. 15th). I still have not received the Dec., 85 issue.
Does that mean [in your particular, private method of getting out and numbering issues] I will
receive the Jan., 86 issue? I replied that I dont know why you didnt get the Dec., 85 issue of
SPIN, Ill rectify that. Then I explained why we went with a two-month issue.
He said, I did not intend to accuse you falsely, but I can identify three (Michigan)
subscribers who claim they did not receive eight individual issues. [Likely] these individuals are
entitled to a portion of their subscription fee.
I stood by what Id said beforethey were sent out to everyone who was entitled to them.
It is, however, QUITE possible some subscribers didnt get all the issuesit happened again and
again for the 14 years I was an editor. But Ive no control over that, over postal problems in some
areas. Again and again I sent out another issue to anyone who complained. Of the hundreds of
subscribers I had, only one, in California, who thought he should get his money back. He wrote me,
nine months after Id given up the magazine and was into my Presidency, that hed gotten only one
issue of Timmys. I thought he was way out of line, but I gave him his money back.
The lawyer continued with his case. He insisted that his problem with Scotts private
publication, Wiggys, was USTTA business because Scott was now the Editor of the USTTA
magazine. Who is responsible for hiring a con artist? he asked. Why are you closing your eyes to
this? Do you have something to gain by this situation? Do others? Just how corrupt is the USTTA?
If this issue had more significance, I would seriously consider suing Scott Bakke and the USTTA for
fraud and misrepresentation. As President of the USTTA, you should concentrate on turning
negative images into positive ones. You should be ashamed. Your organization reeks of deception,
corruption, and inept management. I am willing to forget this incident (and my association with the
USTTA) if I receive a complete refund. While I am willing to forget, I am also willing to see justice.
I imagine any number of Presidents would simply ignore this uninformed manbut Im not
one of them. I wrote back, I think poor Scott had so few subscribers (how much money do you
think he or his backers lost?) that almost all of them would wish him well. Hes obviously an
innocentno one other than yourself has made any complaint to me. If people want their money
back, let them take it up with ScottIve every reason to think hell be cooperative. What in the
world is $15-20? Especially when Scotts motives are beyond question. He wants to give the
membership the best product he can. His real payment is that hes done a good job and people
enjoy Topics.
I dont think of the USTTA as being corrupt at all. I cant imagine a more honest
administration. Anyway, I am trying to turn your negative image of us into a positive one. I tell you
Im not ashamedI dont think my organization is corrupt, or even mildly deceptive. As for inept
managementwell, perhaps.
O.K., I enclose a check for $20.

391

Chapter Twenty-Six
1986: Khoa Nguyen Stars in ACU-I National Intercollegiates. 1986: April
Tournaments. 1986: Teekaveerakit/Bhushan Win Louisiana Open.
Professor/President Boggan Offers Dignifed Greetings to the ACU-I Student-Players:
I, Tim, personally of course wish all you students well. More than 30 years ago, sometime
after Id enrolled in Ohio State for a semester and shot pool all day long, I not once but twice won
this National Intercollegiate Table Tennis Championship.And look at me now: older, heavier, a
professorial 2100. Does this inspire any of you?
Never mind. Im glad youre here. And Im very pleased that the ACU-I has revived the
Grand Finale of this prestigious tournament. Thanks Barry Wilson, thanks Bob Brookover for your
help. I also want to praise USTTA National Program Director Bob Tretheway and his staff for their
enthusiastic support and hard work. And this USOC gymits great, huh? If you cant play well
herewell, you wont win the title.
I want, and Im sure Bob T. wants, this ACU-I tournament to be a major Championship on
our yearly calendar. And looking at all you players here Im sure it can be. I know you put first
things first. I know you realize how important it is to cut classes and practice, practice, practice.
So keep at it, go out there and do your best. And, hey, you want a Letter of
Recommendation from me? Well, win an intense match or two, lose your temper just a little, and
read a poem by Keats.
[Tims write-up of this tournament (TTT, May/June, 1986,
31-32) follows:]
The Association of College Unions-International had
run their U.S. Collegiate Championships for 11 years through
1982until Halex-Sportcraft-Stiga suddenly withdrew their
sponsorship to the meaningful culmination of it allthe muchlooked-forward-to National Championship.
Now, after a three-year hiatus, thanks to USTTA National
Program Director Bob Tretheway and his liaison work with
Larry McCollum of the USOC and Barry Wilson, Gail
Tyler, and Bob Brookover of the ACU-I (Brookover said
that 3,149 students had participated in qualifying play), 32
Regional winners16 men and 16 women from all over the countrywere able to come to the
Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center, April 25-27, for a very well-planned and its hoped
from now on an increasingly prestigious National Championships.
Many of the participantsalmost half of whom didnt have USTTA ratings, but all of
whom had to be USTTA members to play in this Finalnever had it so good. They were
picked up at the airport, helped by a USOC host or hostess into their dorm, and received their
meal tickets and player kits. Then they could practice at the beautiful Sports Center site theyd
be playing their matches in, after which it was time for a good nights sleep. Then, up for it
the grueling (maybe 14 matches) tournament day. Followed by the not-to-be-missed Rocky
Rococo pizza and Miller Time beer party (where Teresa Tretheway for one showed her
appreciation to the DJ by dancing her way through this or that parenthesis of talk). Then some
sleep. And finally, before whirling homeward, a special Awards Brunch. Here there was
392

something for everyone, even those who didnt win plaquesa Slide Show of all the singularly
inimitable players in tournament action.
In Singles play there would be two round robin groups of 8. The #1 and #2 finishers from
each group would then play criss-cross semis matches to set up a final. All Doubles play would be
single elimination.
As the players warmed up prior to beginning their matches, the Sports Centers electric
scoreboard flashed out an Olympic Training Center Welcome. Then, talk about your name in
lightsGail Callahan, University of ConnecticutHector Hornedo, Southern Missouri
StateFarhad Hooshmand, Southern IllinoisEdwardsvilleLisa Lennis, North Dakota
StateBarbara Meyer, University of IllinoisChicago. Individual acknowledgement was given
each of the 32 players.
And for those without whom the tournament couldnt have
been run, who didnt get their name in lights? Thanks to ubiquitous
Operations Staff workers Teresa Tretheway, Bobs wife, and
Lavon Tretheway, Bobs mother. Thanks to our ever-helpful
Colorado Springs personnelEmily and Ann, volunteer Eleanor
Croft, and intern turned much appreciated PR man George Conniff.
Thanks to local Resident Training Program staff and playersthe
Ais, Mark Kennedy, Randy Kiser, Larry Hodges (who said that since
the actual playing date was Apr. 26th, he, Larry, would umpire
precisely 26 matches), the Gee sisters, Toni Gresham, Gene Lonnon
(who said he didnt expect his Aunt June to come see him now in
April), Chris Fullbright, Chi Ngo, and Chi-Ming Chui. Thanks to local
Colorado Springs club officersthe tournaments Technical Director
Larry Rose, the Chief Umpire John Garnett, Norm Silver, Debbie
Moya, Jean Garnett, Brian Bogren, Richard Mills, and Jason Neve.
Larry Hodges
Oh, it just occurred to me
do YOU want to be an International Umpire? Heres a question that
came up. If, in doubles, the attacker loops a ball off the table, but
(Paddle Point! PADDLE POINT!) it hits not the defenders racket
but the defenders partners racket, who wins the point?the
attacking or defending side? International answer: the defenders win
the point. So, good call USTTA Umpires Chair Tom Miller.
Meanwhile, no need for the Handbook next to the heart, but where
in blue blazers and all his ironic aplomb was Toms mistakenly-routed
luggage?
Be patientthe day would bring italong eventually with
the winners of the tournament.
Womens Singles
In one Womens Group, New Jersey Champ Ai-ju Wu, rated 1819,
was the favorite to win. The next best player in the Group was
former Jamaican Champion Nadine Senn Yuen, who, before taking a
break from competition, had played for years in Florida tournaments.
Tom Miller
She was not known to the Tournament Committee, however, and the
discovery of her 1638 rating had been delayed until all the match slips had already been written and
393

shed been
placed
alphabetically, as
it were, at the
very bottom of
her Group and so
had to play Wu in
reverse order, in
the first instead of
the last match.
Ai-ju, who said
Nadine Senn Yuen
she hadnt
touched a racket in four weeks [why not?] was very tight, to the point
of being almost disinterestedly standoffish, and was hitting and missing
Ai-ju Wu
forehands from it seemed a too upright position. Match uncontestedly
Photo by Mal Anderson
to Yuenwhereupon one brash fellow said, Last time I played
Nadine I beat her in a chair. Thats in a chair, not with a chair. So much for Nadine, huh? Not to
mention Ai-ju, whom I still thought, with her attacking serve and follow, would win the Womens.
Some of the women players in this (as well as the other) Group were rec room backhandpush immobile and so had little or no chance against the technically advanced or even the more
intense players. Only Virginia Techs 32-year-old Karen Dannis, on beating Tsui-ping Wei of the
University of Houston (Sweet Ping I called her) had an outsiders chance. If, with her 5-1 record,
she could upset Nadine 2-0, shed force a three-way 6-1 tie with Wu and Yuen and could
conceivably advance on points. But although Karen put up a tenacious, left leg up on every pushpush-push return, and although, with what Nadine exasperatingly called her board racket, she was
actually leading 17-15 in one game, but eventually lost the match two straight.
In the other Womens Groupthough one was faced with (Shan Nuang from Cal State
Northridge, Louise Peng from the GM Institute in Flint, MI, and Irene Molnar from Cornell)
unknown Chinese and Hungarian possibilities?there were no ringers, and the two top seeds, both
27 and experienced tournament players, prevailed here too.
Chandrika Ghosh (pronounced Chan-DREE-kuh GO-shh) sported black
socks, as if she were new to the tournament scene, but, like well-known
North American players Rupa Bannerjee or Kalavatha Panda, she has one of
those snap-hit forehands that shed learned playing against the best women
players in India. Her lefty opponent, Asta Urbancic (pronounced OW-stuh
Urr-BAHN-chetch), was a former Icelandic Champion and now a graduate
student in UR-ban (cic) Geography at the University of Maryland. She was
primarily a steady push-the-ball-around defensive player who, if an opening
presented itself, could slow-loop from either side. Down 1-0 and 19-16 in the
second, Ghosh tied it up.At 21-all, Asta slow-looped a backhand off that
untied Ghoshs shoelace, but then icy Asta scored with a slow forehand loop.
Rupa Bannerjee
Match finally to Urbancic, 24-22.
As her criss-cross semis was about to get underway, Asta smiled real friendly-like to Ai-ju and
said, Yes, I do need to hit a few against thatWus short blue Friendship attacking pips. But it was Aiju who needed practice. In the beginning, she just wasnt stepping around to hit her forehand, and then
when she did, she seldom fully completed the stroke, and never did snap herself out of her seeming lethargy.
394

In the other criss-cross semis, Ghosh, who two weeks earlier had prepared for this
tournament by playing in a Mens Team Championship in Albuquerque, where she attends the
University of New Mexico (Masters in Chemistry, another coming up in Business), was beginning to
find her forehand against Yuen. Nadine seemed to realize this, for, in an effort to wrest the attack,
she literally flailed away at forehand after forehand and, as the score showed, there wasnt any
percentage in that.
In the final, Chandrikas attack was just too four-game overpowering for
Asta, who woke up, as she said, only in the third. At the end, Ghosh, who
comes from Calcutta (a couple of years ago, she saw Eric Boggan play there
Are you related to him?) and who has an avuncular good friend in M.C.
Chowhan, the Hon. Secretary of the Table Tennis Federation of India, began to
look something like the player shed been 10 years ago. I played eight years at
a National level, she told me, and long ago I made up my mind I didnt want to
get serious again, didnt ever want that kind of stress again. I really didnt want
to come here for this tournament, but since Id won the Qualifier, was playing not
M.C. Chowhan
just for myself but for the Region, and since it was a chance to see the Olympic
Complex at Colorado Springs, I came. And I wonI cant believe it!
Womens Doubles
Also having a Pinch-me, Im-dreaming time were Womens Doubles winners (in both the
Mens and Womens Doubles, all the partnerships, as in the National Sports Festival, were made as
evenly matched as possible) Karen Tompson of the University of Missouri and her pick-up partner
Montana States 33-year-old Karen Chin, who, years ago, was the San Diego Elementary
Schoolgirl Champ, perhaps with that same Hock hard-rubber bat she used here. They rallied from
15-5 down in the third to defeat Ghosh and Ball States Brenda Wenzai, then rallied again to down
Dannis and not quite magically- capped Falola Alimont in three in the final.This is fun! said one
winning Karen to the other. Ive never won a National Championship before. Oh, Karen, said
the other, Look at the plaquestheyre huge.
Mixed Doubles
Wu, who had lost again to Yuen in their play-off match for third place in the Singles, did win
a first in Mixed Doubles with area partner, 1985 U.S. Maccabiah Team member Eyal Adini. They
survived a three-game scare from Floridas Ron Rigo and Yuen (Nadine said that up 1-0 but down
20-19 in the second, partner Ronnie swiped at the ball as if all aslant he were swinging from a
chair). Then they were in more three-game trouble when David Chun, partnered with Ghosh, was
for a while beautifully attacking Adinis serves.
Mens Doubles
The winners of the Mens Doubles were Khoa Nguyen (2505) and Dave Alt (1936). Dave,
particularly, was delightedhed had a difficult time getting his Oakland University in Rochester, MI
to fund him, and now, having won the title (with of course, as he was well aware, more than a
modest assist from his partner), he was vindicated. Yes, he said humbly, this is my first National
Championshipand probably my last. Khoa and Dave just got by Syracuse City Champ Craig
Bensch and his Indonesian partner Setio Nugroho, an oil-scholarship student at the Colorado
School of Mines, 19 in the third in the semis. They then went on to defeat Bobby Russell of
Louisiana State and Hung Pham of Portland State in the final. Tan Vinh of Marquette and Aka
395

Bobby Russell
Photo by
Mal Anderson

Pettersson of the
University of
Minnesota scored a
fine 19-in-the-third
win over Pikes
Peak C.C. star
David Chun and
Tao Jianming of
Clemson, but could
finish no better than
fourth.

Mens Singles
In the Mens Singles, the four top seeds advanced
Ben Nisbet
to the criss-crossbut not without an occasional struggle
in one of the two round robin Groups. Californian Khoa
Nguyen, last years National Sports Festival runner-up, went about his mission, again and again
moving gracefully into forehand-attack position to do in all his opponents. But second-place finisher
Ben Nisbet of George Washington had a struggle with Russell, had, one might say in winning, a
serious block against Bobbys fast, flat loop, then had to come from behind against Colorado
Springs RTPer Chun (whod also beaten Russellfrom, ohh, match-point down). What with school
and working 35 hours a week in mutual funds, Ben hasnt had much time for table tennis. Still, after
losing the 19-all first game to David, Nisbet kept up the forehand pressure and Chun began
passively blocking. In the third, David was off to a 4-0 start, had Ben kicking the table and umpire
Garnett warning him, but he couldnt hold the lead. Then at mid-game, after two good forehands,
David failed to return 1-2-3-4-5 straight serves! And the match was over.
In the other round
robin Group, with
one match to play
against John Allen,
Adini, at 6-0, was
safely in. However,
Allen at 5-1, was
threatened with a
three-way 5-2 tie,
for earlier Ake
Pettersson, looping
Eyal Adini
John Allen
Ron Rigo
ball after ball off the
table, had lost 2-0 to Rigo, who kept calling Ake Ache. (More than one participant was saying
that, if youre not used to the Colorado Springs altitude, it was difficult to open a point here.) But
against Allen, Rigo, with an 8-2 lead in the first and a 19-all chance in the second, was unable to
stop safely pushing and blocking and so himself had lost two straight. Symetrically, Allen,
too, had gone down 2-0 to Pettersson. Which meant, if Allen lost to Adini, the three-way tie
would have to be broken by pointsin which case (who could figure it out?...why Larry
Hodges of course) Rigos 76-72 (51.35%) was infinitesimally better than Allens 80-76
(51.28%).
396

Eyals match with Allen was very important to Adini too, for, if he lost, hed also lose the 61 head-to-head Group tiebreaker for first and would have to play not 2199 Nisbet in the semis but
2505 Nguyena big difference. Eyal hadnt been able to get, and still couldnt get, two umpires for
any of his matches. (What if everyone wanted two? There would not be near enough to go round.
That was the consistent if theoretical position the Umpire Team held to). As a result, Eyal was
irritated, felt that because the umpire couldnt see the ball he was half the time unfairly being
deprived of his forehand serves. Perhaps psychologically it was a help to Allen that at 18-17 in the
third Adini was serving [and couldnt serve forehands?]. At any event, John rose to the occasion
and, to a good-humored thumbs-down shrug from the deprived Rigo, ran out the match.
As the deciding Mens and Womens matches were about ready to be played, and Bob
Tretheway was preparing to do the TV color commentary, Coach Christian Lillieroos was showing
an appreciative Cablevision team how to best set up their cameras to cover the matches.
In the one semis, Nguyen was too straight-game strong for Adinithough Eyal did get to
171819 in the second before pushing Khoas swerve into the net.
In the other semis, the two lefties Allen and Nisbet split the first two couldnt-have-beencloser games. In the first, Nisbet rallied from 14-9 down, only to be stopped 21-19. In the second,
up 19-16, he just held on to win. In the third, from 16-all, John got in a perfect well-covered, crosscourt forehand and when, in a moment, Ben pushed an Allen serve into the net and then himself
promptly served another there, the gameand, soon after, the matchwas Allens.
The 11, 15, 12 final, won by Nguyen, was anticlimactic. Indeed, half the hundreds of
spectators had already left: an hour, an hour and a half of these matches was enough for many of
them. However, I did overhear one little boy who left early say excitedly to Bob Tretheway, My
dad says were going to buy a table!
Next morning, the Awards Day, sure enough, the local Gazette Telegraph, had a Sports
Page action pic of Nguyen and a nice story (When you first start, Khoa was being quoted, you
dont know how good you can become in this sport. Like in most
other others there is no such thing as an overnight success. It takes
a lot of hard work to succeed). But when I went into the 10:00
a.m. Brunch, neither Khoa nor any of the other players had
thought to get a paper. It wasnt that they didnt have 50 cents to
put into the newspaper vending machine opposite the Sports
Center, or that they didnt care if a table tennis article was written
or not, for, when I showed it to them, they read it avidly. It was
just that it apparently hadnt
Jeff Steif
occurred to anyone that such a
National Championship story could
be the length of an everyday
gymnasium away.
Winners at Table Tennis Worlds
Apr. 5-6 Spring Open: Open
Singles: Final R.R.: 1. Duc Luu, 3-0
(d. Tran, 12, 19; d. Steif, 20, 5; d.
Schmidt, 8, 21). 2. De Tran, 2-1 (d.
Steif, 19, -13, 17; d. Schmidt, 16, 20, 18). 3. Jeff Steif, 1-2 (d.
397

U.S. Intercollegiate Champion

Khoa Nguyen
Photo by Robert Compton

Schmidt, 17, 15). 4. Avishy Schmidt, 0-3. U-2200s: Final R.R.: 1. Steif, 2-0 (d. Tran, 13, -13,
18; d. Tajima, 15, 14). 2. Tran, 1-1 (d. Tajima, 25, -20, 12). 3. Masaaki Tajima, 0-2. U-2050s:
Final R.R.: 1. Anthony Streutker , 3-0 (d. Lam, 14, 15; d. Senter, 18, 16; d. Feri, 7, 18).
Streutkers 16, a wiry, 62 who catches the spectators ear and eye with his footstamps, loops and
lobs. 2. Al Senter, 1-2 (d. Feri, 15, 12). 3. Jeff Feri, 1-2 (d. Lam, -5, 18, 19). 4. John Lam, 1-2 (d.
Senter, 16, -19, 13). U-1900s: Final R.R.: 1. Allen McDermott, 3-0 (d. J. Goodwin, 10, 18; d. A.
Streutker, 15, 13; d. T. Miller, 20, -25, 17). 2. Jim Goodwin, 2-1 (d. A. Streutker, 12, -13, 22; d.
T. Miller, 17, 16). 3. Anthony Streutker, 1-2 (d. T. Miller, def.). 4. Tom Miller, 0-3. U-1750s:
Final: Senter d. Peter Lam, 12, -13, 11. U-1600s: Final: Naomichi Arai d. Young Yoo, -15, 14, 21.
U-1450s: Final: LeRoy Yoder d. Don Streutker, 15, 15.
Bob Partridge tells us (TTT, May-June, 1986, 35) that this years Golden State Open,
played Apr. 19-20 in Concord, CA, had the biggest entry ever (165 players) of the 12 so far
annually played. Moreover, Bob was proud of the fact that each days play finished before 9:00
p.m.
Results: Open Singles: Final:
Quang Bui ($500) d. Khoa
Quang Bui
Nguyen, 20, 19, 16. Semis: Bui d.
Ricky Seemiller, 18, -14, 16, -17,
14; Nguyen d. Carlo Brignardello,
-6, 18, 19, 20. Khoa didnt look
at the top of his game, probably
because of an eye injury from an
elbow in a basketball game.
Quarters: Bui d. Julie Au, 16, 17,
-16, 21; Seemiller d. Erwin Hom,
8, 10, 10; Nguyen d. Masaru
Hashimoto, 18, 16, 10;
Brignardello d. Duc Luu, 15, 10,
21. Womens: Final R.R. 1. Au
($100), 3-0 (d. Krites, 7, 17; d.
Julie Au
K. Arai, 8, 5; d. M. Lui, 8, 12). 2.
Photo by
Canadas Sheryl Krites ($50), 2-1 (d. M. Lui, -20, 14, 10; d. K. Arai, 18, 16).
Terry Canup
3. Mariana Lui, 1-2 (d. K. Arai, 14, 12). 4. Keiko Arai, 0-3. Open Doubles:
Final: Seemiller/Bui d. Khoa/Khoi Nguyen, 19, 17, 13. Semis: Seemiller/Bui d. Luu/De Tran, 18, 19, 18; Nguyens d. Brignardello/Au, 23, 11. Esquires: 1. Leo Egal, 4-0. 2. George Weamer, 3-1
(lost to Egal, -16, 14, -9). 3. Pat Aubry, 2-2. 4. Ray Christopherson, 1-3. 5. Ken Cook, 0-4.
Seniors: Final: Bard Brenner d. Mike Greene, 17, 10, 18. Semis: Brenner d. Tom Miller, 13, 10;
Greene d. Azmy Ibrahim, 16, -14, 17. Juniors (17 &U): Final: Anthony Streutker d. Shu-Hsien
Lin, 14, -17, -20, 19, 22. Semis: Streutker d. Kataro Arai, -17, 13, 19; Lin d. Naomichi Arai, 7,
21.
U-2400s: Final: Brignardello ($150) d. Luu, 11, -13, 16. Semis: Brignardello d.
Hashimoto, 17, 16; Luu d. Avishy Schmidt, 18, 18. U-2200s: Final: Hashimoto d. Jeff Steif, -16,
12, 14, 16. Semis: Hashimoto d. James Therriault, 24, 25; Steif d. Tran, 13, 17. U-2000s: Final:
John Schneider d. Khoi Nguyen, 15, 17, 21. Semis: Schneider d. Ibrahim, 11, 15; Nguyen d.
George Sanguinetti, 15, 12. U-1850s: Final: Qi-Ming Gao d. Alan Kwong, 16, 18. Semis: Gao d.
398

