It was a special day, Sunday 14th April 2013, in the town of Sittingbourne in the English county of Kent.The family meets to celebrate the 80th birthdays of two most notable sisters, Diane SCHÖLER and Rosalind CORNETT; the Rowe twins. Nowadays, Diane SCH, It was a special day, Sunday 14th April 2013, in the town of Sittingbourne in the English county of Kent.The family meets to celebrate the 80th birthdays of two most notable sisters, Diane SCHÖLER and Rosalind CORNETT; the Rowe twins. Nowadays, Diane SCHÖLER is the President of the Swaythling Club International, the organisation responsible for arranging the extremely well attended biennial World Veteran Championships.However, for the twins, born on Thursday 14th April 1933, it is by the maiden name that they became famous both within the sport of table tennis and beyond the discipline’s boundaries. Search through your Christmas presents for a sporting annual in the 1950s, usually the Eagle Annual and you would find a photo and reference to Diane and Rosalind Rowe; the most popular being accompanied by a greyhound dog, as together they leapt over a well position hurdle. The reason for their continual inclusion was that they were World champions. In 1951 on their debut in the World Championships in Vienna, they won the Women’s Doubles title beating Romania’s Angelica ROZEANU and Sari KOLOSVARY in the final; they regained the title in 1954 at the Wembley succeeding in an all British final. They overcame Ann HAYDON and Kathleen Best to secure the crown; later Ann HAYDON turned her attentions to tennis, as Ann Jones she won the Women’s Singles title at Wimbledon in 1969. Twice the gold medallists and three times the duo secured the silver medal in the Women’s Doubles event at a World Championships, the left handed Diane and right handed Rosalind proving an ideal pairing. In 1952 in Bombay they were beaten in the final by Japan’s Shizuki NARAHARA and Tomie NISHIMURA, one year later in Bucharest they were defeated by Hungary’s Gizi FARKAS and Romania’s Angelica ROZEANU; whilst in 1995 in Utrecht they suffered at the hands of Romania’s Ella ZELLER and Angelica ROZEANU. In fact Diane, finished as the Women’s Doubles runner up in a World Championships on no less than five occasions. In 1957 in Stockholm with Ann Haydon when beaten by Hungary’s Livia MOSSOCZY and Federal Germany’s Agnes SIMON and in 1963 in Prague with Mary SHANNON. The duo experienced defeat at the hands of Japan’s Kimiyo MATZUSAKI and Masako SEKI. Outstanding at table tennis, Rosalind later turned her attentions to golf. My first teaching post was at Slade Green Secondary School in south east London, the suburb bordered Kent. I started a table tennis club for the pupils at the school. One of English teachers was Mrs Smith; she explained to me that she played golf with a lady who once played table tennis. She explained her friend’s name was Rosalind CORNET and that she’d been a world champion. “I did not recognise the surname and treated with the remark of something like “pull the other leg it’s got bells on”. Mrs SMITH returned to school on Monday morning after a weekend’s golf; she explained she’d asked her friend about table tennis and that her maiden name was ROWE. “Have you heard of her?” The kindly English teacher asked? I must admit I was dumbfounded; I think I asked Mrs SMITH about ten times to confirm it was the one and only Rosalind ROWE, the sister of Diane”. Together they became sporting stars in England; everyone who liked sport had heard of the Rowe twins. They were superstars of their era, true ambassadors for table tennis.
13 World and Olympic champions from China at the WSA
For the third consecutive year after 2011 (before the World Championships in Rotterdam) and 2012 (before the World Team Championships in Dortmund) China’s table tennis national team comes for World Cup preparations to the Werner SCHLAGER Academy in , For the third consecutive year after 2011 (before the World Championships in Rotterdam) and 2012 (before the World Team Championships in Dortmund) China’s table tennis national team comes for World Cup preparations to the Werner SCHLAGER Academy in Schwechat. This time, the table tennis giants will prepare from 3 – 10 May for the World Championships in Paris-Bercy (13 – 20 May) where – from a Chinese perspective – it is important to ensure that the stain of a decade ago will not repeat, when Werner SCHLAGER, to the chagrin of the big favorites from Asia, in this very hall had clinched gold in men’s singles. Now the Chinese Federation has submitted the list of those players, coaches, masseurs, officials and delegates who will move into the World Cup camp in Schwechat. A Who’s Who of the World Table Tennis again says “Ni Hao” at the WSA. Quite apart from the fact that the two head coaches LIU Guoliang (men) and KONG Linghui (women) were World champions, Olympic champions and world number one in their playing days, the list of players (among the now active) includes no less than 13 World and Olympic champions: The list of 23 top stars: Men: ZHANG Jike, MA Long, XU Xin, WANG Hao, MA Lin, CHEN Qi, HAO Shuai, YAN An, FAN Zhendong, WANG Liqin, ZHOU Yu, FANG Bo, QIU Yike Women: LI Xiaoxia, LIU Shiwen, ZHU Yuling, DING Ning, WEN Jia, CHEN Meng, RAO Jingwen, WU Yang, GUO Yue, HU Limei With ZHANG Jike and DING Ning, the two defending champions 2011 come to Schwechat. Further this young star FANG Bo, who in January this year was to win the Austrian Open in Wels, and the former SVS Niederösterreich players MA Lin, WANG Hao and QIU Yike. In the general public even less well known are ZHENDONG and HU Limei. You will hear more from them soon. FAN Zhendong (16 years) prevailed at the China World Cup Trials against superstar WANG Hao and the new defensive ace HU Limei twice gave no chance to DING Ning at this very China-Trials.