Kenny Tien, 16, 12; Kwong d. Hung Luong, 16, 18. U-1750s: Final: Luong d. Tony Ha, -11, 18, 22, 20, 11. Semis: Ha d. Vinh Thanh Le, 17, -16, 20. U-3400 Doubles: Final: Luong/William Lee
d. Peter Szeto/Kent Leung, -9, 15, 15, 18. Semis: Luong/Lee d. John Franicevich/Voltaire Trillo,
17, -13, 19; Szeto/Leung d. Kim Tam/Geoff Harvey, 20, 12. U-1550s: Final: Harvey d. Le, 19,
20, 15. Semis: Harvey d. Szeto, 15, 18; Le d. Ha, -12, 19, 18. U-1400s: Final: Nelson Mak d.
Fred Kurtz, 12, -16, 18, -19, 20. Semis: Mak d. Ray Thang, 17, 6; Kurtz d. Don Streutker, 12,
15. U-2800 Doubles: Final: Ron Buxton/Rich Butler d. Ken Frankel/Franicevich, -16, 23, -14, 18,
15. Semis: Buxton/Butler d. Chuck Smith/Steve Garritano, 14, -18, 19; Frankel/Franicevich d.
Kurtz/Kim Chan, 19, 15. U-1250s: Final: Thang d. Garritano, 14, 12, -12, 17. Semis: Thang d.
Billy Chin, 11, 14; Garritano d. Bill Roberson, 7, 11. U-1100s: Final: Curtis Lunsford d. Ou-Yen
Thai, -14, 15, 12. Semis: Lunsford d. Garritano, 19, -15, 14; Thai d. Krites, 14, -18, 16.
Cliff Metzger reports on the Central U.S.A. Closed (a.k.a. The Salina 600
Air-Mile Closed), held Apr. 26 at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, KS. Over
70 contestants competed in the Singles on 12 tables set up in the Bob Muir Gym.
Results: Championship Singles: Final: Todd Petersen (the first to successfully defend
his Championship title in this annual tourney) over Houshang Bozorgzadeh, 17, 19,
18. Stefan Zalarek and Tong Chan, both from Oklahoma, finished third and fourth respectively. The
Championship Doubles went to Bozorgzadeh/Carsten Kobisch over Zolarek/Kelly Boyce.
Other Results: As: 1. Kobisch. 2. Wes Wolfe. 3. Floyd McCammon. 4. Jim French. Bs: 1.
Ngoc Cao. 2. David Rogers. 3. Hung Luong. 4. Donald Haskand. Cs: 1. Lloyd Layton. 2. Rashid
Hasan. 3. Marty Hess. 4. Donald Reinerston. Ds: 1. Bill Conrad, Sr. 2. Brad Adams. Semis: Bob
Alumbaugh and Brad Unruh. Es: 1. Jarry Petterson. 2. Ron Montandon. Semifinalists: Chuck
Mueller and Allen Hill. JuniorsDiv. 1: 1. Steve Jin. 2. Aaron Nonaka. JuniorsDiv. 2: 1. Todd
Bownam. 2. Tim McClintock.
Point Leaders (as of 4/86) in the Howard County Circuit being played in Columbia, MD:
1. S. Chakraborty (67). 2. R. Kablonsky (41). 3.-4. P. Basu (39). 3.-4. M. McAllister (39). 5. S.
El-Hallal (24). 6. R. Emmons (23). 7.-8. P. Lui (22). 7.-8. E.
Haring (22).
Tom Loop (not an alias) covers the Apr. 6th Princeton
Spring Open for us (TTT, May-June, 1986, 33). It was the first
open tournament organized by the Princeton University TTC
and drew 74 entries from five states. Results: Open Singles:
Final: George Cameron (the surprise winner of the day) over
Enoch Green, -15, 15, 17, in the semis, and John Sisti, 15, -21,
18, in the final, after John had upset 300-point favorite Barry
Dattel in his semis. U-2000s: Final: Heng Tsang over George
Holz, 10, 18. U-1850s: Final: Mike Rose over Holz, 18, 15.
Semis: Rose over Marvin Plevinsky, -15, 18, 18; Holz over
Ralph Vescera, -17, 15, 19. U-1700s: Final: Andre Liu over
Rose, -10, 17, 14. Semis: Liu over Joan Fu, -15, 16, 18; Rose
over Bill Darmofal, -10, 18, 10. U-1550s: Final: Erich Haring
over Ahmad Goketlov, 21, 11. U-1450s: Final: Haring over
Robert Ertel, 8, 18. Semis: Haring over Atul Shah; Ertel over
399

Princeton Spring Open Winner

George Cameron
Photo by Mal Anderson

Horst Zodrow, 21, -20, 19. U-1250s: Final: Hung Ly over Barrington Sharpe, 15, 7. Semis: Ly
over Burnie Douglas, 13, 9; Sharpe over Norman Schmidt, 9, 9. Doubles [listed as U-1100
Singles]: Final: Rose/Loop over Liu/Caroline Feng, 14, 16. Semis: Rose/Loop over Sisti/Brian
Ertel, -19, 19, 19; Liu/Feng over Shah/Ly, 18, 20.
Winners at the George Hellerman Open, played Apr. 12-13 at Westfield, NJ: Open Singles:
Final: Rey Domingo over Brian Eisner, 18, 17, -17, 21. Semis: Domingo over George Brathwaite,
-14, -14, 14, 19, 20; Eisner over Eyal Adini, -17, -18, 19, 14, 19. Quarters: Domingo over John
Allen, 13, 12, 14; Brathwaite over Seamus Clarke, -14, 16, 19, 14; Eisner over John Shareshian,
8, 10, 7; Adini over Barry Dattel, -16, 16, -17, 17, 14. Open Doubles: Final: Brathwaite/Bill
Sharpe over Dattel/Clarke, 16, -14, 20. Semis: Brathwaite/Sharpe over Domingo/Vicky Wong,
18, -18, 17; Dattel/Clarke over Pal Wessel/Christian Lillieroos, 16, 11. U-2100s: John Sisti over
Westphal Daley, 16, -19, 5, -7, 15. Semis: Sisti over Marta Zurowski, 14, -18, 11; Daley over
John Andrade, -14, 19, 16. U-1850s: George Hellerman over Lloyd Nesfield, 14, 20. Semis:
Hellerman over Don Miller, 11, 10; Nesfield over Mike Murphy, 14, -19, 15. [Ive the strong
feeling that Editor Bakke, because of space limitations, eliminated some of the event-results of
tournaments that were reported in TTT, including this one.]
Here, before I, Tim, give you my
write-up of the Louisiana Open, is a
prelude-article, More Power to Power, by
Fort Walton Beach, FLs Tom Wintrich
(TTT, May-June, 1986, 20):
During my SPIN editorship, I wrote a
front-page article that was very critical of Power
Poon and his 1985 Louisiana Open. I regretted
then that I felt compelled to run such a negative
story, especially given Powers decade-long
Tom Wintrich
commitment to that event and his lifetime
dedication to the sport. The article strained our personal relationship, but
as Power himself told me before the 86 Louisiana Open, The past is
past.
I cant take back what I said, but I can update my assessment of
Powers annual tournament. No hype intendedthe 86 Louisiana Open
Power Poon
was simply the best one ever, and might prove to be the best clubproduced tourney of the season. The venue alone (Southern Universitys sports stadium) may
qualify it for that honor.
I publicly commend Power for accepting responsibility for personal improvement. Theres
not a top player anywhere that hasnt had to confront a personal challenge, and its comforting to
know there are tournament directors who can do the same.
Tims coverage (TTT, May-June, 1986, 22-24;
34) of the Apr. 18-20 $7,700 Louisiana Open follows:
Criticize this years $7,700 Power Poon Louisiana Open? Whod want to do that?
Certainly not ex-SPIN editor Tom Wintrich; certainly not ex-Topics editor Tim Boggan
the two of us seemingly little more than shadows in the flickering lantern-light of the (Where is
everybody?) almost deserted April 18-20 Oak Manor Tournament Hotel bar.
400

Nor is it likely that anyone else who watched this tournamentnow in its 11th year here in Baton
Rouge ($63,630 prize money given out in all)had much cause to complain. The Southern Universitys
F.G. Clark Activity Center was a marvelous well-lit Arena venue (thanks Dr. Lin and Chancellor
McClure), the new Stiga tables and barriers were quite professional-looking (thanks Ron Shirley), and
the best of TSP balls bounced straight and true (thanks Danny Robbins). These advantages given us
contributed to some exciting, highly competitive play among the 166 entrants in 24 events.
Former two-time Thai National Champion Chartchai Hank Teekaveerakit was the big winner.
He checked out with $950taking home both the $600 first prize in the Open over Brian Masters in five
games and the $100 first prize in the Under 21s over Jimmy Butler who declined to play in the Under
17s for a plaque. Hankster, as his friend Sean ONeill calls him, a freshman at Northern Virginia
Community College, also came in second in the Elite Singles event ($200 for that), losing to 1984
Canadian National Champion Horatio Hory Pintea. Then, paired with Domingo in the Open Doubles,
he and Rey each earned $50 for advancing past Canadian Team members Pintea/Alain Bourbonnais to
come deuce-in-the third-runner-ups to Danny and Randy Seemiller.
Rey, the former Philippine National
Champion, rated 2431, won his 4th
Handicap event in the last 6 years here. In
the semis, he spotted 15 (in a 21-point
game) to lob down 10-year-old Eric Owens
in one of the most entertaining matches of the
tournament, 28-26, 30-28. (What! Still
another smiling, thrown back, encouragingEric return that threatens to hop over the
kids head! For shame, Rey. For shame. Let
the kid win. Boo! Boo!) And then in the final
(as if in $100 chagrin?) dropping an
apologetic game to Gloria Cadavid before
Rey Domingo
defeating her 18 in the third.
More about some of the best prizemoney matches in a moment, Now, though, let me call a brief Let to say
a few words of thanks. First to long-time Tournament Chairman Power
Poon who, amazing, with everything else he had to do, actually found time
to play in the 1800s, where, in losing to Mel Evans, 26-24 in the third in
the final, he came within a Chinese whisker of winning the event.
Thanks of course also to
Rich Martin
Powers
Tournament Directors
Photo by
Mal Anderson and Control Desk and staff
workers: Tom and Melinda
Baudry (how come no one got
dapper Tom up to the mike to
auction off a table?), Mel Douglas,
Eric Owens
Ron Huff, Ben Chiu (1650 winner
over Paul Vancura), Rich Martin, Alex, Anna, and Edward
Poon, Glen Singletary, Harry and Silvia Teng, John Wen, Don
Drummond, Dave Collins (who bordered on doing what to get
me that Mexican beer?), Dat and Thuan Hoang, Charles Hoyt,
401

Oliver Hung, Jim Kemp, George Shofoluwe, Robert

Williams, Peter Sze, and Eden Yu, all of whom had duties at
times that may not have been exactly paradisical.
Kudos for helping also go to USTTA Public
Relations Chair Jay Harris who arranged for three nice
articles in the local Morning Advocate; to Chief Umpire
Ralph Spratt (thanks especially, Ralph, for inviting me to that
Matthew Arnold party/poetry reading), and to International
Umpire Wendell Dillon who, at the refreshment stand, putting
a cup of coca-cola to his nose, said, Whats all this about
Ralph Spratt
sniffing coke? It
From Canadian TTA News, Oct., 1971
doesnt do a thing for
me.
Early-round five-game matches in the $20-entry-fee
Open ($16$14 if you were lower-rated) were Jose Marin
over Larry Thoman, Mike Lauro over Mike Pritchard, and
Ernie Byles over Dave Collins.
Nigerian Tunde Jacobs says hes truncated away his
last name of Akiode because its too hard to pronounce.
(Maybe hell soon have to do something about Tunde
TOON-day, is that right?) Tunde was certainly in tune with
his A-game when he and his 2099 rating first-round in the
Open did in Jimmy Butler in five. And as if that wasnt
enough, he went and poured salt into the family wounds by
beating 2349-rated Scott Butler in the 2450s.
Tunde Jacobs
Jacobs also knocked Dell Sweeris (2253) out of the
2300s, then -18, 20, 17 escaped Roberto Dino Byles before losing in the final, 19 in the fourth,
to Dave Sakai. (Or, conflicting report here, Jacobs beat Sakai, 19 in the fourth.)
In the final of the U-2200s, considering that Jerry Thrasher had earlier looped his arm half
out of its socket, and Tunde had gotten a wee bit tired from the 18 other singles matches hed
played (including an unexpected loss in the Under 2100s to 2005-rated pips-out penholder Takako
Trenholme), it was unusual but understandable that Thrasher just managed to 18-in-the-third outpush Jacobs in a match that Jerrys boss, Joe Newgarden, should have taken some historic photos
of.
The other big upset in the first round of the Open was 2038-rated Torsten Pawlowskis win
over Dell Sweeris. Torsten had just returned from six weeks or so of play in West Germany where
he was a member of the Dattein Team in the Second Division of the Bundesliga. A slimmed-down
Torsten spoke of the favorable European Rate of Exchange: 20 pounds lost there for more than 100
rating points gained here. Not bad, huh?
Ah, I see a chance here to bring in some winners Id otherwise might not mention and dont
want to overlook. Torsten moved on to take the U-2100s over Mark Legters. The U-2000s went
to Keith LaFrance over Pete Tellegan. The U-1900s to Bill Coleman over Werner Kraus. The U3800 Doubles to Alex Poon/Damir Kadija over Kenny Owens/Scott Ryan. The U-3200 Doubles
to Alex Poon/Marvin Vining over Ganiyu Bello/Jimmy Shanks. The U-1500s to Kin K. Luk over
Vining. The U-1350s to Shanks/J. Schiro. And the 1150s to Steve Okpalobi over Albert
Marthin, Sr.
402

Dell Sweeris,
not to be outdone by
son Todd, the Under
13 winner (who,
according to the
Morning Gazette, lost
in the final of this event,
3-0, to Round Robin),
won the Seniors over
me with relative ease.
Todd Sweeris
Dell Sweeris
Dell may well feel
Photo by Mal Anderson
theres no point in
giving me tips on how to practice, but in an article in the Jan-Feb., 86 issue of Topics, he has four
points of advice for those interested:
(1) Be prepared to practice. That is, give 100%. Sessions should be exerting and should
be geared to developing strengths and eliminating weaknesses. They are not meant to be social
gatherings. (2) Assume every ball by your opponent is going to hit. Avoid the tendency to quickly
judge that the ball wont hit and then relax, or, worse, even try to catch the ball (so you wont have
to retrieve it). Hustleeven in practice. (3) Try to return every net and edge, and as you keep doing
so youll be turning a negative area into a positive one. To the amazement of your opponent youll
occasionally return a ball and rob him of a winner. (4) You should not expect to hit shots you dont
practice. So work at executing a variety of shots. Practice these preparations for match play and
youll gain confidence.
In a first-round upset in the Elite event (for players rated 2000 or above), Dino Byles
defeated Brandon Olson, 19 in the third. Brandon, with hands outstretched and an exasperated
shrug to the heavens, also lost to Jimmy Butler, deuce-in-the-third, in the semis of the 21s. Once
they took away the food from Lake Placid, scrapped that Program, Brandon, on his own, isnt
getting the nourishment he needs to practice well? Anyway, score one for the Colorado Springs
Resident Training Program: Dhiren Narotam, who downed fellow RTPer Gene Lonnon to win the
17s, KOd Brandon two straight in the U-2450s.
In other matches in the Open, Brandon, bless his patience, beat B.K. Arunkumar
(remember him? his last tournament was a year ago)but
Koomies Karma
warns, Watch out,
in three months Im
coming back.
Also, Brandon
downed Lim Ming
Chuias of course
did othersexcept
not Montreals
Alain Bourbonnais,
who says he never
has a good
tournament here.
Li m Ming Chui
After losing the first
Brandon Olson
Photo by Mal Anderson
403

Dave Sakai
Photo courtesy of
Larry Hodges

two games to the steady

but non-forcing
Canadian International,
Ming got hold of himself
Murray Ajala
and carefully, rationally
Photo by Richard Castiglioni
decided he shouldnt be
just swatting balls mindlessly but should be waiting for a good shot
before trying for putaways. This strategy carried him to 15-all in the
fifthwhereupon, abandoning Reason, Ming all-out attacked to win.
SakaiI always think of Chui and Sakai togetherin a sort
Randy Seemiller
of Hegalian synthesisprovided the Arena spectators grouped round
his table watching his (down 18-618-all) comeback against
Muritala Murry Ajala with one of the longest and therefore most enjoyable matches of the
tournament. What fun it is in this day and age, in any day and age, to watch someone who can
skillfully keep the ball in play.
The Open saw Ajala, who says he loves ping pong and plays every day, advance to the
semis with an 18-in-the-fourth win over Randy Seemiller. Up 18-12 in the first, Randy couldnt
hold on. They come back on me all the time, he said ruefullyI cant explain it. Ajala explained
it by saying he wasnt bothered by Randys anti-spin. Wasnt, that is, until the next time they met, in
the Elite, when, explain it if you can, Seemiller got ahead and stayed ahead.
Randy, by the way, along with brother Ricky, just got back from Bermuda, where he says
he must have talked to everybody on the island. Theyre very enthusiastic there, he said. Theyve
got tables everywheresome of the worst tables Ive ever seen. Randys supposed to go to Saudi
Arabia in June, but hes going to call his Congressman and ask for advice, just to be on the safe
side.
As for Randys more celebrated brother Danny, he was out of the Openblown away
early by a persistent Scott Butler. Scotts sharp backhand play to Dannys wide forehand caused
our former Champ some serious problems.
Danny had hurt his left ankle a couple of months ago at Lake Placid when the U.S. Table
Tennis Team was playing the Lake Placid University Team. At 20-19, Danny felt the pain. But he
kept onkept playing, and, sure enough, our basketball team did beat theirs, 31-29. The doctor,
Danny was telling me, said itd be about three months before the ligaments would heal.
In the meantime, Danny and partner Perry Schwartzberg are climbing what they hope will
be a Stairway to Heaven. Theyre working daily on a nightclub table tennis comedy-exhibition act
404

theyre hoping will one day make themwhat years and years of competitive play has notwell
known and financially secure.
In the Elite, the only real advanced-round surprise was Horatio Pinteas 10, 4 win over
Brian Mastersthe 10 more surprising than the 4.
Hory, you might not know, just returned from several months play in England where, living
week to week out of a suitcase, hed been staying at different aficionados homes and helping his
Ormsby Club Team to remain in contention for the Leagues top honors.
Pintea
had been
eliminated
in the
second
round of
the Open
here by
Ajalabut
had then
gone on to
beat both
Scott Butler
and
Chartchai
Teekaveerakit
Horatio Pintea
Chartchai Hank Teekaveerakit
to win the
Elite. In that
third and final game against Teekaveerakita series of typically quick-point, serve and serve-return
skirmishesHory had gotten off to a 9-1 leadwhich Hank cut to 14-12. But from there on in,
Pintea played aggressively and Teekaveerakit did not, and Horys lead was never threatened.
Hank has clearly missed his practice sessions with buddy Sean ONeill, our new U.S.
Champion, whos been training this spring in Sweden. But Hank/Hankster has a friend who may
soon be coming to town, the Southeast Asian Champ Vichai Limpisrivanichin which case, the first
order of the day would be to find the friendliest name for him
(Vic?...Chai?...Limp?...Van?...Itch? Nopeprobably none of those are appropriate).
In the Open final, Chartchai had no last-game lapse as he did against Pintea, and steadied to
defeat Brian Masters in five. Masters Masters Mastersthat was what some wit envisioned the
mid-August headlines to be after Dave Elwoods upcoming $13,500 Masters Championships had
ended. Here in Baton Rouge, though, Brian let slip away the first game from 12-7 up, gave up
the second from 14-5 down, and never could catch upthough he made a great run through
the third and fourth games with a scoring combination of strong serves, jab-blocks, and quick
drops. But then he fell back into passive blocking, made errors and Chartchai had the $600
title.
Earlier in the Open, Masters had defeated Insook Bhushan in an uninspired match.
However, Insook made amends. She took the 2450s without losing a game, stopping Ajala in the
finals. And she and Danny won the Mixed over Mariann Domonkos/Zoran Kosanovichuh? No,
no, not Kosanovic, thats a strange scoring mix-up, for Zoki was nowhere to be seen at this
tournament; Domonkos was runner-up with Pintea.
405

In the Womens, there were two contested quarters matches: Sheila ODougherty defeated
Connie Sweeris, 21, -8, 10; and Takako Trenholme won out over Olga Soltesz,-16, 10, 18. But
favorites Insook and Mariann swept through their matchesInsook winning her quarters against
the good Southwest player Shirley Woo, 3 and 3.
The final
between Insook and
Mariann was
positively
spectacularthe
most crowdpleasing of the
tournament. With
Bhushan up 2-0 and
20-14 in what
appeared to be a
routine third game,
Mariann Domonkos
the match had held
Photo from Tees Sport
the spectators
interest because of the rarely seen and so much lookedforward-to long-point attack and defense play.
Imagine then the quiet excitement whenincredibly
Mariann won 8 points in a row to take that third game, 22-20.
Insook Bhushan
From
1984
Louisiana Open Program
Their hold-your-breath 20-18 point was by far the longest
Photo by Mal Anderson
and best of the tournamentwith both players precariously
alternatingan exhibition point for real!...attack and defense patterns to the oohs and aahs of an
ever-increasing gallery. Who would ever imagine a Womans final to be so much more watchable
than a Mans?
But more watchable it was. And when Mariann looped her way to a 6-1 lead in the fourth
(a 14-out-of-15 Zone if ever there was one) and, though tapering off, still led 12-7, it seemed that
Domonkoss momentum might allow her to win this final. But three match-turning failed returns did
the Canadian in. Insooks got a lot of spin on that ball, said Mariann. Thats why, each time, it
dropped and died at the white lineand my timing was thrown off. So, a disappointment for
Domonkos after that magnificent rallybut still something of a moral victory.
And was there something here in Baton Rouge too for the soul of 31-year-old Danny
Seemiller? Yep, even though hed earlier been convincingly defeated by 19-year-old Chartchai. The
Spirit hoveredand a match-point-in-the-third edge gave the Seemiller brothers the Mens
Doubles win over Teekaveerakit and Domingo.
How much compensation is that, you ask, for the five-time U.S. Champs singles losses?
Enough for the unpracticed moment perhaps. Amazing, said Danny at tournaments endhis
hopes, his natural optimism on the rise. When you win its so different from when you lose. This
Doubles win will sure help the long ride back home. After all these years, were still traveling by car.
Just cant make the last step up.

406

Chapter Twenty-Seven
1986: E.C. April/May/June Matters of Interest (Except for Delayed E.C. Election Coverage).
As I wrote in my April 24th Update to the E.C., its disconcertingly obvious that Scott
Bakkes problems in getting the second (Mar.-Apr.) issue of the transitional Topics out containing
the Candidates Campaign Statements for the E.C. Elections has caused us to delay getting the
follow-up ballots out. This necessary accommodation means were doing everything possible to give
everyone a chance to read the Candidates Campaign Statements before the time expires for our
members to vote. Entries for the U.S. Open have also been affected, since the entry blank, which
Scott, along with the new Topics Advertising Rate Card, was responsible for, was inserted into
these Topics with a May 5th deadline, and a May 14th late-fee deadline. Scott tried to make some
amends by sending entry blanks at his own expense to a select group of tournament players, and
also to Colorado Springs where they were to be xeroxed and sent to USTTA clubs.
In my Apr. 24th Update, Id said the March-April Topics was off the press and into the
mail. But actually it wasnt; for, unknown to me and my E.C., burdened Writer/Editor Scott Bakke
had falsified his progress, and as the E.C. would later see in a very lengthy May 15th Bakke Report,
the issue hadnt been mailed until May 6. Election ballots wouldnt be mailed out until May 9, at
which time theyd go out 1st-class mail. If a ballot was to count, it had to be returned, postmarked
no later than May 19. Then within a week [actually not until May 30th] it would be apparent who
was in office beginning June 1.
Bakke very conscientiously and very apologetically explains in his May 15th
Report, a day-by-day account, in pages of great detail, why his Mar.Apr. issue was late and why, finally succumbing to the pressure of
incessant questioning, he told people he had Topics in hand and that
others would get theirs soon when actually he had only some advance
copies.
Besides affecting the Elections and U.S.
Open deadlines, Scott said, I
realize the lateness has
affected the Ratings,
annoyed some of the
advertisers, jeopardized
publicity for other
tournaments, and, in general,
spoiled many otherwise
well-deserved comments
regarding the visually
dynamic appearance and
format of the new Topics.
One big problem for Scott, aside from producing a creative layout, was that he didnt know when
to close the issuecouldnt resist including articles that he knew were forthcoming that would make
the issue more readable. Then, when he couldnt cram all his material into the pages hed finally
allotted himself, he had to spend editing-time shortening articles or deciding what to include, what
not to. Another problem was: I grossly underestimated the time keylining all the copy would take.
And then there were the sleep-deprived thoughts, worries about how to pressure the printers,
407

plead with the Mail House, and coax the Post Office people to be the
heroes instead of the mules.
One could see in that Mar.-Apr. issue Scotts inexperience at
singlehandedly trying to do a multitude of chores. His many mistakes
were quite pointedly detailed, often with exuberant pettiness, by Jack
Carr in four single-spaced pages I and a few others would receive on
Aug. 1. To me, its just amazing how Jack devotes himself so
completely to bureaucratic burrs that consume him negatively while hes
totally oblivious to the lifethe readability, the entertainmentthat
Scott brings to the publication. He asks, as if completely unaware of the
memberships favorable reaction to the magazine, Does Scott have the
correct conception of the purpose and value of Topics? He closes with
Jack Carr
Should Topics be returned to Headquarters with Ann Orthwein as
Photo by Don Gunn
editor?
Such potently impotent questions have to be reacted to with anguish not answers.]
Ive voiced my concern to Scott about the cost of each issue and the time its taking him to
get them out (primarily because of his own perfectionism). He understands that if he only puts out
six issues we disappoint the membership and lose advertising money. Hes planning a 24-page May
issuebut, as hes being forced to keep material back now, its very, very difficult for him, wanting
passionately as he does to make the magazine bigger and better, to hold himself to a mere 24 pages.
Tom Odette, whom Ive asked to help Scott, has put Scott on to two other printers, both of
whom have submitted higher bids than Scotts present printer is charging. If we want the slick look,
weve got to pay for it. Clearly, one issue of Topics is the equivalent of two of SPIN in
readabilityand the look is better. I want Odette to talk with Scotts printer to see if there isnt
some way Tom, Scott, and the printer can find to cut costs and expedite the completion of each
issue.
To me, Scott is the perfect editor and Ive told him to forget about school if need be
and just do the magazine for a while. Its as if hes already graduated with far more knowledge
than the usual journalism major; with another years experience he could get a pretty good
editing job. Obviously weve got to start paying him more than $500 an issuethough right
now hes with Keats: I feel assured I should write from the mere yearning and fondness I have
for the beautiful even if my nights labours should be burnt every morning and no eye ever shine
upon them.
After Bakke put out a 40-page May-June issue (cost: approximately $8,500), the E.C. at
their June 16-18 Meeting worked out the following agreement with him:
Three more issues (the number of issues went from a projected 10 a year to 8 and now
definitively to 6) will be published in 1986 for a total of roughly $20,000. This is to include all costs
plus phone, postage, mail service, typesetting, photography, and salary. It will not include the U.S.
National Championship entry form. If Scott has doubts about meeting the budgetary requirements,
he is to contact the president for direction.
Accepted cost and format per issue for the remaining three 1986 issues (28 pages per
issuebut this limitation will not be observed by Scott): $2,500 (printing); $1,500
(typesetting); $1,000 (salary); $60 (data processing); $200 (phone); $600 (postage); $250
(mail service); $500 (ratings); and $150 (1st-class mailings). In his fourth, 36-page July-Aug.
issue, Scott will write, Due to unfortunate space limitations, the Leaders in Ratings, regular
two and three-star tournament results, Film Library (includes the best copy possible Bob
408

Tretheway is
making of an old
Ruth Aarons film),
and the USTTA
Register do not
appear in this
issue. Topics is a
labor of love for
Scott and as much
as he can he wants
to do it his way.
Because of
Ruth Aarons . . . and the years go by
the time its taken
Bakke to get out the Mar.-Apr. issue, U.S. Open Co-Tournament
Directors Dennis Masters and Dan Simon are being subject to
maximum pressure. The first deadline for the Open entries is May
5th and obviously the membership could not possibly have received
the entry blank in Topics by then. So we cant charge those who
enter by the final deadline of May 14 late fees. And yet we expect
Dan Simon to do intense, near overwhelming work in a very small
period of time? And at the very time when, from his point of view,
weve unfairly cut his income and not others? And when he (and
others) feel hes being unjustly attacked as Ratings Chairman for his
Schildkrot connection that prompted his three-page rebuttal. [Ill
take up this Conflict of Interest question in a moment.]
I want you at this difficult time for him to give him support. I
want you to reinstate the cuts we took from Dan at our March E.C.
Meeting. I want him to feel that we value the work that hes been
USTTA Ratings Chair Dan Simon
doing so well for the Association, that we appreciate how hes
and US Schildkrot Distributor
helped administratively to clean up the tournament scene, how hes
serviced so many members. The reliable work we need from him for this upcoming Open is
indispensible for the Opens success. I, for one, want Dans full cooperation in the now extremely
difficult job hes going to be faced with from mid-May to mid-June. Should he not extend himself
above and beyond the call of duty, the Image of the Open, all that a number of us have worked so
hard for in the last two years, will be severely damaged. IM GOING TO PERSONALLY CALL
EACH OF YOU EARLY NEXT WEEK AND ASK YOU TO SHOW YOUR CONFIDENCE
IN DAN: YOU RISE TO THE OCCASION, AND IM SURE DAN WILL TOO.
In addition to the loss of income that might result from the entry blanks getting out late (it may be
that people who might otherwise have gone to Miami Beach just cant get their heads together on such
short notice to commit to going), there will be more expenses. Dennis and Scott have both sent 1st-class
mailings out. Please understand were going to have to have a constant day-to-day express service
between Colorado Springs and Dans home in Bethlehem, PA. The more completed entry blanks that
can get to Dan early, the better his chances of getting the draws and the time-scheduling done. You can
imagine how many entries are going to hit him at the deadline. We have to understand that everyone is
human and needs the support of others so that the common good can prevail.
409

Also, though the USTTA has offered umpires for our U.S. Open
an allowance of $20 a day toward food, 1/2 room fee, and either
entries to a maximum of three events or $50 extra for travel, more
umpires are still needed. Umpires Chair Tom Miller feels that many
umpires are NOT familiar with the Point Penalty Rule. But he plans to
make at least all International and National Umpires (the ones whom we
trust to use it) aware of the Rule by appending it to the inside back of the
newly formatted 85-87 ITTF Rule Book hes xeroxing off for them.
Hes also requesting his International and National Umpires to keep
yearly logs of matches theyve umpiredthat he might see and use these
in part as a basis for Major-Tournament selection of Referees and
Tom Miller
Umpires.
At the June 16-18 E.C. Meeting that immediately followed the completion of U.S. Open
play, after Dan Simons salary-cut had been reinstated, he discussed what was involved in his job as
Ratings Chairman. He estimated he makes $4.00/hour when he works. He feels hes due $3,500
for calendar year 1986 (to date hes received $800), and the E.C. agreed to pay him that $3,500.
He would also like the E.C. to consider him for a raise.
The March 14-16 Minutes had mentioned that Id gone into New York City to see the
North Koreans Mr. Li and Mr. Chong (whose card said he was Third Secretaryfrom The
Permanent Observer Mission of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea to the United Nations
(North Korean Embassy, I guess you could say). Sol Schiff had gone to see them and he put me on
to them. Theyd been after him for years to arrange a Table Tennis Exchange between the U.S. and
North Korea, and hed always told them theyd have to include South Korea in any kind of play.
Now (with the 88 Seoul Olympics coming up and their desire to have some of the competition in
North Korea) they might be willing to do that. It would be good to have the North Koreans come
to our Open, to have them participate in matches on the West Coast with the South Koreans and
the Chinese.
When I went to see them, they said a North Korean Team would be willing to play in, say, a
four-country tournament before or after the U.S. Openin California perhaps. They would be
willing to play against South Korea, or anybody, in such a tournament, but they would not want to
play a head-to-head match against South Korea alone. The North Koreans would agree to pay
their own transportation expense from Korea to the U.S. and cross-country to Miami Beach and
back. Once they were in Miami Beach we would pick up the hospitality coststhough for how
many people would have to be decided on.
Theyd like us then to come to Pyongyang. I emphasized that I couldnt guarantee this at all.
Although they want to come to our Open, they dont know if they can get visas and want us to help
them. Gus Kennedy is looking into the matter and is in contact with a woman in the State
Department in Washington, D.C. Naturally the North Koreans would like whatever help we could
give them in bringing about a sharing of the 1988 Olympic Games with South Koreaan idea
South Korea is resisting mightily.
As it turned out, the North Koreans reportedly couldnt get visas to come to the U.S. and
we certainly wouldnt be going to Pyongyang.
As it also turned out, there was a new twist with the two Koreas and the one 1988 World
Championship. Heres a pertinent excerpt (TTT, July, Aug., 1986, 14) from Rufford Harrisons
report on the June 13-14 ITTF Meeting at Dubrovnik he attended:
410

Just before the Meeting, the press had noted that the IOC had
proposed having the 1988 table tennis championships, along with three
other events, in Pyongyang to appease the North Koreans, who wanted
the entire Games to be joint. I dont think anyone in the room was in
favor of that move, but it was observed that the procession of table tennis
players across the DMZ, or flying from Seoul to Pyongyang, would be
most newsworthy. It was agreed that we should go along with the idea,
with certain provisos. For instance, Table Tennis had to be present at the
opening and closing ceremonies. The discussion was all academic, however.
North Korea subsequently said this wasnt what they had in mind.
Also, earlier, wed gotten a letter from Mr. Bienvenido Abierno
from the Cuban Interest Section in Washington, D.C. inviting a U.S. Team
to Cuba. Were we to accept, it would be our fourth trip there; but as the
Cubans had never sent a team to the U.S. we countered with our own
invitation for the Cubans to come to Miami Beach for our U.S. Open.
Heres what I wrote Mr. Abierno in a March 18th letter:
We would pay all transportation costs for an agreed-upon number on your Team, would
give you free hotel accommodations at our tournament hotel, the ocean-beach Eden Roc in Miami
Beach, and would give you an agreed-upon food allowance per day. Also, we will state
categorically that we will listen to your requests, and that we will not in any way embarrass your
Team. We will not, for example, play your Team against a Cuban-American Team.
But they didnt come, and so our economy-minded E.C. nixed a U.S. Team going to Cuba.
As for the top Swedish players, they werent going to play in Miami Beach because after
their success at the European Championships theyve all been promised a Training Camp in the
south of France or some Riviera-like relaxing spot.
Nevertheless, of the invitations Gus sent out to 78 countries, we did
get some high-powered playersmaybe 20 with world rankingsfrom
China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, South Korea, Hungary, Hong Kong, Bulgaria,
and a few other countries. Dan Simon reported that 551 players
enteredfrom 24 countries (entries were taken even after the start of the
tournament). Foreign player entries were up over last year, domestic entries
down. ESPN would have a first showing, for an hour, on July 5th. Dennis
Masters said there was a loss of about $6,000 on this years U.S. Open.
I now take up the question of Conflict of Interestspecifically with
regard to USTTA employees and committee members who sell table tennis
Gus Kennedy
equipment. In the Mar.-Apr. issue of Topics, in side-by-side articles, Bowie
Martin and D-J Lee debated the question. Bowie cited what he considered
examples of conflicts of interest that could prove dangerous to the integrity of the Association. He
particularly feared, because of the threat of persons in position taking unfair advantage, the withdrawal of
advertising and sponsorship support of various manufacturers and distributors. He specifically names
Coaches Liguo and Henan Li Ai who sell Chinese [Friendship] rubber at tournaments (and without
paying a booth fee). Names National Rating Chairman Dan Simon whos now the official Schildkrot table
411

tennis ball and equipment distributor. Names Christian Lillieroos who seems
to Bowie like hes a Stiga public relations man. And names D-J Lee who is
not only an equipment distributor but is in the influential position of being an
E.C. Vice-President.
Bowie doesnt take a holier than than thou stancehe admits
that he himself had been on the E.C. when he was an equipment dealer,
as had Sol Schiff, Dan Robbins, and Ron Shirley. In fact, Bowie
personally thinks, even while he raises this Conflict of Interest question,
that anyone should be able to serve in USTTA office, but hed like the
E.C. to take a position on the issue, clear the air.
D-J Lee doesnt criticize these offenders, or Bowie himself for
both serving the sport as an E.C. member and making a lot of money selling
equipment. He thinks a safeguard exists that allows one to withstand the
Conflict of Interest charge. And that is: the E.C. is well prepared to prevent a
Conflict of Interest transaction because none of those people who worry
Bowiethe Ais (Liguo is well aware he cant force any of his charges to use

Bowie Martin

Friendship rubber), Simon, Lillieroos, and Leehave concealed their business interests. There is nothing
hidden, underhanded, dangerous here. All it takes, says D-J, are a few rudimentary controls to ensure
that we act properly. But what these controls are he doesnt say.
Simon is brought to Conflict of Interest Court not once but twice. In the first instance, he
must be found not guilty. He addresses the E.C.:
By-law 2.9.3.6 states that an E.C. member who derives income from table tennis or who is
connected with the manufacture, sale or hire of table tennis equipmentmay occupy an administrative
office, serve on an administrative committeeonly if he withdraws from any meeting, or abstains from
voting on any issue, in which he has a direct financial interest. [A rudimentary control D-J was talking about?]
Therefore USTTA has in place the mechanism for E.C. members to be involved for table
tennis profit-making ventures, and the only restriction concerns voting rights. This is the key issue.
No one could possibly disagree with the fact that E.C. members are the most influential people in
the allocation of funds and the future direction of the sport. If E.C. members, with all their powers,
can participate in profit-making ventures, how can the USTTA take action prohibiting committee
members and outside contractors from the pursuit of free enterprise in this country?
412

Simon quotes a law professor who states, all people have potential conflict of interests:
[guessing-game] examples might be: a worker with a demanding job and time needed to be with his
familyor a National Coach with a Butterfly contractor an E.C. member who wishes to control
a tournament operations committee and criticizes those who are currently doing the jobor a table
tennis supply distributor who obtains USTTA funds to get a junior program started in his home
areaalright, no guessing about that last one, for Bowie Martins Wilson County Junior Program,
funded now for three months, continues to flourish; Bowie says, The Program involves some 2,000
students now in three schools and could spread to 20 more.
In the second instance, so skillful is Simons defense that he escapes with a slap on the
wrist, his integrity intact. After Eric Boggan lost his semifinal match with Jimmy Butler at the 1985
Closed, he was beaten by Quang Bui in a match for 3rd-Place. Because Dan Simon saw this match
he awarded Bui the requisite points for the win but took only half the points away from Eric for his
loss. Why he did this hell explain momentarily. This, however, caused something of a furor because,
though Topics for six yearsfrom Nov., 1981 until Sept.-Oct., 1987listed Eric Boggan as the
#1-rated player in the country, there was a glitch in the Jan.-Feb., 1986 Topics ratingsfor there
413

Eric was rated 2584 and Chartchai Teekaveerakit 2575. Had Simon taken
the full complement of points from Eric, he, for that moment in time, would
have fallen another 13 points to be rated 2571 to Teekaveerakits 2575. This
was a very big deal to Chartchais sponsor Danny Robbins, and on Apr. 7th, I
and other E.C. members received a letter from Dean C. Metry, Robbins
Detroit lawyer, who protested that Simons action showed a conflict of
interest, especially since Ratings Chair Simon was a Schildkrot distributor and
Eric was under contract to Schildkrot.
With a prosecution witness at the
readyKathleen ONeill whod documented in
a Mar. 16th letter her version of a Mar. 13th
phone conversation shed had with Simon [much
of it point-by-point convincingly disputed by Dan
in an April 18th rebuttal)Mr. Metry insisted
that, to avoid any possible legal action, the E.C.
take the following steps: (1) deduct all not just
Danny Robbins
part of the points Eric should lose for his defeat
by Bui; (2) publish the corrected portion of the rating list in the next
USTTA publication; and (3) take E.C. action to establish strict conflict
of interest guidelines. All this would in fact be doneand Mel Eisner
was appointed Chair of a Conflict of Interest Committee.
Kathy ONeill
Photo by Mal Anderson
There now remains, importantly, Simons Apr. 18th very
thorough explanation (in seven single-spaced pages) of how he views
his job, why he did what he did, and in a 27-point rebuttal takes issue with some of Mr. Metrys
and Kathy ONeills comments:
He begins by answering No to the following five questions: (1) Am I a paid USTTA
employee? [Hes a volunteer.] (2) Did I as Rating Chairman have a true conscious conflict of
interest? (3) Did my actions in making an adjustment to a players rating exceed the authority of
my office? (4) Are adjustments considered only with regard to special players, and only when the
Rating Chairman witnesses the matches? (5) Is the Robbins lawyers letter threatening legal action
going to weaken my resolve to make Schildkrot a force in the U.S. table tennis scene?
Simon continues with various detailed comments, the most important of which I select here:
I was not ever aware that the justifiable adjustment to Eric Boggans rating had any impact
on the sequence of the rating list. What possible gain was there for Schildkraut, Eric, or me?
Eric does not even play with Schildkrot equipmenttheyre into balls and nets. [For
the 1989 Worlds, Schildkrot will provide the balls (Joola the tables and nets).] Theyve scarcely
used Eric in any promotion, and they have no definitive plans concerning Eric for the future.
Schildkrot has no interest in the rating system.Theyre interested in titles and world
rankings and wins over notable opponents.
Since Eric is not the current U.S. Champion, why would I ever use his U.S. rating for
promotional purposes? What honor is there in saying a player is rated #1, but he is not the
champion? [Well, if a player is uninterruptedly the U.S. #1 for six years, I would certainly say
theres honor in that. Of course, this glitch would last but a moment; still, the streak is interrupted.]
I guess Ill never know how any player in the U.S. could take any pride in claiming to be the #1rated player knowing he never defeated Eric or that Erics matches in the Bundesliga or World Cup
do not count for points in our system. [As of July, 1986, Erics World Ranking is #31.]I state
414

emphatically that I did not gain from, nor did I intend to, in making the decision to adjust Erics
rating based on what I observed.
As the USTTA Rating Chairman for almost three years, I have always performed my duties
to the best of my abilities, with sincerity and integrity. For someone to suggest otherwise makes me
mad as hell. I have followed the mandate of the E.C.that the Rating System is my responsibility,
and that I may make improvements and adjustmentsto ensure the accuracy and fairness of the
system.
I have made countless adjustments based on results, on a tournament directors
recommendations, and on verifiable situations that call for fair treatment of the players involved. My
record should stand by itselfthree years, and this is the first complaint (unfounded as it is).
I certainly saw a situation that called out for fair treatment at the 1985 Nationals in Las
Vegas. After Eric Boggan lost his match to Jimmy Butler, and with it the chance to repeat as U.S.
Champion, he flatly asserted that he did not want to play the match with Quang Bui. He was urged
by tournament officials and others to play the match for 3rd-Place. But he didnt care about the
$200 difference, or the third or fourth position on the U.S. Team. He said, No, he would not play,
that only in the U.S. would anyone be required to play immediately after he lost his title. Officials
urged him to play again. He
played. Or at least his body
was present inside the
court.
Eric, whod
defeated Quang the
previous day by the scores
of 21-8, 21-6, now served
and lobbed the ball into
play. Had Eric done what
he wanted, and defaulted,
he would have lost NO
Quang Bui
rating points. Danny
Seemiller, not feeling like
playing for other reasons, was allowed to default when he was
Eric Boggan
physically able to play, and lost no rating points for his action. I made
my decision in Las Vegas that Quang should receive full credit for his win, and Eric would lose
one-half of the 25 upset points Quang received.
It could be argued that Quang should not be credited with these upset points because he
may not have earned them. Eric could argue that his wins in the World Cup over players, such as
the World Champion, whose rating is in our system, should be credited to him.
Please be advised if I am not treated fairly by the E.C. that I will reluctantly institute
possible legal action and discuss this matter with the U.S. Olympic Committee.I feel Mr. Robbins
is trying to involve the E.C. in his attempt to slow Schildkrots involvement in the U.S. market.
So what did the E.C. do at their June 16-18 E.C. Meeting, faced with purported legal
action on two fronts? They made a Motion that complied with Danny Robbins/Dean Metrys threepoint request, AND they noted for the record that in doing this the E.C. does not question Dan
Simons integrity or his ability to evaluate a realistic rating by applying the rating system policies.
Which said in effect: Everybody try to forget this ever happened, O.K.? Motion passed 9-0-0.
415

Following his Too Much Spending article in the Jan.-Feb. Topics, Charlie Disney has
another article in the May-June issueone for sure Dan Simon wont likecalled Is the Rating
System Working?:
After running six tournaments a year for the past 25 years, I feel the current USTTA rating
system is counter-productive to the growth of table tennis.
There are numerous players, including many of the top players in the Midwest area, who are
opting not to play in sanctioned tournaments for fear of losing the rating that they worked hard to
attain. [Id like to know WHO these numerous Midwest players are, who these many top
players are, who loved to play in sanctioned tournaments but who now have quit playing in
thembecause, mgod, if they lose a particular match.] Despite giving away prize money as an
inducement, 50-point losses scare people away.
Players who fear a string
of losses are becoming too
conservative to play, particularly in
smaller sanctioned tournaments
where there are unrated players
[not many top players there,
huh?]. Because we need hundreds
of small tournaments for table
tennis to grow, I believe a return
to a 32-point maximum difference
would be best for the overall
advancement of our sport. If its
Charlie and partner Don
Larson prefer to give
bad for our small tournaments, its
exhibitions
than playing in
bad for the game. [The people
tournaments?
who fear a 50-point loss wouldnt
fear a 32-point loss?]
At both the Colorado Springs March 14-16 and the Miami June 16-18 E.C. Meetings, Gus
Kennedy gave his proxy to Disney, and Charlie would perhaps get a little more attention when Jimmy
McClure proposed that all past
USTTA presidents will be asked
to be a member of a newly
formed Presidents Advisory
Committee. Oh? And who, we
ask since this motion passed 8-1
(Thiem against), might all those
past presidents be? If we go back
through 18 years we havent
come to Past-President Rufford
Harrison yet, but we can
construct a most recent
committee of two. That doesnt
include Tim (who I dont think
Graham Steenhoven (L) with President Richard Nixon,
would waste any time trying to
discussing Ping-Pong Diplomacy
advise Sol Schiff), nor Graham
From Tim Boggans Volume #5, back cover
416

Steenhoven (long inactive). But there would be Sol (who would himself chair the committee?)and
Charlie. And while I think of it, before I finish this book Ill be obliged to hear more from Colorado
SpringsNorm Silver, Tretheways friend, who says hed like Disney to be our upcoming President.]
And, since I must think of upcoming Presidents, I point out that at the June Meeting newlyelected Sol said he would like the E.C. to think about term of office. He feels three years (rather
than two) would be a more adequate time to carry through on programs without changes occurring
with many new E.C. members. (Is that what happens in our E.C. electionsthe old give way to
many new members?)
Id certainly like the old to give way to the new. The E.C. asked committee chairs to please
respond to two questions: What do you think you should be doing? and What are you doing?
Following a discussion of Headquarters staff and salariesBob, Emily, Ann, Liguo, and Henan
retain their current contracts. However, a Personnel Committee was formed with Lyle Thiem as
Chair. Lyle was to notify all USTTA employees that they need to prepare a job description and
submit it by Aug. They and their jobs will then be evaluated throughout the next six months. [Scott
Bakke notes that on Sept. 17, after about 1 and years as the USTTAs Membership Secretary,
Ann Orthwein resigned. Eight hours a day on the computer is just not for me, she said.
Sheila ODougherty, whos not the USTTA Budget Chair but
whos been active trying to untangle our financial knots (shell later be
the USTTA Treasurer), reported that (1) if we defer the start of
repayment of the $35,000 loan from our Foundation until Jan., 1987
and (2) if we get the interest payment from the Foundation we need
every month, our Budget for the calendar year 1986 should show a
$4,658 projected surplus. The Boggan/Eisner suggestion that
$100,000 of the windfall money be made available for projects that
would [not might] generate income was voiced againthis time by
Lyle Thiem. It drew only his Yes vote.
Lyle Thiem

I sent round to the E.C. a letter from Christian Lillierooss

lawyer explaining his current immigration status. The USTTA can legally employ Christianbut
Christian can legally accept only expense money. Our books will reflect that. His six-month
Agreement with us (what specifically do we want him to do?) runs from March 1 to Aug. 31.
Because of cash-flow problems, were about $500 behind in payments to him. He says, I havent
even got a dime to make a phone call. Hed like to be paid the first of every month.
At the moment, Christian continues his Westfield coaching workwhich includes his
Saturday morning Woodbridge Township Program with 22 juniors. He says he has a Program and
coaching staff developed for New Jersey schools that, were they to accept it, could start next fall.
Meanwhile, Christian says hed rather work with existing players than find new ones.
Christian will soon go to Harrisburg, PA where theyve just opened a 7-day-a-week club.
(Danny Hill has just done the same in North Carolina.) Christian says that the USTTA should
advertise in Topics that the E.C. will contribute $3,000 to any new open-7-days-a-week club and
that he personally will go to this club to educate coaches and personnel.
Christian has returned from his trip to Anderson, S.C.and is wildly enthusiastic.
Anderson College wants Christian, beginning in the fall of 86, to organize a College Team
Programmuch as he did in his table tennis school in Sweden. In Anderson, however, he has far
more resources at his command. The school wants him to start a Table Tennis Club Management
Programand, to start it off, Jeff Masons Manual would be perfect for the classes, along with
417

Christian to coach at Anderson College?

Christian photo by B.J. Lacasse

supplemental material from Christian. The President of Anderson College, Dr. Mark Hopkins, has, with
Bob Tretheways help, been a good friend to table tennis this past yearand the excellent playing
facilities (two gymsone a permanent, open-24-hours-a-day one for T.T.) and the six outside clubs in a
40-mile area (providing entries for maybe 10 tournaments a year) will attract students, particularly if, as
the college is planning, some table tennis scholarships are available to them.
No surprise then that Christian would like to be based in Anderson, S.C., for he feels the
potential for a table tennis school there is very great. He and Table Tennis would have the same
stature at Anderson College as any coach and any sport. His Team would be given a traveling van,
expense money for matches, uniforms, and he would go to tournament after tournament in the area,
building up table tennis. The school would house and feed him, so the USTTA could work out a
salary with him that would be commensurate with whatever duties we gave him. Christian wants our
acceptance of this suggestion as soon as possiblebecause he wants to begin immediately to
recruit students (including a scholarship student or two) to the Anderson Campus. Bob T. approves,
thinks this sort of thing is perfect for Christian who would soon begin to connect the whole
Southeast.
However, at the June E.C. Meeting, the E.C. told Christian whod made a presentation on
his t.t. work in the U.S. this past year, that we couldnt fund any Anderson College project at this
time. The vote was 2-5-2with McClure and ODougherty For, and Sweeris and Butler
Abstaining. Then came a 4-4-1 vote to Table this Motionwith Schiff, Hodge, Sweeris, and
ODougherty voting FOR, and Eisner Abstaining. The E.C. said Christian could help us by writing
articles and developing programs (programs which then would be implemented?). He was told of
our appreciation for his continuing input and contributions.
Articles by Christian or on him are surfacing. Here, in the May-June Topics he writes on
How Your Practice Should Be Scheduled:
Ideally, practice sessions should be structured to reflect the actual shot selection that you
naturally use to win in a competitive situation. Say 80% of the shots you use are forehands, 20%
backhandsthat means you focus 80% of your practice time on forehands.
Interestingly, though, as you play more matches, stronger players will begin to take
advantage of your weaker backhand side. This means that, because youre forced to play many
more backhands, your actual shot selection percentage during competition will probably shift to
418

about 60% on the forehand, 40% on the backhand. Now youll need to practice more backhand
play. So youll see that the fastest way to improve the level of your game is to practice your shots
commensurate with their use in a match.
In the May-June issue of Topics, in Scott Bakkes Lillieroos Lights Up American Coaching
Scene, Christian was said to have been Head Coach of the U.S. National Wheelchair Team
which former U.S. World and Olympic Wheelchair Champion Terese Terranova quickly said wasnt
true, though admitting Christian had given some helpful clinics to wheelchair players. I myself
questioned Christians title as National Director of the Junior Table Tennis School (certainly news
to me, Id never heard of itwas it connected with work hed been doing in New Jersey?). Also,
Christian was said to be leaving the solid Westfield, New Jersey Table Tennis Club in mid-June to
head a college coaching program in Anderson, N.C.
Then in the very next (July-Aug.) issue of Topics I read the following article Table Tennis
To Be Next College Sport? by Butch Blume, sports information director at Anderson College:
George Killian, executive director of the National Junior College Athletic Association
(NJCCA), said table tennis will become a varsity sport if there is sufficient interest.If a national
invitational tournament involving junior colleges were held in 1987, it would be the first step in the
establishment of any varsity sport to be sanctioned by the NJCCA.
In the meantime, the USTTA is proceeding with the establishment of a prototype program
at Anderson College in South Carolina.
The USTTA has hired Jim Doney, a national-class player, to direct the program.
Anderson College will provide the leading edge in
the establishment of table tennis as a college-level sport,
USTTA National Program Director Bob Tretheway said.
This is a major breakthrough.
College president Mark Hopkins said he is
delighted that Anderson College will be the first school in
the U.S. to have a table tennis program.
Hopkins said three table tennis players have
already enrolled as students at Anderson College, and he
expects at least another four players to enroll before school
starts in mid-August.
Were looking forward to having Jim Doney on our
campus, he added.
Doney, 23, played semi-pro table tennis in West
Germany in 1983 and recently won the Chicago Invitational
Tournament. He is ranked among the top 50 players in the
Jim Doney
country.
Photo by Mal Anderson
The Grand Rapids, Michigan native said he sees the
Anderson College program as the start of something big for table tennis in the U.S.
Where, I wonder, does anyone, including Christian, think Lillieroos is positioned in U.S.
Table Tennis? (Give him timehe has to go Coach in Saskatchewan before he can be hired to
succeed Doney at Anderson.)
And how about those who run tournaments? Everything laid out for them? I received a letter
from National Tournament Director Andy Gad (copy to E.C.) raising questions about sanctioning
procedures. I think we need a Coordinator, a human being, like Lyle or Andy, to coordinate with
419

our Colorado Springs computer so that we might be on top of each State tournament scene. Bob T.
says $500 would enable us to get a good sanctioning program into our Headquarters computer so
that wed then be able to get valuable printouts of all kinds every week. Bob often has a number of
things to do, and so likely hasnt the time to urge state clubs to cooperate in their scheduling of
tournaments. However, somebody really needs to make sure that the sanctioning procedures are
expedited, that clubs run sanctioned tournaments, that the sanction fees are paid. Lyle, maybe
youve more time than Andy? Maybe you could begin to draw up a MASTER CALENDAR that
would also show us which clubs ran tournaments with what results? At their June Meeting, the E.C.
voted unanimously to do away with the rule that USTTA clubs must run one sanctioned tournament
a year to retain their club affiliation.
Also at the June Meeting, the following proposal by Dennis
Masters (prompted by the unsatisfying three-star tournaments run by Jeff
Mason and Bob Brickell) was deferred to National Tournament Chair
Gad: From now on, all 3-star tournaments must have a minimum amount
of prize money of $5,00075% of which money is to be given to the
five championship events (MS, WS, MD, WD, XD)with 50% of the
75% to be distributed in Open Singles and 25% of the 75% to be
distributed in Womens Singles. A two-months separation time would be
required between three-star tournaments in the same region, and such
tournaments would have to be in separate geographic areas within the
region. The sanction fee of $200.00 would have to be paid in advance
and the sanctioning would be at Headquarters. Although this proposal
was carried over from the March Meeting, it apparently was too new
Dennis Masters
to warrant a discussion, let alone make a decision on. Which to me was
discouraging.
Bob Tretheways trips away from Headquarters, however, and his Grant work are
encouraging. He went to Kansas City for a Regional National Sporting Goods Show where he put
on an exhibition with Mark Kennedy and in general promoted the sport. Although he felt his efforts
had limited value, the trip did provide him with contactsConverse Shoes, Mizuno Shoes,
Gatoradethat might lead to sponsorship. While there, Bob of course encouraged USTTA
cooperation with the local auto dealer who was sponsoring a t.t. tournament at the new (table tennis
in a tennis club) Regency Park Convention Center.
Bobs trip to Cincinnati to meet with the AAHPERD people (American Alliance for Health,
Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) was very helpful. His aim was to be in a position to
have the sport taught to teachers of Rec and Leisure Time Activity in some 130 schools
that already have table tennis programs. For next years Regional AAHPERD
convention, Nissen has agreed to provide a table for exhibition purposes. Bob also
speaks of having made contacts that will result in the USTTA approval of a new
Dormax table, a new style jump rope that will be provided for our RTP trainees,
and a premier Sports Psychology Imaging and Relaxation Technique (developed by
a man whos helped the Milwaukee Brewers and who plans to do a research
project with table tennis players at Colorado Springs).
At the June Meeting, Bobs grant proposals for 1987 were unanimously approved by the
E.C. They were: (1) Colorado Springs RTP$50,000 request; (2) World Team; (3) Junior
Development Program$48,000 (boys and girls clubs plus t.t. affiliated clubs); (4) School
420

Program Development (Wilson, NC; ACU-I; Anderson JC; AAHPERD; NJCAA. With regard to
Junior Development, Bob wants to tie together an interlocking of Boys Clubs, Schools, and USTTA
Clubs. The Boys Club organization is financing clinics for Volleyball, and BC
officials have recently made it known to Bob that theyd be willing to do the
same for T.T. To get a real Program going, Bob says we need to find an all-inone area: the densest population of Boys Clubs, schools interested in T.T.
programming, and USTTA clubs interested in our Club Advisor Program. Then
we hire two charismatic or at least knowledgeable, clean-cut types (like Scott
Preiss and Mark Kennedy) and, perhaps with a manufacturers van, barnstorm
them around (except in the Southeast where Christian will be doing his organizational thing), having
them give exhibitions, clinics, and tournament and club management advice.
Tretheway, as Chair of the
Resident Athletes Committee,
suggested the following players for the
86-87 RTP: Boys (6): Chi-Ming
Chui, Gene Lonnon, Dhiren Narotam,
Chi Ngo (all returnees) and Chi-Sun
Chui and Todd Sweeris. Girls (5): Li
Ai, Diana Gee, Lisa Gee, Toni
Gresham (all returnees) and Marta
Zurowski. Larry Hodges will return as
Manager.
RTP Manager Larry Hodges

The E.C. accepted the

recommended staff of 11 and the 16 men and 16 women wholl
play in the July 25-Aug. 3 National Olympic Festival.

13-year-old RTPers Todd

Sweeris and Chi-Sun Chui
Photo by Larry Hodges

For the Junior Olympics/National Junior Championships to be

held Aug. 8-10 in St. Louis, Chair Richard Butler was asked by the
E.C. to prepare an overall comprehensive program including
recommendations for funding, coaching, training, organization of new
programs, and further recommendations for juniors at the USOTCs,
Olympic Festival, RTP, Nationals, etc. Participants in State Junior
Olympic qualifiers do not have to be USTTA members. Participants in
the Nationals do. But all athletes must participate in their AAU/USTTA certified state/
association tournament in order to qualify for the Nationals. Each non-USTTA
member participating in State qualifiers will receive one issue of Topics and
promotional materials on membership. The top three places in each age groups
singles events, and the winners in age group doubles events from the state
tournaments will be eligible for competition at the Nationals. Eligibility will be
determined by the juniors age as of the first day of the Nationals.
The E.C. approved that Tryouts for the 1987 U.S. Team to the World
Championships would be held in conjunction with the Nissen tournament in Cedar
Rapids, Iowa, Oct. 6-7. Eligibility: Men: top 18 rated, eligible, available men plus top
421

Richard
Butler

4 rated eligible, available Junior boys not in top 18 men in the May/June issue of Topics, plus two
men selected at a qualifier held at the U.S. Masters tournament in Columbus, IN, Aug. 13. Women:
top 12 rated, eligible, available women, plus top 4 rated, eligible, available Junior girls not in top 12
women in the May/June issue of Topics, plus two women selected at a qualifier held at the U.S.
Masters tournament in Columbus, IN, Aug. 13. [This Columbus Qualifier later switched to Cedar
Rapids at the Nissen in October.] Note: To be a member of the International Team Squad you must
be: (a) a U.S. citizen who complies with ITTF regulations or (b) have a green card and have two
years verified U.S. residency and not played for another national team at the most recent world
championships. The USTTA will provide a $60 subsidy for each of the 24 men and 18 women
competing in these Tryouts. And will allocate $1,000 total for officials.
The site for the 1986 U.S. National Championships was decided by secret ballot. Although,
as Dennis Masters tells us, the Las Vegas Showboat and the Washington, D.C. Sheraton Park
Hotel/Convention Center gave us helpful info regarding costs and dates, only two private proposals
were presented to us. The E.C. chose the proposed Pittsburgh site by Danny Seemiller: (a)
Guaranteed $7,000 clear profit; (b) Date: Dec. 10-13 (or 14); (c) Provide $10,000 minimum prize
money; (d) Entry fee no higher than last year; (e) Hotel $42I to 4 people in room. The interested
California people hoped Bard Brenners proposal would be selected: (a) first-class facility in
Anaheim, CA Convention Center (near Disneyland); (b) Date: Dec. 18-21; (c) Capital Bank to
offer $10,000, maybe another $5,000 if TV involved; (d) Possibility USTTA could lose up to
$10,000; (e) Hotel $45 (single); $49 (2-4 people).
One does get the idea that Seemiller knows what hes doing, that he will deliver. In the JulyAug. Topics, an appreciative Hank Levun of Skokie, IL, writes in to say:
I attended the Seemiller summer table tennis camp in Pittsburgh with some resistance, not
knowing whether a 73-year-young 1150 player could hold up under the rigors of a week-long, six
hours per day schedule of calisthenics, practice, and play.
Other older table tennis devotees might be interested to get the happy report that there
turned out to be no problem at all. The well-planned program by Danny, Ricky, and Randy
Seemiller and Perry Schwartzberg was almost equally balanced for each of us attending the camp
and we were truly a diverse bunch. Ages ranged from 14 to 73; ratings from 700 to 1700; both men
and women (one of whom even admitted to being over 40).
In retrospect, the camp was a vacation bargain. Not only did I sweat out the intricacies of
table tennis stroking, but I had a thoroughly good time as well.
When I was about the age of the youngest in our group, an outstanding bargain I still
remember was the Two cents plain (seltzer) our baseball team ordered after the game at the local
drugstore soda fountain. The friendly old druggist would always add a squirt of syrup on the
house, handing us a nickel soda. By comparison, the Seemiller-camp bargain was to me, 60some years later, the Two cents plain, plus the squirt of strawberry syrup, and an additional
topping of whipped cream! It would be nice if there were a dozen such camps available throughout
the country.

422

Chapter Twenty-Eight
1986: Zoran Kosanovic/Mariann Domonkos Win Canadian
Nationals. 1986: An Inside Look at Jeff Masons Advanced Coaching
Program. 1986: Pre-U.S. Open May-June Tournaments (Eric Boggan/
Insook Bhushan Take North American Championships). 1986: Sean
ONeill Writes An Important Letter.
Well-known longtime Internationals Zoran Zoki Kosanovic and Mariann Domonkos
added more titles to their already impressive resumes when at the Canadian National
Championships, held May 16-19 in Toronto, Kosanovic won the Mens Singles and Doubles,
and Domonkos the Womens Singles and Womens and Mixed Doubles.
Results:
Mens Team: 1.
Ontario. 2.
Canadian Closed
Quebec. 3.
Mens Champion
Zoran Kosonovic
British Columbia.
4. Alberta. 5.
New Brunswick.
6. Manitoba. 7.
Saskatchewan. 8.
Nova Scotia.
Mens Singles:
Final: Kosanovic
d. Joe Ng, 12, Canadian Closed Mens Runner-up Joe Ng 17, -15, 18, 13. Semis: Kosanovic d. Horatio Pintea,
From Tees Sport
15, -21, 14 [sic: only three games reported]; Ng d.
Alain Bourbonnais, 19, 12, -12, -14, 18. Quarters:
Kosanovic d. Bao Nguyen, 17, 12, -16, 6; Pintea d. John Mah, 8, 14, 15; Ng d. Eddie Lo,
20, 20, -13, -20, 11. Bourbonnais d. David Mahabir, 20, 11, 9. Mens Doubles: Final:
Kosanovic/
Ng d. Lo/
Paul Judd, 17, 17, 8.
Semis:
Kosanovic/
Ng d. Pintea/
Bourbonnais,
12, -13, 10;
Lo/Judd d.
Nguyen/
Mitch
Rothfleisch,
16, 13.
Canadian Closed Womens Champion
Mens UCanadian Closed Womens Runner-up
Mariann Domonkos
2000:
Final:
Gloria Hsu - might have been Champ
Photo by Mal Anderson
423

Ben Mah d. Richard Mah, 19, 14. Semis: B. Mah d. Boris Rainer, 8, 19, 17; R. Mah d.
Maurice Moore, 17, 18. Mens Seniors: [No results reported.]
Womens Team: 1. Ontario. 2. British Columbia. 3. Quebec. 4. Alberta. 5.
Newfoundland. 6. Nova Scotia. 7. Saskatchewan. 8. New Brunswick. Womens Singles: Final:
Domonkos d. Cindy Choy, 9, 9, 19. Semis: Domonkos d. Gloria Hsu, -11, -18, 14, 9, 19
(Mariann was able to win her 10th National Singles Championship by rallying here in the semis
not only from two games down, but from 18-7 down in the fifth); Choy d. Thanh Mach, 16,
19, -16, 17. Quarters: Domonkos d. Christine Paquet,13, 9, 9; Hsu d. Becky McKnight, -20,
9, 18, 6; Choy d. Helene Bedard, -17, 11, 6, 12; Mach d. Julie Barton, 14, 12, 13. Womens
Doubles: Final: Domonkos/Nathalie Patel d. Choy/Fong Seow, 15, 16. Semis: Domonkos/
Patel d. Paquet/Lyne Desjardins, 17, 17; Choy/Seow d. Hsu/Mach, 19, -11, 16. Mixed
Doubles: Final: Domonkos/Pintea d. Choy/Lo, 14, 16. Semis: Domonkos/Pintea d. Hsu/Peter
Ng, 13, 12; Choy/Lo d. Mach/Joe Ng, -16, 17, 20. Womens U-1600: Final: Cathy Chu d.
Caroline Sylvestre, 16, -19, 10. Semis: Chu d. Francine Larente, 15, 15; Sylvestre d. Daiva
Koperski, -22, 15, 13.
Kathy Goodwin (TTT, May-June, 1986, 4; 6) gives us a look at
Jeff Masons Advanced Coaching Program:
Its 5:00 on a Friday evening in Sacramento, CA and most
young people are heading for a weekend dance, a basketball game,
the local pizza-video parlor, or the hottest neighborhood hangout.
But at Table Tennis World, 13 young people and one very young
person are leaning against the wall and stretching out, rackets in hand, in preparation for Jeff
Masons Advanced Coaching Program workout. The shortest member of the group (28),
Andrew Goodwin, 18 months, leans against the wall and waves a miniature racket, knowing
that momentarily he will be sent behind the barriers to spend the evening throwing balls at
whoever is available in the front office.
The Program at Table Tennis World was started by Jeff Mason last summer and has
already resulted in a group of players whose ratings are rapidly moving toward the Masters
level. Many of the participants in the Program had not even picked up a table tennis racket two
years ago, and yet, within the past year, as a group they have posted many wins against
opponents in the 2000 to 2150-rating category.
The first nine months of the Program have been primarily a developmental
perioddevelopment of perfect strokes and of the styles and techniques that form the
foundation of world-class table tennis. Recently, Jeff has been focusing the sessions on
strategic and tactical approaches to the gamehow his students can win points and games by
using their heads. Always, however, the emphasis is on fairness and honesty and a reliance on
ones own abilities rather than on the possibilities related to taking advantage of an opponent or
a situation in which there is questionable adherence not only to the rules but to the ethics of the
sport.
The intensive coaching/training sessions are held twice a weekon Monday and Friday
evenings from 5:00 to 8:00. The first hour is devoted to warm-ups, group lectures, and
individual discussions. Students also view video tapes of themselves and of other players that
highlight individual strengths and weaknesses. The next two hours are spent on practice drills
which are assigned on an individual basis in order to improve particular techniques and/or
change problem areas of each students game.
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On the other days of the week each student is required to spend two hours practicing
assigned drills, and those sessions are scheduled from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Table Tennis World.
Three times a week members must work out in an Exercise Program that includes weightlifting, footwork drills, and aerobics; in addition, each student must spend 15 minutes daily
doing isometric exercises. The summer schedule differs
from that of the school year in that it includes longer
workouts and more frequent coaching sessions, as well as
a Conditioning Program that includes running six miles
every other day.
The Program is a physically and time-consuming
one for all concerned and, because of the highly
individualized nature of the sessions, Jeff would prefer to
keep the number of participants at 10 but has yielded to
demand and now has closed enrollment at 13. Many of
the students in the Advanced Coaching Program have
been selected from the Developmental Coaching Program
(where beginning-to- intermediate-level players are
Cindy Miller
coached by Jeff, assisted by Cindy Miller), and there is
Photo by Mal Anderson
often a list of applicants for this Advanced Program.
Why do these students involve themselves with
such a rigorous Program to become skilled in a game that few Americans even recognize as a
serious athletic sport? Much of the credit for this accomplishment undoubtedly belongs to Jeff
Mason, who dreamed and planned of such an undertaking for years. Jeff is a past U.S. Open
A Singles Champion and a USTTA Certified National Coach who has been teaching table
tennis for over 17 years. Along with wife Mona and sister-in-law Cindy, Jeff has been
operating Table Tennis World for the past five years.
Jeffs unique coaching philosophy is one that is based on his concept of dealing with
each student as an individual and as a total person. At the same time he expects his students to
conform to certain standards of excellence. These standards and goals are related to a
continued commitment to the sport and to the Program, as well as to a willingness to maintain a
playing attitude that he terms good-sporting-like, and which he describes as being based on
the Golden Rule of treating ones opponent as one wishes to be treated.
Jeff focuses his students attention more on their own individual achievement and selfimprovement than on winning particular matches, and he encourages them to
sacrifice the quick and easy win to a concentration on particular techniques,
forms, and styles that aim toward long-range attainment of a world-class
game-style and playing level. He considers each persons size, age,
temperament, body- build, playing strengths and weaknesses, and aptitudes
when helping the person determine the particular style and techniques that
will work for that particular player. By dealing with all aspects of the
individuals play and lifestyle he assists each player to integrate table tennis
into the development of his/her total person.
Some of the aspects that Jeff deals with are nutrition, total physical
conditioning, how to deal with pressure, coping with choking, the benefits
of a healthy competitive attitude, and the importance of the teen years for
How not to run six
miles every other day reaching full playing potential during an individuals pre-career/college years.
425

One of the mainstays of Jeffs teaching philosophy is that the game must be enjoyable
and fun in order for the player to remain motivated enough to stay with the Program for the
length of time it takes to produce concrete results. He does this by maintaining a positive
approach when offering coaching advice (the negative advice is given in a positive
mannerthis contradiction in terms has to be observed to be really understood) and offering
enough variety in drills, practice partners, techniques, and coaching sessions to make the
Program interesting to each member. One of Jeffs standard techniques is to have the students
use exaggerated and very clean strokes when they are first learning the sport in order to
develop an automatic and unconscious adherence to a perfect world-class form which will
carry the student as he or she progresses in ability and game-style.
While eight of the students are sponsored by Stiga-Yasaka and receive clothing and
equipment from the manufacturer, the Program itself is self-supporting and does not receive any
direct subsidies from the USTTA. The sponsorship is reviewed on a quarterly basis and those
sponsored may vary from time to time. All students pay a coaching fee of $15/week (a bargain
for six hours a week for professional coaching and supervision for many more hours of
practice!) and, in addition, are required to keep their club memberships current, participate in
weekly league sessions, and compete in each of Table Tennis Worlds USTTA-sanctioned
tournamentsall of which add up to considerable expense for each student.
While the in-residence programs at Colorado Springs and Lake Placid would offer the
benefit of being relatively expense-free for these serious table tennis athletes, the students who
participate in the training at Table Tennis World prefer the advantages that come with this
particular Program. They appreciate being able to live at home with their families, attend local
schools and most of all receive their training from a coach who has earned their respect and
esteem while making the training and the Program essentially an enjoyable experience. The
students also benefit from the other activities offered by the staff of Table Tennis
Worldfrequent sanctioned tournaments, the facilitys hours (open daily), league play at least
three nights a week, and daily open practice sessions attended by other advanced-level players
who are not enrolled in the Program, and who offer the students a variety of highly-skilled
practice partners. The students are often asked by Jeff to participate in demonstrations and
exhibitions at schools and shopping malls, and they find the attention and applause of the
amazed spectators very rewarding.
The students who make up Table Tennis Worlds Advanced Coaching Program range in
age from 12 to 35. Each player has a different reason for participating in the training sessions
and an individual approach to the sport.
Although Jeff Mason describes his Coaching Program as one which is meant to prepare table
tennis students for world-class competition and play, almost all of his students spoke of the much more
immediate and yet life-long benefits that they are receiving from the Program. Benefits such as enjoying
the game much more as their playing level and skills advance; being able to pay closer attention to
physical conditioning and nutrition; improving their ability to handle the pressures of competition; and
increasing self-control and self-discipline. Benefits which very well may, sometime during the next decade,
lead one or more of them into Olympic competitionand maybe even to victory.
Results of the COLOWYO (Colorado/Wyoming) Closed, held in Denver, May 18:
Championship Singles: Final: Insook Bhushan d. Chris Fullbright, 16, 18, 14. Semis: Bhushan
d. Diana Gee, 11, 14, 15; Fullbright d. Dhiren Narotam, -13, 18, 18, 17. Championship
Doubles: Final: David Chun/Fullbright d. Gene Lonnon/Narotam, 19, 17. Semis: Chun/
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Fullbright d. Bhushan/Gee, 19, 18; Lonnon/Narotam d. Toni Gresham/

Keith Kalny, 13, 15. As: Final: Li Ai d. Dennis Driggs, 17, 16. Semis:
Ai d. T. Gresham, 19, -19. 16; Driggs d. Dennis Gresham, 15, 18. Bs:
Final: Bob Jackson d. Tim Walsh, 12, -19, 13. Semis: Jackson d. Wes
Wolfe, -20, 6, 19; Walsh d. Lee Rodriques, -22, 22, 15. Cs: Final:
Kevin Young d. Jim Walker, 14, 14. Semis: Young d. Debbie Moya,
15, 8; Walker d. David Driggs, 16, 15. Ds: Final: Sheila Weissberg d.
Tim Eiles, -16, 17, 18. Semis: Weissberg d. Mike Tastanoski, 13, 9;
Eiles d. Cindy Smith, 9, 13. Es: Final: Scott Brown d. Tim Jacobs, 18, 17, 16. Semis: Brown d. Martin Vostry, 18, 19; Jacobs d. Greg
Binsfield, 16, 17. Juniors: Final: Narotam d. Gee, 18, 15. Semis:
Narotam d. Chi-Ming Chui, 13, -22, 14; Gee d. Chi Ngo, 19, 9.

Martin Vostry

Allen Cornelius (TTT, Sept.-Oct., 1986, 26) tells

us that Over 9,000 athletes competed in the 36 sports
at this years Sooner State Games, held in Oklahoma
City on June 26-29.
A total of 71 table tennis players participated in
events at the Myriad Convention Center, site of two
previous U.S. Opens. Though the lighting was a bit
dim due to some burned-out light-bulbs, the eight Stiga tables provided by Table Tennis America
helped to improve the playing conditions.
Twenty-seven non-USTTA members played in four non-sanctioned events that exposed the
sport to new, interested players. The 44 USTTA members played in eight events, in which Jay
Herod reigned supreme, winning both the Open and Mens Singles. Russell Finley picked up a
medal in all four events he entered, including a Gold in his first ever Seniors event.
Thanks should go to Tournament Director Lara Cornelius for her pre-tournament
preparation and her 10 hours behind the control desk. Also deserving kudos to Lonnie Walker and
Bob OReilly, whose assistance enabled the tournament to be the success that it was.
Results: Open Singles: Final: Jay Herod d. Stefan Zolarek, 9, 19. Semis:
Herod d. Brian Thomas, 18, 5; Zolarek d. Russell Finley, 11, -11, 15. 3rd-Place:
Finley d. Thomas, def. Mens Singles: Final: Herod d. Finley, 22, 16. Semis:
Herod d. Dennis Crawford, 15, -21, 13; Finley d. Thomas, 5, 18. 3rd-Place:
Crawford d. Thomas, def. Womens Singles: Final: Carlene Sanchez d. Jennifer
Dejacacion, 17, 17. Open Doubles: Troy Sanchez/Tony Chan d. Reed Kyker/
Zolarek, 16, -8, 18. Semis: Sanchez/Chan d. Thomas/Crawford, 24, 19;
Kyker/Zolarek d. Finley/Alan Stacey, -14, 8, 17. 3rd-Place: Finley/Stacey d.
Thomas/Crawford, 18, 20. Mens Recreational Singles: Final: Son Nguyen d.
David Ngo, 14, -18, 17. Semis: Nguyen d. Tay Dang, 12, 11; Ngo d. Ali
Serafi-Pour, 13, 8. 3rd-Place: Dang d. Serafi-Pour, 20, 17. Jr. 17s: Final: Trey
Brian Thomas
Adams d. Kyker, 14, -17, 12. Semis: Adams d. Mike Bailey, 9, 17; Kyker d.
Tai Nguyen, 22, 13. 3rd-place: Bailey d. Nguyen, -16, 17, 23. Jr. 15s: Final:
Derek Vo d. John Walker, 15, 17. Semis: Vo d. Newton Agrawal, 19, 12; Walker d. Sheldon
Stites, -14, 15, 15. 3rd-Place: Stites d. Agrawal, 9, -14, 13. Jr. 13s: Final: Mike Reif d. Scott
Keveryn, 19, 21. Semis: Reif d. David Shaha, 16, 15; Keveryn d. Alex Albers. 3rd-Place: Shaha d.
Albers, def.
427

Tom Walsh, in
addition to giving us
Brandon
the winners at the
Olson
Omaha Holiday
[Memorial Day?]
Two-Star Open,
emphasizes the
following match:
In an exciting
finale, Brandon Olson
edged Omahas Todd
Petersen in five
games. Brandon had
been in town visiting
Todd for a week before the tournament, and they had been playing quite oftenevenly at times.
Todd felt he had a chance to win, but he also said he realized practice was one thing and a
tournament match another, since 200 rating points separated the two.
Still, the match was more than even, with Todd holding a 2-1 lead at the break. But then
Brandon won the final two games with careful, paced shots, while Toddwith his usual charisma and
competitive spiritnever gave up. Some of the points were all that the crowd could wish for: lots of
counter-hitting and looping, with Brandon sometimes lobbing high spinners that Todd rarely missed.
At the end of the day, Brandon was $200 richer. But Todd did not have to hang his head in
losing, as both put on a wonderful match of high-level table tennis.
Winners: Open Singles: Final: Olson d. Petersen, 3-2. Semis: Olson d. Jim Lynum, 3-0;
Petersen d. Houshang Bozorgzadeh, 3-1. U-2000s: Final: Lynum d. David Barnes, n.s. Semis:
Lynum d. Bob Gellner, n.s.; Barnes d. Paul Lykke, n.s. U-1750s: Final: Ngoc Kim d. David
Rodgers, 17, 23. U-1500s: Final: Steve Jin d. Karl Verby, 14, 8. First Timers Singles: Final: Jim
Feltman d. Mike Harburg, -18, 13, 15.
Todd
Petersen

Heres why two rising 1800-rated Minnesota juniors, Tryg and Thor Truelson, caught the
attention of an unidentified writer (TTT, May-June, 1986, 9):
The two brothers convinced their parents to pursue the services of a top-flight, paid, live-in
instructor. And, shockingly enough, their oriental cleaning lady connected them with a world-class
Chinese coach/player.
They waited six months but the newest foreign world-class arrival to the U.S. is 28-year-old
Lu Qi-Wei. Lu was ranked 5th in the world, and in 1981 was a key player on the Chinese National
Mens Team. His career highlights include winning the French and Scandinavian Open Singles titles
in the late 70s, as well as the Chinese Nationals.
For the past two years he coached at the Chinese National Sports Institute in Beijing and is
highly respected among Chinas top table tennis officials, not to mention his good friend and former
World Singles Champion Guo Yuehua. Lu was coached in his youth by Chuang Tse-tung, whom
many table tennis luminaries feel is the greatest player of all time.
The Truelsons believe their new coach is the key in their quest to pass up their rivals and
reach a nationally elite level of play. Minnesota has always had a talented pool of juniors, and the
competition between the intermediate group is fierce. His coaching is going to take us right to the
topand thats exactly where we want to be, said one of the brothers.
428

Lu is married and plans to study English while coaching Tryg, Thor, and
their sister Rio. His wife is expected to join him in the U.S. this July.
Although he hasnt played in serious competition since turning coach a few
years ago, many predict he will give the top seeds at this years U.S.
Open trouble. Regardless of his current playing level [see below his
May -17, -14 loss in the local Open to Brandon Olson], he is now an
excellent coach who is eager to see his students improve.
n
o
s
You can tell those dudes in Sacramento and Colorado Springs
el
ru
T
to watch out, said Thor Truelson. Our coach is preparing us for big
o
Ri
victories at this years Junior Olympics. Its Great!
Results of the Minnesota Spring Open, played May 17-18 at Disneys Table Tennis
Center: Open Singles: Final: Brandon Olson d. Lu Qi-Wei, 17, 14. Semis: Olson, 3-0 (d.
Mitch Seidenfeld, Dennis Schimmel, and Len Witz, all 2-0). 2. Lu, 3-0 (d. Tom Odette, Thor
Truelson, and Mahdi Zadeh, all 2-0). As: Final RR: 1. Odette, 2-1 (d. Witz, 2-0; d. Schimmel, 21). 2. Schimmel, 2-1 (d. Truelson, 2-0; d. Witz, 2-0). 3. Witz, 1-2 (d. Truelson, 2-0). 4. Truelson,
1-2 (d. Odette, 2-1). U-1800s: Final R.R. 1. Schimmel, 4-0 (d. Zadeh, 2-1; d. Larson, Beberg,
and Witz, all 2-0). 2. Don Larson, 3-1 (d. Zadeh, Beberg, and Witz, all 2-0). 3. Mahdi, 2-2 (d.
Beberg, 2-1; d. Witz, 2-0). 4. Witz, 1-3 (d. Beberg, 2-0). 5. Harlan Beberg, 0-4. U-1600s: Final:
Russ Walker d. Tom Hui, 2-0. Semis: Walker, 3-0 (d. Witz, 2-1; d. Merle Lonnon and Jeff Aratia,
2-1; Hui, 3-0 (d. Jeff Boese, 2-1; d. Karl Verby and Dick Thompson, 2-0).
Esquires: Final R.R. 1. Orv Anatomic Anderson, 5-0 (d. Lonnon, Halpern, P. Seidenfeld,
all 2-1; d. Thompson, 2-0; d. Stivers, def.). 2. Merle Loose Neck) Lonnon, 4-1 (d. Halpern and
Seidenfeld, 2-0; d. Stivers and Thompson, def.). 3. Chester The Molester Halpern, 3-2 (d.
Stivers, Seidenfeld, and Thompson, all 2-0). 4. Phil (Sour Bat) Seidenfeld, 2-3 (d. Thompson, 20; d. Stivers, def.). Seniors: Final: Shu Fun Lee d. Lonnon. Both Lee and Lonnon d. Paul Totting,
Sr., Dick Thompson, and Al Stivers. Juniors: Final: 1. Greg Kerkow, 4-0. 2. James White, 2-2. 3.
Jia-Yi Lee, 2-2. 4. Dave Androschiko, 2-2. 5. Jonathan Tatting, 0-4.
W.V. Plue (TTT, May-June, 1986, 35), in
addition to giving us results, welcomed B.K. Arunkumar,
Championship Singles winner, at the May 3 Hattiesburg,
MS Michelob tournament:
B.K. Arunkumar, came, saw, and conquered as he
made his Championship victory look easy. In the final round
robin, he took the measure of runner-up Keith LaFrance,
Defending Champion Dave Collins, and Don Flowers in
straight games [the best anyone in this final round robin could
do in any one game was 21-13]. B.K.s defensive cuts were
outstanding, but he also showed some brilliant offensive
drives from places where no one (opponents or spectators)
thought it possible. It was a pleasure to have B.K., as he is a gentleman and a credit to the game.
Other results: Championship Doubles: Final: LaFrance/Sushil Prem d. Gerald Harris/
Flowers, 16, 18. Flight 1: Final: Tom Wintrich d. Bob Humphrey, 16, -18, 17. Flight 2: Final: Mel
Evans d. Joe Mazer, -21, 17, 17. Flight 3: Final: Don Newcombe d. Paul Vancura, 16, 13. A
Consolation: Final: Power Poon d. Chris Rivette, 18, 19. B Consolation: Final: Leon Curry d. Herb
Bennett, 18, 17. B Doubles: Final: Stoney Payton/HoYung d. Poon/Mel Douglas, 16, 17.
429

I was in Baltimore for the beginning of the May 31-June 1 $7,200 North
American Championships, and I presume (since no story or extended results were
ever printed in Topics) that I probably had intended to write up this prestigious
225-entry, 29-event tournament. But I got news that would change my life some
and quite abruptly left Baltimore (more on that later). Fortunately, reporter James
Jackson gave the tournament some coverage in the local June 2nd Sun:
The best the United States has to offer in table tennis captured titles at the
North American Table Tennis Championships at the Greenspring Racquet Club. Top-seeded Eric
Boggan of Merrick, N.Y., the top-ranked male player in the U.S., won the Mens Singles title by
defeating Torontos Joe Ng, 21-8, 21-16, 21-10.

North America
Womens Runner-up
Diana Gee
Photo by
Mal Anderson

North American Womens Champion Insook Bhushan

Photo by Mal Anderson

Insook Bhushan, a transplanted South

Korean living in Aurora, CO and the countrys top-ranked female player, won the Womens Singles
title and $400 by defeating Diana Gee, 17, of San Carlos, CA, 21-9, 21-16, 21-16.
Boggan, 22, in addition to his $600 first prize, earned a trip to the World Cup Tournament.
This year held in Trinidad/Tobago, it is one of the most prestigious in the world, for it offers its select
field of 16 men players $58,000 in prize money.
North American Mens
Runner-up Joe Ng
North American
Mens Champion
Eric Boggan

430

Although Boggan would seem to have won his Mens final here with straight-game ease, he
said that Canadas Ng gave him trouble. Joe is a very good playerhes always attacking, said
Eric. He plays aggressive topspin all the time and Im more of a blocker, a passive-type player.
Partial results: Mens semis: Boggan d. Canadas Horatio Pintea, 18, 9, 16; Ng d.
Chartchai Teekaveerakit, -16, 9, 14, -19, 12. Womens semis: Bhushan d. Lisa Gee, 10, 15, 10;
D. Gee d. Canadas Mariann Domonkos, 20, -21, -17, 19, 20 [wish Id been there to write that
one up]. Mens Doubles: Ng/Pintea d. Teekaveerakit/Sean ONeill, 15, 17. Womens Doubles:
Canadas Thanh Mach/Cindy Choy d. Canadas Domonkos/Gloria Hsu, 19, 12. Mixed Doubles:
Canadas Ng/Domonkos d. Dan Seemiller/ Bhushan, 10, 11. Class As: D. Gee d. Ben Nisbet, 14,
18. Bs: Michael Henry d. Stu Kroll, 19, 17, 20. B Doubles: Jeff Harris/Cindy Tepper d. Roy
Emmons/Rick Kablonski, -17, 18, 18. Girls U-17: L. Gee d. D. Gee, 18, 7.
New Jersey State Champions for 1986 were decided on May 3-4
at the Westfield Club: Results: Championship Singles: Final R.R. 1. Rey
Domingo, 3-0 (d. Dattel, 7, 12, 13; d. Eisner, 11, 7, 14; d. Cameron, 16, 13, 14). 2. Barry Dattel,
2-1 (d. Eisner, 10, 14, 19; d. Cameron, 17, -11, 14, 20). 3. George Cameron, 1-2 (d. Eisner,
def.). 4. Brian Eisner, 0-3. Womens Singles: Final R.R.: 1. Jasmine Wang, 2-0 (d. Fu, 17, 16; d.
Migdall, 9, 9). 2. Joan Fu, 1-1 (d. Migdall, 9, 9). 3. Joyce Migdall, 0-2. Championship Doubles:
Final: Dattel/Christian Lillieroos d. Cameron/John Sisti, 19, -18, 21. Semis: Dattel/Lillieroos d.
Eisner/Alan Fendrick, 10, 17; Cameron/Sisti d. Domingo/Harvey Gutman, -20, 19, 18. Mixed
Doubles: Final R.R.: 1. Dattel/Wang, 2-0 (d. Lillieroos/Fu, 17, 18; d. Domingo/Migdall, 9, 8). 2.
Lillieroos/Fu, 1-1 (d. Domingo/Migadall, 9, -21, 14). 3. Domingo/Migdall, 0-2.
U-2100s: Final: Bob Holland d. Fendrick, 15, 19, -8, -16, 13. Semis: Holland d. John
Andrade, -12, 14, 21; Fendrick d. Harvey Gutman, 18, 18. U-1975s: Final: John Jarema d.
Debashis Kushary, -19, 16, 23, -10, 15. Semis: Jarema d. Mike Murphy, -13, 17, 18; Kushary d.
David Lowry, 12, 13. U-1850s: Final: Robert Saperstein d. Brian McKnight, 16, 10. Semis:
Saperstein d. Edwin Gutman, 12, 14; McKnight d. Stuart Sinder, -20, 26, 26. Jr. 17 Doubles: Final:
Ingo Forstner/Michael Sinder d. Mike Galbraith/Anthony Truong, -18, 17, 15. Semis: Forstner/
Sinder d. Adrian Roy, Jr./Sujit Bhattacharyha, 14, 19; Galbraith/Truong d. Curtis Tao/Don Tao, 13,
18. Jr. 13 Doubles: Final: Galbraith/Truong d. Duane Thomas/John Ellis, 17, 19. Semis: Galbraith/
Truong d. C. Tao/Ivan Lee, 10, 8; Thomas/Ellis d. Brian Ertel/Craig Karnis, 7, 10.
Two
weeks later,
Westfield paid
homage to Mel
Eisner with their
monthly Open in
his name: Open
Singles: Final:
Rey Domingo d.
George
Brathwaite, 19,
14, -17, 17.
George Brathwaite
Rey Domingo
Semis:
Domingo d. Barry Dattel, -20, 10, 13, 14; Brathwaite d. Christian Wieth, -17, 10, 5, 14. Open
431

Doubles: Final: Seamus Clarke/Dattel d. Brathwaite/Bill Sharpe, 17, 16.

Semis: Clarke/Dattel d. Rey Domingo/Vicky Wong, 19, 16; Brathwaite/
Sharpe d. Dave Sakai/Eyal Adini, -18, 21, 17. U-2300s: Final: George
Cameron d. John Allen, 18, 16, 15. Semis: Cameron d. Fu-lap Lee;
Allen d. Sakai, 10, 18. U-2125s: Final: Wieth d. Kok Liung, 18, -14,
18, -18, 17. Semis: Wieth d. Marius Wechsler, 14, 12; Liung d. ManLing Shum, 19, 19. U-2000s: Final: Michael Henry d. Trieu Chieu, 13,
17. Semis: Henry d. Ton-Fee Chin, 11, 15; Chieu d. Andy Diaz, 18, 18, 19. U-1875s: Final: Mike Murphy d. Don Miller, 11, 13. Semis:
Andre Diaz
Murphy d. Mel Maxwell, 19, 18; Miller d. Marv Plevinsky, 15, 16. U1775s: Final: Chris Winters d. Stuart Sinder, -15, 8, 17. Semis: Winters d. Sam Huang, 16, 16;
Sinder d. Eric Rothfleisch, 15, 8. U-1625s: Final: Winters d. Tom MacPherson, 16, 13. Semis:
Winters d. Judith Ackerman, 16, 13; MacPherson d. Bob Barns, 12, 8. U-1475s: Final: Pierre
Dorcely d. Nova Zakaev, 16, 15. Semis: Dorcely d. Shawhan Fox, 4, 11; Zakaev d. Anthony
Truong, -12, 18, 17.
Sugaru Araki also had the May 24th Cambridge, MA Open named after him. Results: Open
Singles: Final: Rey Domingo d. Lim Ming Chui, 13, 12, 16. Semis: Domingo d. John Allen, -13, 11,
21, 16; Chui d. Steven Mok, 15, -19, 19, 17. Quarters: Domingo d. Kurt Douty, 16, 11, 12; Allen
d. Christian Wieth, 19, 16, -19, 19; Chui d. Dave Shapiro, 11, 5, 11; Mok d. Chi-Sun Chui, -15,
12, 13, 9. Open Doubles: Final: Mok/L.M. Chui d. Wieth/Allen, 20, -10, 9. Semis: Mok/Chui d.
Douty/Ralph Bockhoven, 10, 8; Wieth/Allen d. Domingo/Suguru Araki, 17, 16. U-2300s: Final:
Chi-Sun Chui d. Shapiro, -15, -16, 17. Semis: Chui d. Douty, -12, 20, 18; Shapiro d. Carl
Danner, -18, 9, 17. U-2200s: Final: Wieth d. Douty, 8, 16. Semis: Wieth d. Bockhoven, 13, -15,
9; Douty d. Marta Zurowski, 14, -19, 18. U-2000s: Final: Bockhoven d. Tak-Yin Wong, 10, -14,
21. Semis: Bockhoven d. Robert Zarren, 7, 8; Wong d. Trieu Chieu, -18, 11, 14. U-1900s: Final:
Ajay Gupta d. Haig Raky. -10, 13, 20. Semis: Gupta d. Kim Farrow, 15, 15; Raky d. Dennis
Kaminsky, 13, 12. U-1800s: Final: Michael Reterski d. Kaminsky, 10, -19, 12. Semis: Reterski d.
Dick Batten, 18, 20; Kaminsky d. Howard Reben, 18, 19.
U-1700s: Final: Czaba Nagy d. Reben, 6, -19, 10. Semis: Nagy d. Jim Brown, 19, 17;
Reben d. Batten, -7, 17, 20. U-1600s: Nagy d. John Lohfeld, 18, 19. Semis: Nagy d. Margaret
Hzieh, 13, -16, 11; Lohfeld d. Carl Skeete, 15, 10. U-1500s: Final: Steve Yee d. Stephen
Elberfeld, 19, -17, 10. Semis: Yee d. Skeete, -16, 20, 19; Elberfeld d. Gary Ehrhardt, 20, 16. U1400s: Final: Ehrhardt d. Ray Gallucci, 7, 17. Semis: Ehrhardt d. Nick Gangi, 19, -20, 13;
Gallucci d. Joseph Zarzour, 19, 18. U-1300s: Final: Jane Chui d. Richard Marr, 14, 17. Semis:
Chui d. Lin-Yu Tee, 13, -19, 18; Marr d. Michael Kardamis, 16, 12. U-1200s: Final: Tee d.
Patrick Shorb, 17, 21. Semis: Tee d. Kardamis, -13, 13, 19; Shorb d. David Cyrluk, 15, 17. U1000s: Final: Kardamis d. Carole Ann Marchi, 11, 14. Semis: Kardamis d. Josh Mishara, 6, 12;
Marchi d. Charlie Tang, 9, 15. Unrated: Makuria d. Hanh Phelps, 7, 9. Semis: Makuria d. Yoram
Moses, -19, 16, 17; Phelps d. Peter Zagrafos, 14, 18.
Mary McIlwain (TTT, Sept.-Oct., 1986, 26) reports on the California International, held
June 7-8 in Alhambra, CA:
Five of the worlds top-ranked countries, including Mens and Womens teams from the
Peoples Republic of China, competed in the third annual California International Tournament.
Chinas Teng Yi won the Mens Singles, Xu Yan Hua the Womens.
432

The tournament was sponsored by the Southern California Table Tennis Association
(SCTTA), and was organized by Dr. Jiing T. Wang, Chairman of the SCTTAs International Affairs
Committee.
The main reason we are holding this world-class tournament in Southern California every
year is to promote table tennis inside our community, said the highly respected Dr. Wang. Another
purpose is for the advancement of international goodwill through a continuation of the Ping-Pong
Diplomacy established last decade.

Bill Hodge
Photo by Mal Anderson

USTTA Vice
Chinas World #1 Geng Lijuan (with a much impressed Bernie Bukiet far left) President Bill Hodge had a
neat, first-hand experience
with Diplomacy when the Womens #1-ranked player, Geng Lijuan, graciously offered him a sheet
of the newest Chinese rubber while sitting next to him on the sidelines.
Top-rated U.S. players who participated were Quang Bui, Khoa Nguyen, Jimmy Butler for
the men, and Carol Davidson, Lan Vuong, and Julie Au for the women.
U.S. Champion Sean ONeill has returned from Europe to play in the North American
Championships and the upcoming U.S. Open. But, having spent four long months in Sweden and
having had a lot of trouble sleeping, hed written a letter to me (at 6:00 a.m. Falkenberg time) in
response to my Presidential assurance that Id listen to what he had to say. I quote much of this
letter here, not because it offers new
thoughts to those privy to whats been
discussed about the sport in the four
months Seans been abroad, but because
it has historic value. It shows Seans
unusual 19-year-old maturity, specifically
in his zeal and goal-forming foresight to
succeed with regard to his own and his
countrys progress in table tennis. We see
here in this formative letter why, with his
professional approach, hell continue in
the next quarter-century to accomplish so
St. George and the Dragon, The Great Church, Old Stockholm much.
433

Being the only American here for my entire stay has put me in a funny situation. It seems
like all Swedish players, coaches, and t.t. companies expect me to explain why table tennis has
never hit it big in the U.S. I come over here to practice serve returns and I get comments like,
Without the U.S. hitting [connecting with the public at large], were stuck with a second-class
sport.It takes a U.S. market for table tennis to do what tennis has done.Do you guys even
have a guaranteed team in the Olympics?Since I have devoted my entire life, like you and your
sons have, to table tennis, I thought to myself maybe I ought to give this overall question of Why
hasnt table tennis hit in the U.S.? more consideration.
Ive had many sleep-tossing nights feeling that I as a U.S. Champion could make a
difference. I note here that if ever the USTTA needs an extra pair of hands I will always be
available. Regardless of my age I believe my 11 years involvement in the sport says
something.Youre still listening, right?
I am a player who will find it tough to make a living if I only play ping-pong. To make things
easier on mom and dad I became good enough (1650) to obtain a sponsor. Free rubber, rackets,
and clothes I got. As the years went on, the sponsorship I received continued to improve. A year
and a half ago, I found out that I was the only amateur making any money! Why? There are
certainly enough others with potential.
The first question that needs to be asked to improve
table tennis in the U.S. is, How to attain sponsorship for our
top players? When I was younger I simply wrote a letter to
Bowie Martin listing my goals, stating my practice habits, and
telling him I thought Sriver was a good rubber. When I was 11
years old, I received about $600 yearly from Bowie to help get
me to the U.S. Open and Closed. Seven years later, I am sure
that if I made the same amount from him I would still be the
highest-paid amateur. Problem is: table tennis companies have
a very limited amount of dollars to give out. Sponsorship must
come from outside of table tennis. It took me some time to
learn that because, as my College English teacher said, Sean,
sometimes you dont listen too well.
Eleven-year-old Sean with Butterflys
So my first assignment when I get home is to write
Hikosuke Tamasu
letters to a number of major corporations asking if they would
like to exchange advertisement rights for sponsorship. The list that came to me at 3:00 a.m. one
night was: Pepsi, Coke, MacDonalds, Kodak, 7-Up, 7-11, Sony, Canon, Ford.These were just
the names of companies I thought of that had too many commercials on during sporting events.
I have more marketability than your average Barry Dattel, but if he wrote to 100 companies
I am sure he would get two or three positive responses and probably more than the $600 I got from
Bowie my first contract. Our players should be informed by their Presidentyes, youthat they
are missing out on a Golden Opportunity by not spending a day or two asking for local, regional, or
national sponsorship, whatevers possible. If only a NO is received, then we have at least raised
eyebrows a little. Tim, it really is up to us, the U.S., to make table tennis big for the rest of the
world.
Also, to further this aim, U.S. high school opportunities need to be exploited. Consider the
number of injuries to teenagers playing various sportsbasketball or track and field, for example,
where knees take a beating. Im sure many parents would go for a safer, non-contact sport. Its not
just start in schools, as Carl Danner says, its that we have to start in the high schools. Is there any
434

possible way we could set up a prototype high school league in one county in the U.S.? Have Stiga
or Butterfly give 16 tables for an eight-team (four players to a team) competition similar to Swedish
League play? The winning team would be crowned National High School Table Tennis Champions.
And the sponsoring t.t. company would move toward getting a foothold, or at least a toehold, in the
market that awaits.
I know similar ideas have been put forward in the past (not by me, though). Many high
school sports have succeededtable tennis should too. Action is all we need. Here are ideas for
implementation: (1) Ask club members to check out their countys potential for table tennis
interested school officials, teachers, students, sports budgetand present this information to the
USTTA. (2) Write official letters to county superintendents explaining the benefits of an injury-free
inter-school sport. (3) Set up exhibitions at prospective schools by top club players. (4) Contact t.t.
companies to arrange for reduced prices on equipment. (5) Get that league going.
Complementary ideas: 50% USTTA membership discount to all high-school students, and
50% membership discount for a high school student to belong to an affiliated USTTA club; find at
least that one teacher in a high school who has a real interest in table tennis and would love to be a
designated coach, then work with school authorities to get him appointed and a decent place in the
school to play; have the coach disseminate video-taped rules, a good showing of correct strokes,
and tapes of strong players in action-filled matches. If leagues can be formed in high schools, and I
feel sure they canbecause Keynes said, Competition makes a marketuniversity leagues would
surely follow.
Forget the thought of spending $200 a month on 2250 players at Lake Placid when our
main concern is making it big. Most of those players youll agree dont add much to the sport.Or
pay them the $200 a month but make them do exhibitions (they can all smash and lob quite well).
Tim, I have much at
stake. But you have more
cause you are the Prez,
Numero Uno, the man who
calls the shots. If this school
involvement seems like a
remedial task, give it to some
intern and let him go at it. We
do have interns, dont we?
(All my college friends talk
about is, Where can I be an
intern this summer?) Get
National Mens Champion Sean ONeill
Colorado Springs to help.
Photo by Danny Kerner
Our participation at
the Olympic Games wont be the hit we need. Ill try to win a Gold for the U.S., but the Chinese
are still a few steps ahead of me. Their pips-out smashes give me headaches. Do you think we
could hit some at the U.S. Open? The practice against your pips would do me good.
Well, now that you have listened to some of my concerns and ideas, I wonder if I sound to
you like my dad, Youve got to know where you are going or you wont know when youve
arrived. He gave out those worksheets to his fellow E.C. members that they more or less ignored
because he wanted to make them think.
Like I mentioned before, I will always help in any way I canmy future depends on it.

435

Chapter Twenty-Nine
1986: Sue Butlers Interview with Stellan Bengtsson. 1986:
China Scores at U.S. Open.

Sue Butler

The 1971
Swedish World
Champion, Stellan
Bengtsson, served as a
commentator for the
Stellan and Angie Rosal Bengtsson
Stellan as expert ESPN analyst
one-hour ESPN show
Photo by Houshang Bozorgzadeh
at the U.S. Open
on the June U.S. Open
that aired three times in July. Sue Butlers interview with Stellan that follows (TTT, July-Aug., 1986,
30-31) comes from her talks with him both at the 85 Worlds and this years U.S. Open:
SUE: Is it possible to make table tennis a major spectator sport in the world?
STELLAN: Yes, I think so, but we have to sell it differently than we do right now. Table
tennis is suffering from elephant sickness. If a spectator comes to the World Championshipswith
19 tables going and people cheering everywherethey really dont know where to look.
SUE: Is table tennis going to remain an amateur sport in most peoples eyes?
STELLAN: I believe we could increase participation if young people feel they can make
more money in the sport.
SUE: What will the Olympics mean?
STELLAN: In the third world, where more economic support will come because of the
Olympics, we will probably see more participation. Well have to wait and see what happens. Its
hard to speculate.
SUE: What are the trends in table tennis? Is it more popular in Sweden?
STELLAN: We had a peak in 73 and 74, and then it went down. However, I think it is
going in the right direction again.
SUE: What contributions should the U.S. make to table tennis?
STELLAN: One thing I always think of when referring to the U.S. is to try and get table
tennis into the universities, and of course public schools. It is a difficult task, but if it happened it
would make the sport more popular. The rest of the world is waiting for America to become a little
bit stronger. One reason is that the economy in the U.S. is very strong and gives a chance for the
manufacturers to sell more and also for the players to make some more money in the sport.
SUE: If you were in charge of U.S. table tennis development, what would you do?
STELLAN: I would start with education of the coaches and promoters, because what you
436

do in the training camps is only a minor part of the training. In developing world-class players, the
best coaches have to be put with the beginners so that the correct technique is learned. Once
players have been playing for several years it is very difficult to correct bad habits.
SUE: How important is it for the U.S. team to be composed of U.S. citizens?
STELLAN: I think it is too bad that it isnt, especially for the younger players, who get
discouraged when foreign players come in and take their place. Also, I believe the American people
need their own to identify with.
SUE: What will it take to equalize the Chinese superiority?
STELLAN: We need more people playing. We have some individuals who possess great
skills and good mental condition, and can compete and beat some of our best Chinese, but right
now no country can beat them, especially in the team event. [The Canadian player, Andrew Giblon,
would give Topics the following quote that appeared in Sports Illustrated (July 28, 1986): When,
after China had lost a World Basketball game to the U.S. (theyd attempted 32 three-point shots),
the Chinese coach was asked how long it would take his country to match the U.S. in basketball.
His reply: As long as it takes the U.S. to match China in ping-pong.]
SUE:
You were the
youngest
player ever
to become
World
Champion.
Has the
pressure of
people
expecting
you to win
again been hard on you?
STELLAN: I dont think the pressure is from other people.
The pressure I feel is that which I place on myself. The World
Championships was the first senior title I ever won after leaving the
junior ranks. It was also the first international title I had ever won,
and is a hard act to follow. Only one player every two years can be
World Champion, so you have to be grateful to win it at any time.
SUE: How much does winning the World Championship depend on luck?
STELLAN: Its hard to say. One thing is for sure: a player cant be unlucky and win a world title.
SUE: How much has the skill level changed since you won the World Championship?
STELLAN: If I were playing at a top world level right now, I would beat my 1971 self
under 10. The shots that are made today were considered impossible four years ago.
SUE: How much further can the skill level go? How much faster can players be? How much
harder can we hit? Can we reach the end?
STELLAN: All sports keep improving, so why shouldnt table tennis? I can see no limit right
now.
SUE: Do you feel the Chinese are detrimental to the sport because they are so good?
STELLAN: In the case of attracting spectators, it is not so good. The Chinese have made
table tennis a science and it is absolutely no coincidence that they are as good as they are. They
437

have all the economic resources in the world to make sure they have all the advantages they need.
For example, when the tables for the 1985 Worlds were produced at the beginning of last year,
they flew four of them to China to practice at a cost of $10,000. This was done two days after they
were made. This is just a minor example of what we are competing against. For two years the
Chinese prepare only for this tournament. In Europe and other countries, players have to make a
living. We can have a chance if we put all of our resources together. It also has to do with the social
system in that country, you know.
SUE: What is the future for Stellan Bengtsson?
STELLAN: As long as I have fun and can give the young boys a match, Ill keep playing.
SUE: Will you be like Surbek? Are you going to play until youre 39?
STELLAN: Not until 39, but maybe 38 .
SUE: Would you like to coach?
STELLAN: Yes. I have been traveling all over the world with the Swedish team since 1968,
so I wouldnt like to be a traveling coach. But to live in one place and do special coaching camps,
that Im really interested in because Id like to believe that Ive learned a great deal during these
years that Ive played. I feel that, if I can, it is my duty to put something into the game by helping
other players. [I, Tim, was told, though not by Stellan, that hed like a coaching job in the U.S. Right
now (1986), though, theres some uncertainty in Swedish table tennis circles, for Hasse Kron, the
National Team Coach, has gone back to teaching school, and the position has to be filled.]
SUE: Now that you have twin
sons, do you think that maybe the
1999 Mens Doubles Champions are
in your house?
STELLAN: Well, maybe, but
Im not going to push them to play
table tennis. If they want to play I will
help them, but they have to choose by
themselves.
SUE: Looking at table tennis
philosophically, do you ever look out
and see players hitting that little white
ball back and forth, and wonder what
it all has to do with life.
STELLAN: Of course I have had such thoughts when Im hitting the little ball. But what
would I have done if I hadnt played? Would I be in an office typing? If you look at it all, life is
ridiculous. To have a sport as a profession and do what you like the most is a really beautiful and
fortunate thing. Im really glad Ive had the chance to do that.
Scott Bakke (TTT, July-Aug., 1986, 21-23) reports on the U.S. Closed, held June 11-15
at the Miami Beach Convention Center:
O.K., so Eric didnt win Mens Singles, Insook couldnt beat the other world-class
women, the U.S. Teams were outclassed by the Orientals, Timmy Boggan and the ultra-charismatic
top Swedes were absent from this years tourney, and the Chinese once again walked away with
every championship title except Mens Doubles.
What can be said about the 1986 U.S. Open? Well, if you werent at the $20,500 event in
Miami June 11-15, and you didnt capture the highlights on ESPN during July, or if you havent
438

since been enlightened by those in the

know, then this end-of-the-summer U.S.
Open recap is just for you.
With entry blanks sent out late in
the Spring and foreigners representing
almost half of the entrants [no, a third of
the entrants], this years total turnout
managed a disappointing 551 players
still a slight increase, however, over the
527 in 1985.
Hats off once again to organizers
Dennis Masters, Jay Harris, Bard
Brenner, Dan and Patti Simon, and their
many diligent control and tournament desk
helpersShonie Aki, Lori Berenson,
Emily Cale, Wendell Dillon, Mel Eisner,
Dick and Sue Evans, Andy Gad, Rich
Livingston, Beverly Thiem, Catherine
Haring, Tom Miller, and Karen Tompson,
among othersfor an Open job well
done. Although some of the Draws were
unfinished and certain last-minute details
incomplete at the start of the action, the
whole tournament nevertheless was welltimed and efficiently run.
None of the U.S. men fared very
well in Mens Singles
as U.S. Champion
Sean ONeill and
North American titlist
Eric Boggan (now
World #31) both lost in
the 8ths to the sleeper
surprises of the
tournament. After
defeating Switzerlands
Thomas Busin in the
16ths, Boggan
Eric Boggan
Photo by Mal Anderson
dropped straight games
to Hsu Lung-Chan.
Hsu, ranked 2621 in the U.S. from his results at last
Thomas Busin
years U.S. Open, was only the 4th-ranked member of the
Chinese Taipei team and wasnt expected to advance beyond the second or third round. However,
his win over Eric wasnt a major shock as he had previously upset Japans #1 and fourth seed
Kiyoshi Saito in the Mens Team event. Then, following his Singles victory over Eric, he proceeded
to take down Brazils Claudio Kano in the quarters, 20, 20, 16.
439

In the semis, Hsu finally fell to Hungarys Zsolt Kriston whod ended Sean ONeills climb
in the Mens two rounds earlier (Sean had had a gutsy 20, -21, 19, 20 win over Chinese Taipeis
Chih Chin-long). Kriston is considered by many to be the countrys new strong man, but before he
played Sean hed had to struggle with Canadas Horatio Pintea.
Hory, in fact,
had embarrassed World
#35 Kriston in straight
games the previous day
when the Canadians
whitewashed Hungary
3-0 in the Mens Team
event. In their Mens
Singles rematch, though,
Zsolt took control from
the outset to handily win
Sean ONeill
the first two games
before getting thumped in the third. However, Pintea cooled off in
the fourth and the Hungarian won the match at 15. Kriston was also
pressed to four games in his match with ONeill after Sean won the
Hungarys Zsolt Kriston
second, 23-21. But then Zsolt went on to roll over World #7 Lo
Chuen Tsung of Hong Kong in straight games in the quarters.
There were two other unexpected strong showings in the Mens Draw. One was by
Chinas World #59, Chen Zhibin, whod advanced to the semis of the Mens and played a key role
in Chinas Team event victories. The other was by Nigerias Atanda Musa whod breezed through
the Team event undefeated, and suffered his only singles loss in the Mens quarters to top seed
Teng Yi of China, the eventual winner. Musa had been 15, -17, 21, 13 tested by Chartchai
(Hank) Teekaveerakit in the 16ths, but otherwise proved hes still the best of the looping Africans;
also in the 16ths, Musas teammate Yomi Bankole went down, -22, 17, -19, -19just couldnt win
the close games against Brazils Kano. Bulgarias Stefan Stefanov, whod had a great -21, -21, 19,
16, 18 comeback win over Chinas Fan Chang Mao, could sympathize with Bankole because he
too couldnt win the close ones against Kanofell hard, -22, 15, -21, -22.
Other U.S. players
who made it to the 16ths
were Ricky Seemiller whod
dropped a wild, four-game,
-25, -11, 25, -21 match to
Indias Sanjay Ghorpade;
and Quang Bui who lost in
straight games to Hungarys
Tibor Klampar.
Danny took it on the
chin when he lost his first
Indias Sanjay Ghorpade
round match to Chinese
Taipeis Lin Wei-Chung. Danny rarely plays up to his
full potential at the Open, for he normally takes time
out of his busy schedule once a year to vacation for a
Ricky Seemiller
440

Danny Seemiller
Photo by Neal Fox

few weeks in the Spring. Thats my

break, he once said, and consequently
Im never as sharp or on top of my game as
I should be for the Open. But he did take a game from Fan Chang Mao in the Mens Team semis,
and he and Ricky did reach the quarters of the Mens Doubles before losing to Teng Yi and Chen
Zhibin. These Chinese superstars did not win the Mens Doubles, however. They were beaten quite
easily in the semis by Japans Juzo Nukazuka/Kiyoshi Saito who went on to win the title over
Kriston/Klampar, 20, 18.
Klampar, of course, is now
Kiyoshi Saito
Juzo
the only player still active among
Nukazuka
Hungarys 1979 Swaythling Cup
Championship trio, as his former
teammates Gabor Gergely and
Istvan Jonyer have since retired.
Klampar has long been known for
his fiery temper and hot-headed
antics both on and off the court. But
at this years Open, Hungarys
head-case played with an opposite
devil-may-care attitude and, now
slightly overweight and out-ofshape, he looked, during his early
exit in the 8ths, like a lackadaisical hunchback. Maybe this Open was just an excuse for a vacation,
but perhaps at 37 hes mellowing, as many athletes do in the twilight of their world-class careers.
The Mens final between Kriston and Teng Yi highlighted a Saturday night card of singles
matches, and while Chinas World #5 predictably won in four games, the match did feature many
great exchanges and rallies.
Tengs loop has the trademark of placement, not power, and he used his consistency to
keep Kriston off balance during his first-game 21-17 victory. In the second, Kriston stayed up at
the table and scored down the line several times with his exceptional backhand loop and counterkill. This was the most exciting game of the match as, down by two or three points most of the way,
he came from behind at the end to win at deuce.
Zsolt was psyched after the gamescore became t.t., and he fought point for point with
Teng until midway through the third, when Teng just got tough and pulled away. The next game was
a laugher as, being forced away from the table once again, Kriston couldnt counter Tengs pressing
attack. At 6-20, a brief exhibition ensued and Kriston won four points by lobbing. Then at 20-10,
441

U.S. Open Mens Runner-up Zsolt Kriston

U.S. Open Mens Champion Teng Yi

the action ended and the 1986 U.S. Open Champion, Teng Yi, was draped with the Championship
medal and given his $2,000 check by premier sponsor, Abel Holtz, Capital Banks Chairman of the
Board.

U.S. Open Womens Runner-up Geng Lijuan

U.S. Open Womens Champion Xu Wan Hua

Photo by Mal Anderson

The Womens Singles final featured a see-saw five-game battle between two attackers.
Chinas Xu Wan Hua is a shakehands looper/hitter whod advanced through the Draw under the
shadow of her higher-ranked teammate, Womens World #1, Geng Lijuan. Geng, however, was 19, 15, 13, -16, -11 shockingly ousted in the quarters by South Korean penholder Baek Soon-Ae
who earlier was forced into the fifth by Chinese-Taipeis Ha Hyun-Joo. After Baek pulled out her
semis against Michiyo Yamada of Japan, winning still another close match (one she might have lost
in straight games), -12, 19, 21, 10, it seemed her spectacular tenacity would bury the virtually
unknown and also unranked Xu who, back in the eighths was fortunate to 21, -21, 19, 21 get by
Japans Sachiko Hasakawa. But although the final could have gone either way, Xu followed the
advice of her coaches to pull out a -18, 22, 6, -19, 15 win. Clearly the second game was the
needed key that opened the door to the Championship for Xu.
Japan, who in past years, led by the now retired Kayoko Kawahigashi, had been a
powerhouse at our U.S. Open, is currently in a rebuilding process. As you can see above, their
players, Hasakawa and Yamada, acquitted themselves well, as did their chopper Noriko Fukuda.
Before losing to the strong Bulgarian player, Daniela Guergueltcheva, World #18, in the quarters,
Fukuda stopped our Insook in an expedited straight-game match.
442

Insook couldnt keep her

returns consistently low and
lacked the confidence to pickhit often enough. She was
noticeably disappointed with
her game, but did feel that if
she had been more in
practice she could have given
the Japanese girl a better
match, at least won that
second game she lost at 19.
None of the other familiar
womens names in U.S. table
Insook Bhushan
Julie Au
tennis advanced past the first
round, except for our 1984
National Champion Julie Au, who scored 21 three straight times against World #1 Geng, but
frustratingly couldnt win a game.
Not surprisingly, since China had blitzed South Korea in the Womens Team final, Geng/Xu
won the Womens Doubles over Japans Hasakawa/Yamada two straight. But matches in the Mixed
were hard fought. In the final, it was Xu again, paired with compatriot Fan Chang Mao, but this time
China had to really work for the titlewhich they won in two increasingly tense matches: in the
semis from Bulgarias Daniela Guergueltcheva/Mariano Loukov, -20, 19, 20, and in the final from
Chinese Taipeis Lin Wei-Chung/Chang Hsiu-Yu, 11, -16, 20. Earlier, the Bulgarians stopped
Bhushan/Danny Seemiller, but our U.S. pair forced them into the deciding third.
In the Mens Team event, Danny, despite his nightmarish 8th-place finish at last Decembers
Nationals, was bumped up to USA I with Eric and Sean for TV purposes. Somewhere along the
line, it was decided that his name, rep, and classy personality would provide the extra color
intended for ESPN.
Jimmy Butler, runner-up at the Nationals to ONeill, was deported to USA II (a four-man
squad with Brandon Olson, Ricky and Randy Seemiller), while Quang Bui, 3rd-place finisher in Las
Vegas, was teamed with Scott Boggan and Brian Masters. Their team advanced further than USA
II, losing in the eighths to Hong Kong, 3-0.
Controversy set in on the second squad when Jimmy was told the day before by Team
Coach Christian Lillieroos that he wouldnt be playing in the first tie, period. O.K. Brandon, instead
of Jimmy, in the Singles, butwhats this?Ricky and Randy in the doubles (how often do they
play doubles together?). It was of course a royal bummer for Jimmy, and a 3-1 first-round loss for
USA to West Germany.
[How could this have happened to Jimmy? Well, start with Bylaw 4.5.1: Selection of
players for any International Team will be based on International Team Squad (ITS) order, except in
extraordinary cases of illness or injury, in which case the Selection Committee may select one
member of each team.
The questionable interpretation of that bylaw allowed for a departure from any selection
method before in that: the 1st-place finisher in Vegas, Sean, became #1 on USA I; the 2nd-place
ITS finisher, Jimmy, became #1 on USA II; the 3rd-place finisher, Quang, became #1 on USA III.
Other team members placed at will [?] as they are under the order already established order. Thus:
USA I: Sean (#1), Eric (#4), Danny (#8). Then USA II: Jimmy (#2), Brandon (#6), Ricky (#7),
443

Randy (#9). Then Quang (#3), Scott (#5), Brian (#10). Lillieroos as Captain/Coach of his USA II
Team could select whatever players he wanted. You can bet that, after the USTTA had set aside
$1,500 for the year to help young Butler play against good players, the E.C. at their post-U.S.
Open Meeting had a lengthy discussion about Jimmys situation.]
As most of you probably saw on
ESPN, Eric, Danny, and Sean defeated the
Canadians 3-1, then gave their great
unrehearsed post-match interviews.
[Now before Scott signs off, Im
going to give you the results of the other U.S.
Open titleholders:
Here are the
Age Group
winners: Over 70
Men: Final: Jim
Verta d. Laszlo
Danny speaks to ESPN as Eric Boggan and
Bellak. Over 60
Sean ONeill look on.
Photo by Robert Compton
Men: Final: Harry
Deschamps d.
Max
Salisbury, 15,
9. Over 50
Men: Final:
Jim Verta, 97 (2013)
Festus Mead
Photo courtesy of
d. Leon
Yvonne Kronlage
Ruderman,
n.s. Over 50 Doubles: Final: Dick Evans/
Rich Livingston d. Marv Leff/Marty Prager,
21, -16, 20. Over 40 Men: Final: George
Brathwaite d. Wang Shan Wu, 8, -17, 11.
Over 40 Doubles: Brathwaite/Bard Brenner Dick Evans and Rich Livingstan, Over 50 Doubles Winners
d. Houshang Bozorgzadeh/D.J. Lee, n.s.,
then El Salvadors Wu/Eduardo Rivera, -17, 19, 15. Over 30 Men: Final: Rey Domingo d. Lim-Ming
Chui, 11, 14, after
Ming had survived
Chartchai Hank
Wu, 21, 19. Over 40
Teekaveerakit
Photo by Hans Jazyle Women (women have
only this age group):
Final:Yvonne
Kronlage d. Margaret
Hzeih, 17, -7, 21, 18.
21 & U: Final:
Chartchai Hank
Teekaveerakit d.
Brazils Claudio
Kano, 19, -19, 14.
Brazils Claudio Kano
444

Jim Butler

Boys 17 & U: Final: Thailands Vichai Limpisrivanich,

whod won the most recent South East Asian Games in
Bangkok, d. Brazils Carlos Kawai, -13, 16, 18, after
Carlos had escaped Jimmy Butler, deuce in the 3rd. Boys
17 & U Doubles: Brazils Hugo Hoyama/Kawai d.
Alfredo Flores/Mario Gonzales, 9, 19, after the Peruvians
had eliminated J. Butler/Swedens Fredrick Persson, 18 in
the 3rd. Boys 15 & U: Final: J. Butler 19, 16 d. Persson
whod advanced over Dhiren Narotam, 12, -18, 18. Boys
15 & U Doubles: Final: J. Butler/Narotam d. Chi-Ming/
Chi-Sun Chui, 9, 12. Girls 17 & U: Final: Diana Gee 19,
19 d. Brazils Monica Dotti, after Monica had downed

From Tennistavolo

Lan Vuong, n.s. Girls 17 & U Doubles:

Final: Diana/Lisa Gee d. Vuong/Vicky
Wong, 22, 17. Girls 15 & U: Final: Perus
Claudia Martinez d. Dominican Republics
Alba Rosa Acosta, 1 [sic], 19. 13 & U:
C-S Chui d. Swedens Mattias Isaksson,
Gee Sisters
-14, 9, 9. 13 & U Doubles: Final: Eric
Owens/Karl Schulz
d. Alyssa Rheingold/
Tomiko Ly, 18, 9.
11 & U: Final:
Owens d. Randy
Cohen, 10, 13.
Special
Events: Hard
Rubber Singles:
Randy Cohen
Final: Bozorgzadeh
Photo by
15, 11 d. Ron Lilly
Mal Anderson
whod eliminated LM Chui, 18, -18,
Eric Owens
18. Wheelchair Singles: R.R.: 1.
Mike Dempsey, 3-0. 2. Terese Terranova, 2-1. 3. John Ebert, 1-2. 4.
Douglas Valldejuli, 0-3. Foreign Singles: Final: Edwin Soletto d. Brazils
Ademir Monteiro Da Silva, 18, 17.
Rated Singles: U-2500: Final: Ricky Seemiller d. Brandon Olson,
18, 18. U-2350: Final: Francisco Mendez d. Eyal Adini, 19, -21, 11. U2200 Final: Narotam d. James Therriault, 16, -19, 19. U-2100: Final:
David Chun d. Kenneth LaFrance, 16, 12. U-4100 Doubles: Final: John
Andrade/Bob Holland d. Edwin Oliver/Roman Teller, -15, 15, 9. U2000: Final: Kok Liang Liung d. Michael Henry, n.s. U-1900: Final:
Ardith Lonnon 18, 18 d. Steve Emmons whod survived Al Herr, -19,
Ardith Lonnon
445

Rene Tywang

Judith Ackerman

Terri Weaver

17, 19. U-1800: Final: Rene Tywang d. Stuart Sinder, 18, Oscar Melvin
Steve Hopkins
18, 18, then Angel Morales, 15, 19. U-1700: Final: Peter
Samms d. Christopher Winters, 20, -19, 19. U-1600: Final: Judith Ackerman d. Robert Brown, 17,
12. U-3100 Doubles: Final: Winston Lai/Jeffrey Kellett d. Jack Rudibaugh/Andy Gad, -14, 19, 19,
then Jose Trinidad/Chedy Munroe, 8, -18, 18. U-1500: Final: Steve Hopkins d. Alfredo Morales, 17, 17, 24, then Rick Klabansky, -20, 16, 18. U-1400: Final: Trinidad d. Gary Ehrhardt, 18, 11.
U-1300: Final: Howard King d. Fred Cowan III, 20, 15. Semis: Cowan d. Oscar Melvin, 16, 23;
King d. Pepe Cuen, 17, -18, 17. U-1150: Final: Scott Brooks d. Terri Weaver, 13, 21, 17 [sic]. U1000: Final: Brooks d. Rodney Reece, -13, 19, 16.]
Well, thats enough already. The only way to know it all is to see it all. So, whether youre a
player, a spec, an ump, or an organ, plan to BE THERE next year, because we cant fit it all in here.
One more time, a special thank you goes to the tournament staff and directors who made
this Open possible, to Capital Bank and the other chief sponsors, to the loyal and dedicated
International Umpire crew, the Eden Roc Hotel, and last but not least the USTTA photographers
who did their usual conscientious job here.
Thats all for the 86 Open, folks. If this article were any longer, you might think it was
written by Timmy Boggan. But then, seriously, how could even Timmy write about something he
didnt attend?
We can get by without the ultra charismatic top Swedes, but we cant live without any more
tournament stories by Tim. Heres sayin we all miss ya Sweetheart, and I wish you would have
written this story instead of me.
[Scott feels he owes his Editorship to me; feels guilty about not getting his Mar.-Apr. issue
out on time, thinks it might have affected the E.C. Election results; and is a mite effusive in saying
goodbye to me. However, as for his line, we all miss ya, I think notas my next and last chapter
will illustrate.]

446

Chapter Thirty
1986: Prologue to the E.C. Elections. 1986: The Election Campaign Statements.
1986. The Election Results. 1986: An Election Postscript.
Wed seenvia John Garnett: Bottom line is vote Tim Boggan out of office (Chapter 22)
and Charlie Disney: [Boggan and his E.C.s] excessive spending frightens me and is very dangerous
for the future of the USTTA (Chapter 25)considerable dissatisfaction expressed with regard to
President Boggans approach to the USTTA Presidency.
Tim did have his defenders of course, considerably more, he always thought
prior to the 1986 E.C. Presidential Election in which he was running again against
Sol Schiff, than his attackers. Here, for example (TTT, Mar.-Apr., 1986) is USTTA
Vice-President Mel Eisners Which Giant?:
Once again two giants of table tennis are confronting each other in the
election. Both men, Sol Schiff and Tim Boggan, have given more to table tennis that
perhaps any of us have a right to expect.
During the last two years, Tim has started and is planning a variety of new
programs in a prodigious effort to move the sport. Some may say that these
programs are too expensive, and that we are not using our new-found money
Mel Eisner
wisely. But the only way to be perfectly safe is to do and attempt nothing. In many
instances the basis has been put in place for future returns, and final assessments are still to be
made.
Sol served for eight years as PresidentTim has been in office for only two. Let Tim have
his full chance. Vote for Tim Boggan for President.
However, as winter was moving to its conclusion, an all-out anti-Boggan broadside hit the
membership. Written by Norm Silver, Sec.-Treas. of the Colorado Springs TTC, and edited, at
least in part, by Bob Tretheway, it said:
Dear USTTA Member,
Like yourself Im a member of the USTTA. I have been involved with
the sport for the past 35 years as a player and officerand as a sideline
observer of the politics. What Ive observed the past two years has brought me
off the sidelines. Ive observed Tim Boggan as president and Im sick about what
hes done to the USTTA.
Boggans excesses and extravagancies have nearly ruined the USTTA
financially. Boggan has wasted our money, our resources, and our time. He has
severely damaged the reputation of the USTTA. Just take a look:

Norm Silver

1. Singlehandedly Boggan brought the Chinese team to the 85 Open. Cost? $20,000.
What did the USTTA get in return? National TV or radio? No. National magazine
coverage? No. National newspaper coverage? No. The tournament didnt even get
good regional coverage. The Southern California TT Association made $5.000 off the
Chinese teamtheyre business men. Boggan lost, we lost.
2. A tournament program for the 85 Open was to have cost about $3,000 or so. Under
Tim Boggans management it ended up costing nearly $9,000. Waste.
447

3. What did $8,000

to Christian
Lillieroos
produce? This pet
project of
Boggans
produced,
according to E.C.
Minutes, 12 new
juniors and 5
assistant coaches
in six months in
only one club.
Also, did Boggan
(the USTTA)
violate Federal
law by paying an
Chinas World Champion Jiang Jialiang
alien without the
proper visa?
4. Boggan pushed for the $6,000 to be given to Jeff Mason to write a book on how to
start and run a commercial club. How many commercial clubs are there now? Maybe
three. My guess is there wont be too many more than that this time next year and
probably no one will buy Masons book.
5. Boggan browbeat Tom Wintrich into leaving the USTTA and the editing of the national
publication. He refused to give Tom (journalism degree and two years of experience) a
$2,500 raise. But he thought it the right thing to do in hiring an eighteen year old with no
experience to be the editor. Sound judgement. Last I heard, the new magazine, which is
now a month late, is going to cost over $5,000 for one issue. An issue of SPIN was
costing about $2,200. The waste on one issue of the new Topics is more than the raise
Tom was asking for.
6. Boggans favorite project, the Lake Placid Training Program, is costing twice that of the
Colorado Springs Training Program. Did you know the USTTA was paying players to
practice in Lake Placid? I dont know how much the players are getting, but the E.C.
minutes say the program is costing $4,000 a month.
Boggans insistence that the U.S. Nationals have
image cost everyone attending, except him of course because
his way was paid by the USTTA, thousands of extra dollars.
The Showboat had offered us rooms for $17.00 and a free,
with drinks, party. Tim wanted Caesars$40 rooms and the
USTTA paid for the party.
All of this, and more waste and bad management, has been done in the name of
image-image-image. The image Boggan has created is that of a spendthrift organization that
cant pay its bills on time and has flirted with bankruptcy for the past year. This year alone
Boggan has spent the USTTA into a budget-deficit of over $100,000. Boy, am I proud to be a
member of the USTTA!
448

Can the USTTA afford another two years of Boggan? It can hardly afford another two days
of him. When you have the opportunity to vote please vote for fiscal responsibilityand against
Boggan.
Boggan has said hes wary of plans and outlines. Lack of planning is what has caused the
enormous waste of the USTTAs money. Lack of planning is the reason that Tims projects have
failed: Chinese team, Lillieroos, 85 tournament program, Lake Placid Training Program, new
national publication Topics, the 85 Nationals (where was the image publicity?).
All successful businesses operate on a multi-year plan. Isnt it about time the USTTA
decides that it is a business? Where is the year-in-advance plan for the USTTA?
The fact is that since Tim Boggan has been president the USTTA hasnt even had a budget!!
I had hoped that at this time I could ask you to vote for an
experienced table tennis promoter and successful businessman,
Charlie Disney. You see, Charlie believes in grass-roots
developmentas opposed to Tims top of the pyramid growth
theory. Charlie believes in coaching programsas opposed to Tims
Im not sure I believe in coaching attitude. Charlie believes in the
training of leaders and promoters, in budgets and in planning. He
would have been a good choice for president, but because he is in the
process of expanding his own commercial club and its activities he
has declined to run.
In voting we dont
Charlie Disney
have the choice to vote
for Charlie. I dont want Boggan, and Im not certain
Sol Schiff would be any better. I suggest this option:
Vote PROTEST for-president
Let Boggan and anyone else who runs for
president [know] that its time for the USTTA to
conduct itself in a business-like fashion. That the waste
must stop and that the program and projects must be for
Sol Schiff
Tim Boggan
us, the membership. Vote PROTEST.
It might also be nice to have a businessman on
the Executive Committee, and we can have oneJohn Garnett.
Who is John Garnett? Well, hes been in table tennis for as long as I
have. Hes started a couple of clubs, run tournaments and is currently
working with a junior table tennis club. Also, John is a vice-president of
Colorado Inter-state Gas, a major mid-west energy corporation. Garnett is
grassroots. Lets get him on the E.C. A good place to put him is against the
Rufford Harrison (hes been on the E.C. for 20+years now), Schwartzberg,
Butler group. Dont vote against Dell Sweeriswe need an accountant on
the Board.
I wish I could do more, maybe someday I can, but for right now I
urge you to vote for fiscal responsibility, for planning, for grassroots
development, for coaching programs, and against waste. Dont vote for
Boggan. Vote PROTEST for president and let the Executive Committee
know that its time for a change. Vote John Garnett to the E.C., along with
Dell Sweeris.
Dell Sweeris
449

I must say I was surprised and disgusted by the overriding thrust of this second anti-Boggan
Colorado Springs attack. However, I wasnt about to send a rebuttal that would go out to all fellow
membersId spend too much money. So I sent the following rejoinder to Silver, my E.C., a very
limited number of people I thought interested, and to all the USTTA clubs with a request to please
post. Heres how I responded:
Dear Norm:
I thought your Open letter to the membership was just shameful.
It was so mean-spirited. So petty. So ignorant.
Ive wasted your money, your resources, your future?
You lie.
Youre not concerned in that Open letter with the complications of truth, with the concern of
the common good, with constructive change, with any vision of the future.
You just pretend to be.
You want me out of office.
Why?
Because (1) I spend moneyspend as if, and, my god, Norm, this is so insulting, not only
to me but to my E.C., there were little or no return to the USTTA at all. This is just absurd.
Because (2) I Up Front say Im wary of plans and outlines
and, by extension, the day, week, month, year wait-wait-wait until I get
it just right on paper mind-set that often accompanies them.
Meanwhile, of course, its I who brought Adham Sharara and his
Quadrennial Planning Program to the USTTA and encouraged a
nation-wide response to his Questionnaires; I whove always
supported Bob Tretheway in any plans that he as National Program
Director wanted to pursue.
Your letter, Norm, is so obviously petty and stupid that it hardly
requires an answer. But, O.K., I offer fair-minded people everywhere
the following rebuttal.
Adham Sharara

(1) In the first of

your six-paragraph attacks on me, you dont
sayas anyone really concerned about our
money, our resources, our future would say
whether my beginning efforts to glamorize table
tennis via the U.S. Open were successful. You
say nothing about the follow-up 1986 U.S.
Open$65,000 in sponsorship, across-thecountry ESPN TV. Do you think, after the
success of last years Open, the significance of
having the World Champion Chinese and
coverage in the New York Times, that well have
ESPN TV crew preparing for shoot-out
more U.S. entries this year than last? More
foreign entries? More people watching? More media attention? Do such things matter to
450

you? To the membership? You pretend to concern yourself with historical truthbut
you really have no psychic involvement in it. Do you knowor carewhat impact the
coming of the Chinese made in Southern California? Youre not interested in any
meaningful discussion of what a glamorized U.S. Open, a televised U.S. Open, is
worthin 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988and on into that glowing future you pay lip
service to. No, you only want to be negativeto speak of that initial-year loss of
$18,000. Of the compensatory gain well make in this years Open and the Opens to
come, youve nothing to say. And why is that? Because the truth does not serve your
practical purposewhich is to oust me. You profess to look to the future, but in reality
you look backward, back to years of stagnation.
(2)

In one breath you favor Coaching programs, then, maliciously,

ignorantly, you attack Christian Lillierooswhose ability, whose
dedication puts your pettiness to shame. You, in effect, urge Christian
to see a lawyer about his alien immigration status, which even now as
I write hes done. It would seem there are legal ways, if push comes
to Christian shove, that he might be treated as a guest of the
Association while, with the credentials he has, hes been trying to get
the proper visa and weve been trying to reflect this struggle as best
we can in our books. But, as precise as you would seem to be about
Christians immigration status, Norm, about that fellow human being,
Christian
Christian himself, his table tennis school in Sweden, his possible
Lillieroos
contribution to the Sport here in the U.S., youre certainly very
imprecise, having made no attempt at all to concern yourself with his
work. It would seem youre interested in Coaching only in Colorado Springs.

(3) Do you really think Toms editing of SPIN merited another raise?
All over the country people were complaining about the paper. And to
imply Tom quit because he didnt get a $2,000 raise is, again, just not to
be concerned with truth. He had a much higher-paying job he wanted to
go to. Moreover, at the end of his editorship, Tom up front told me that
his heart just wasnt into doing the paper. True, Headquarters did lose a
valuable resourcebut I, the E.C. wanted an Editor. And, hooray, we
found one, a remarkable one. But you, Norm,
youre not happy. You say Scott Bakke has
virtually no publishing or writing experience.
Youve this bad habit, Norm, of saying things
in a definitive way when really you dont
know much about them. Scott is right now
Tom Wintrich
yes, at 19 (god, Norm, what a mind-set you
have; the petty arguments you use)a better editor than
Tom. And, again, you speak of money lostbut without
seeing even a single issue of the new Topics, without a
thought of what the new publications worth, and without
any consideration of the considerable difference between
what Tom, ever trying to increase his salary in any odd-job
Scott Bakke
451

way, was getting and what Scott is getting. You talk about good business, but
meanwhile you say the stupidest things without having ever seen the product anyone
really interested in our money, our resources, and our future would certainly want to
see before passing judgment.
(4)

Poor Jeff Mason. For four years

he puts his whole soul into operating
a commercial Table Tennis Cluba
real Cluband because, however
clumsily I and my E.C. try to help
him, you dont want us to. Jesus,
youre so enclosed, Norm, so
ungiving. At least allow me and the
E.C. credit for trying to give birth to
the principle that we wont just give
money to clubs without receiving
something from them in return.
(5) The Lake Placid
Jeff Mason
Photo by Mal Anderson
Resident Training
Program was not
one of my pet projectsbut I think, with modifications, it can be a
very good one. But, again, it seems like only Coaching at Colorado
Springs is worth anything to you. You know, Norm, maybe you should
take a few minutes, go over to Headquarters and have a talk, or maybe
a couple of talks, with Coaching Chairor rather former Coaching
ChairBob Tretheway. I mean, would he tell you, tell me, the same
thing that youre telling methat all the Coaching Authority, all the
control of the National Publicationshould be centered in Colorado
Springs?

Bob Tretheway

(6) Meanwhile, Norm, I resist being subjected to a mind-set like

yoursthat really isnt interested in truth, in how the USTTA has spent its money in
pursuing what values, that speaks of a budget-deficit when under the guise of service
to the membership you yourself have shown such a meanness of soul. Yes, hearing you
speak so gratuitously of my blunders, my fear, I really do object. Ive worked
extraordinarily hard these 20 months. And the effort Ive put in has not been in vain. I
have brought proud progress to our Association. And, despite your small-minded
objections, I will with all my heart continue to bring progress to the sport.
I had supporters out there of coursean early one was New Albany, Indianas Greg
Galbreath. Heres the letter he posted to me on Feb. 25:
Tim,
We recently received one of those easy-to-write letters from an Average player (at least
this guy is an average player, 1658). [The writers apparently referring to Norm Silvers letter
452

Silvers rated 1648.] He expressed his concern, or should I say Bitched, about your spending without a
plan. Among his complaints were: $18,000 to bring in the Chinese team; $8,000 to Christian Lillieroos;
$4,000 at Lake Placid each month; Seemiller and Li salaries. All of which [outlays] I applaud.
As for the first item, I went to the U.S. Open to watch the best in the world play (thank Eric
for an entertaining match against the World Champ) and the $18,000 spent made it possible. I have
no objections to paying the high entry fees for the two big tourneys, but travel and lodging expenses
are outrageous. It would be nice to see it [the U.S, Open] continue to travel around the country. As
for the coaches salaries, they are too low if anything. Some of the money from the 84 Games
should be used to build a respectable Team in 88.
Our slanted-roof club,
Hock Hall
Hock Hall (New Albany,
Indiana), has been around a long
time (50 years) and [we] have not
had a tourney for a long time. That
is, until your one-tournament-peryear rule. Thanks. Now that we
know how easy it is, we will do it
more often.
We all know that no one is
Perfect. But as long as you
continue to work for the Sport of
table tennis with the passion you
show you will have the support of
most average players and the top
players as well. Come election time Im sure you will see how much the true average players
appreciate your support and devotion. I know I do.
An Apr. 4th Letter to Silver from Craig Martin representing the Southern California
TTA is relevant:
Mr. Silver:
We object to the wording used in your Letter [to the general membership] that
tends to give the impression that our organization profited [at the expense of the U.S.T.T.A.] from
the Chinese Teams participation [at our June, 1986 Alhambra tournament]. For your reference:
Expenses for the two teams were approximately $7,800. Receipts for ticket sales
approximately $5,600. That left a deficit of approximately $2,200. Fortunately, we were able to
obtain several contributions that offset this deficit. Our actual profit for this tournament was
approximately $18. As you can see, this is a far cry from the $5,000 you quote in your Letter.
Our organization demands that you take immediate steps to clarify the above to ALL the
members to whom you sent similar letters. Failure on your part to take immediate corrective action
may result in further, more severe action on our part. We will allow a reasonable time frame, 60
days, for this response. We expect, at the very least to see an apology published in Table Tennis
Topics. This would satisfy the members of our committee. If you feel that you do not wish to do this,
then an individual letter sent to each and every member of the U.S.T.T.A. that received your original
letter is necessary.
453

[I interpose here Silvers apology (Silver Says Sorry) that appeared in the Mar.-Apr.,
1986 issue of Topics:
In my letter distributed nationally last March, I was guilty of a misstatement of fact. The
Southern California TTA did not show a profit of $5,000 for the tournament that featured the
Chinese teams. Rather, ticket sales totaled in excess of that amount but tournament expenses, as
well as expenses for the Chinese teams, actually left the tournament and the SCTTA with a deficit.
[Nope. Another misstatementsee above.]
I apologize for any inconvenience caused. The only purpose of the letter was to wake up
the membership [a sleepwalk muttering of Schiffs Campaign Statements opening line] and let
everyone know that the USTTA is your organization and you should decide how much and what
kind of table tennis we will have in this country in the years ahead. [That abstraction is supposed to
be his motive?]
Additionally, we take exception to several other misleading/misinformed statements, but do
not expect you to respond to these personal opinions.
Your first statement also gives the impression that there will be no national television
coverage of the U.S. Open this year. This is not correct. If you had bothered to check your facts
you would have found out that ESPN has signed a contract to provide approximately one hour
coverage. This will mean a major expense for ESPN since they will probably invest over 100 hours
to produce this single one-hour segment.
[Calling your attention to] your number two paragraph: The money that was spent on the
Program was well worth it if it means greater participation on the part of independent sponsors, and
apparently it does. When was the last time you can remember over $30,000 sponsorship for the
U.S. Nationals?
Your number five paragraph mentions that Tim browbeat Tom Wintrich into leaving the
U.S.T.TA. We believe this change was long overdue. The publication had been on a downswing
ever since Tom took over. Everyone in this area who has seen the new Topics agrees that the new
editor, even though only an eighteen-year-old with no experience has given us a magazine that
finally provides useful and up-to-date information. Note the term useful. Why was the former
editor, with his journalism degree and two years experience, unable to provide this?

454

Additionally, it is obvious that you have no grasp of how difficult it is to transfer the
editorship of the publication, and provide a more useful format. This of course has led to cost
overruns and delays. We think the costs are more than justified, considering we now have a real
National publication.
Your statement that the Showboat should have been selected over Caesars Palace showed
a lack of knowledge about the two hotels. Obviously you have never stayed at the Showboat! Sure,
$40 is a lot to pay for a room, but when we go on vacation in Southern California we prefer
comfortable accommodations. We also think that you might also wish to check your facts about
who paid for the party at Caesars Palace!
Finally, your suggestion to Vote PROTEST really shows how little credibility one should
give to your Letter. This one statement alone was enough to cause most of our membership to put
your letter in the circular file. Anyone who advocates this type of attitude shows little concern for the
well-being of the United States Table Tennis Association.
Those of us who do care recommend that everyone vote for the candidate who they feel is
best qualified. We are recommending to our membership that they vote for Tim Boggan, and will
continue to do so until someone else comes along with better, more progressive ideas. Tim has
done, and will continue to do, an outstanding job.
On April 10th, I get a copy of a letter to Silver from Jeff Mason. He says:
I would like to comment on Point 4 of your Open Letter to USTTA Clubs and
Membership. If you are going to quote someone, you should do it within context. Taking my
statement out of context the way you did was deliberately misleading, and very unethical.
I most certainly did not say that I didnt think anyone would buy my club manual. What I
did say was that I didnt think anyone would buy it at the $200 price suggested by the E.C.! I went
on to say that I thought it was a very valuable book, and should be sold at a reasonable price.
You are certainly entitled to your opinions. However, before you made them public, you
should have double-checked your facts.
And on April 23, Dr. W.V. Plue of the University of Southern Mississippi and the
Hattiesburg TTC writes me:
As a committee of one, but with a discussion among our club members, I write you
to at least let you know that one small unit supports your stand and actions as USTTA
President. Organizations, such as ours, are uniquely open to critics. It is so easy to
rant, objectivity be voided, when someone decides he/she would make the USTTA better
according to their perception. The Colonel Bullmoose approach, Whats good for me is good for
the nation, is what Mr. Silver seems to advocate. In our area, at least, his letters were viewed as
junk mail.
We most definitely believe the Topics change was needed. Please keep up your good
work and do not let this incident keep you from doing what needs to be done.
I couldnt believe I could lose this election. Werent people aware of Schiffs deceptions by
this time? As for Silver, either he just doesnt care what he recklessly says, or he feels cynically that
its just politicshis kind of politicsnot mine. To have campaigned as did my opponents would
have cost too much, but not to have blanketed the membership might have cost me just as much?
Never mindfor sure, Ill do what needs to be done.
The rest of this chapter, this volume, will speak for itself.
455

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461

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married). A best-round (cant-improvethe-lie) 43-37. Gradually, somewhat

reluctantly it seemed to me, Id been
accepted (the years sole new member?)
by a local golf club. Midway we called
ourselvesthe 40 or so mostly Jewish
members and me, the fallen-away
Catholic outsider, all of us playing not
out of any expensive private club, but on
the various public courses at Long
Islands Bethpage State Park.
Yes, who could doubt that Sally, on
coming back from a weeks visit with her
family in South Carolina, looking
expectantly for me amid the Piedmont
crowd, had thought Id probably played
golf this sunny mid-November morning.
It certainly would have been right in
by Tim Boggan
character.
Seeing my wife coming through
His own account of life since the election, and the story behind his new look.
with the other passengers and about to
Sing no sad songs for mthats what Id make the turn that would bring her
I stood self-consciously near the
said then when the election results came directly toward me, I nervously took off
baggage counter as the passengers from
my glasses, turned my back to her, and
Piedmonts early afternoon flight began in and thats what I say now. People
coming into view. Then, suddenly, there critical of my appearance, my language, leaned against the aisle-adjacent
my lack of fiscal responsibility, my play- Greyhound transportation counter. I
she wasmy wife, Sallyin the near
heard the footsteps, saw her out of the
it-by-ear planning, my clumsy but
distance scanning the crowd.
corner of my eye begin to pass.
Of course after 27 years of married correct attempts to link table tennis
Hey, I called out. You gonna
with business-minded professionals could
life she knew meknew that just as it
walk right by me?
was my unfailing habit to meet her every all think what they wanted tofrom
She responded to the familiar voice,
now on I would be invisible to them. A
weekday afternoon shortly after five at
looked at me, then to my left, my right,
our Happy Hour Rhine Skellar bar, so hard-working failure, too much of a
and continuing her slow counterpaper-pusher, I may or may not have
this afternoon Id be here at La Guardia
clockwise movement circled round and
been. A scruffy President, perhaps, of a
responsibly waiting to pick her up.
scruffy sport, or what we used to like to began to walk away.
I was going to surprise her. By
I quickly followed, called out, Hey,
call the newest Olympic Sport. But I
chance, in my wifes absence, a friend
you gonna walk away from me again?
had given me a part of his wardrobe hed sure wasnt going to be a hanger-on
She stopped, turned, and looked
especially not to the over-60-years-ingotten tired ofa perfect fit for me
directly at me. Now there could be no
including the topcoat, suit, shirt and tie I the-Sport loser whod defeated me.
doubt where the voice, my voice, was
was now so uncharacteristically wearing. When the Split, the idea of which had
coming from. But still she was hesitant.
I dont know what possessed me, but the been in my subconscious a long time
What could she be thinking?
surprise couldnt be more surprisingfor coming, finally surfaced, I was ready to
I took my glasses out of my
face it, move on, maybe do some
Id totally shaved my rather full-beard,
writing, the kind Id talked of for years. pocket, put them slowly on, and,
and, after years, had gotten a haircut.
Besides, what was left for me or my enjoying the effect, swept out the palm
Certainly my wife had long
of my right hand, magician-like, as if to
sons in table tennis? What new
lamented that I seemed always to do
say, Behold!
things to the extreme. Doubtless she was experience? What worlds to conquer?
Sally still looked bewilderedwhich
Scott and Eric and I had done all we
right. Only now, after 20 years of
intense globe-trotting semi-professional could do to further what more and more surprised me. It wasnt at all the reaction
Id expected.
seemed in the U.S. and indeed the world
table tennis, Id been defeatedsome
I moved closer to her, waited
over a hopeless cause, a slowly dying
said that, frustrated, disgusted,
sport. No, follow my example, Scott and expectantly.
contemptuous even, Id defeated
A little smile began to form on her
Eric, there was no longer any future for
myselfby being too proud, by not
face. But also something else
any of us in table tennis.
actively campaigning morein my try
embarrassment.
So now Id found a new game to
for a fourth term as President of the
I moved closer, waited.
USTTA. Still, Id had more than modest take seriously. Though ambitious, and
She was receptivebut tentative,
success. In the winter of 85, after many however extreme I was, it was a game I
apologetic. Im sorry, she said. But I
didnt as yet and perhaps never would
years as player, editor, and official, Id
dont know who you are.
been inducted into the U.S. Table Tennis play nearly as well as the old one. How
Didnt know who I was! After 27
much Id golfed this summer. Was losing
Hall of Fameand many, perhaps all,
years!
the election that much of a trauma? I
non-extremists would consider that
Talk about an Identity Crisiswho
didnt seem to want to do anything but
accomplishment enough for a lifetime.
could have been more stunned than I?
play golf. It was as if I were a teenager
Now, though, table tennis was out
Affectionately, I embraced her, or
again in the 1940s. And yet what did I
of my life and I hoped out of my sons
rather half-embraced her. Sally, I said,
have to show for all my new-found
Scott and Eric, both of whom had been
this is going to make a marvelous stor
boyish play? A loss of 20-25 pounds (at
U.S. National Champions.
Tim! she shrieked in relief,
I had no regrets about leaving table a flattened-out 166 I was only two
tennis. I knew it would happen someday. pounds heavier than when Sally and I got delight, astonishment, its you!

FACING IT

464

465

How can any

serious player
not buy these
books?
-Larry Hodges,
USATT Hall of
Famer
Vol. I ............... 1928-39 .......... 375 pages ........... 215 photos
Vol. II ............. 1940-52 .......... 395 pages ........... 320 photos
Vol. III ............ 1953-62 .......... 450 pages ........... 400 photos
Vol. IV ............ 1963-70 .......... 460 pages ........... 700 photos
Vol. V* ........... 1971-72 .......... 282 pages ........... 400 photos
*Covers the Ping-Pong Diplomacy Years
Vol. VI ............ 1970-73 .......... 500 pages ........... 800 photos
Vol. VII .......... 1973-75 .......... 530 pages ........... 820 photos
Vol. VIII ......... 1975-77 .......... 512 pages ........... 836 photos
Vol. IX ............ 1977-79 .......... 503 pages ........... 810 photos
Vol. X ............. 1979-81 .......... 535 pages ........... 820 photos
Vol. XI ............ 1981-82 .......... 516 pages ........... 805 photos
Vol. XII .......... 1983 ............... 460 pages ........... 837 photos
Vol. XIII ......... 1984 ............... 448 pages ........... 916 photos
Vol. XIV ......... 1985-86 .......... 465 pages ........... 962 photos

To order copies of
History of U.S.
Table Tennis,
Volumes I through XIV,
send $40 per book to:
Tim Boggan
12 Lake Avenue
Merrick, NY 11566

www.TimBogganTableTennis.com

Sol returns as USTTA President

L-R: Coach Christian Lillieroos; Anderson College;
and its President Dr. Mark Hopkins

National Program Director

Bob Tretheway

Jeff Mason (back right) and students

Timmys Jekyll and Hyde before and after look:

at the 85 Worlds and at the 86 Holidays