Chartres will fight until the end
After first final leg of 2012/13 Men’s European Champions League, played last Friday at Chartres, seems that no one is disappointed. Russian Fakel Gazproma Orenburg, reigning MECL champion, won 3:1 (10:7), but everyone in the French champion are proud on , After first final leg of 2012/13 Men’s European Champions League, played last Friday at Chartres, seems that no one is disappointed. Russian Fakel Gazproma Orenburg, reigning MECL champion, won 3:1 (10:7), but everyone in the French champion are proud on theirselves. Club’s president Loic BREHU believes that his side will not be without any chance in returning game at Orenburg (April 26th, 12h20 CET). “We enjoed a beautiful event, with the best players. It has been a great evening of table tennis, nice atmosphere and unique entertainment. We will go to Russia with the aim to fight until the end. We showed that we could compete against them”. Fourth Chartres` player Damien ELOI says that he expected more from first final encounter, but however praised his team mates for good fight. “It is a bad start for sure, but as long as there is life, there is hope! We will do our best to create a great feat at Russia”. Host started excellent, as GAO Ning beat Vladimir SAMSONOV in four sets. Singaporean lost opening set, but in next three he had no any problem. Dima OVTCHAROV leveled against Par GERELL, while Alexey SMIRNOV has brought the lead to Orenburg, beating Robert GARDOS. Both matches had four sets each. Finally, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist decided the winner in five sets long clash with Singaporean who was unique unbeaten MECL player until that moment. It was, no doubt, the best fight of the night.
UMMC’s HOU saved the day
Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk failed to secure advantage before the second leg of the ETTU Cup final. At home soil they lost against UMMC Verkhnaya Pyshma by narrow margin. Polish side had a good chance to finish the match by 3:1 but in few points everything w, Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk failed to secure advantage before the second leg of the ETTU Cup final. At home soil they lost against UMMC Verkhnaya Pyshma by narrow margin. Polish side had a good chance to finish the match by 3:1 but in few points everything went against hosts club. Daniel GORAK beat Grigory VLASOV in express way, before Robert FLORAS suffered by the hands of HOU Yiagchao. UMMC leveled, but their joy have not last for long. In full distance duel Paweł FERTIKOWSKI beat European vice champion TAN RuiWu to give hosts advantage once again. Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk was so close to the victory when Daniel GÓRAK had 2:0 and 10:9 in third game against HOU Yiagchao. In first two sets HOU managed to score only 6 points, but he recovered to level and eventually win his duel. In decisive game Robert FLORAS overcame Grigory VLASOV. Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk – UMMC Ekaterinburg 2:3 Daniel GÓRAK – Grigory VLASOV 3:0 (12:10,11:4,13:11) Robert FLORAS – HOU Yiagchao 0:3 (4:11,8:11,3:11) Paweł FERTIKOWSKI – TAN RuiWu 3:2 (11:9,5:11,11:7,5:11,11:8) Daniel GÓRAK – HOU Yiagchao 2:3 (11:2, 11:4, 11:13, 9:11,1:11) Robert FLORAS – Grigory VLASOV 1:3 (11:13, 11:13, 11:9, 1:11)
Fenerbahce one step closer to WETC title
Turkish Fenerbahce is on the good way to secure the title second year in the row. Reigning champions overcame Polish KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg without major problems. The back bone of Turkish success was European champion Viktoria PAVLOVICH. She overcame JIA J, Turkish Fenerbahce is on the good way to secure the title second year in the row. Reigning champions overcame Polish KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg without major problems. The back bone of Turkish success was European champion Viktoria PAVLOVICH. She overcame JIA Jun and Renata STRBIKOVA. In the opening duel she showed no mercy, but the decisive match in today’s duel was very close. STRBIKOVA stretched Viktoria to full distance. However after three hours and 40 minutes the Turkish side recorded opening leg victory. HU Melek added important point against LI Qian, but Elizabeta SAMARA struggled against HAN Ying. SAMARA recovered after 2:0 in reverse, leveled with 12:10 and 11:9 in third and fourth game, but lost decisive set. “I lost my duel, but after five games, and that is also important for overall score. We played very good, the atmosphere was great. There were more then 400 people in the hall and the match was broadcasted by TV. Polish side also helped everything look perfect. They played very good today”, stated Elizabeta SAMARA. Fenerbahce – KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg 3:1 PAVLOVICH – JIAN Jun 3:1 (11:9, 11:7, 6:11, 11:3) HU Melek – LI Qian 3:1 (11:3, 1:6, 7:11, 11:8) SAMARA – HAN Ying 2:3 (1:11, 8:11, 12:10, 11:9, 8:11) PAVLOVICH – STRBIKOVA 3:2 (11:7, 10:12, 11:5, 8:11, 11:8)
ECL clubs in duel for ETTU Cup title
Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki beat Istres Tennis de Table in the semi final of the ETTU Cup. In the first leg they were starched to the full distance, whilst in second leg they needed one match less. “Again our hero was Daniel GÓRAK who won three out, Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki beat Istres Tennis de Table in the semi final of the ETTU Cup. In the first leg they were starched to the full distance, whilst in second leg they needed one match less. “Again our hero was Daniel GÓRAK who won three out of four games in semifinal, beating twice Christophe LEGOUT – Bogoria press manager Dawid SZAJNA explained – In second match he opened good against LEGOUT and gave big confidence to the team. The best performance so far in Dartom Bogoria this season had JIANG Tianyi who overcame CHEN Jian. We should have won 3:0 because in third game Robert FLORAS was up 2:0 and 10-5 against Antoine HACHARD. But it was GÓRAK’s evening who eventually gave us the final with the exclamation point by beating Chen 3:2″. In the final they will meet UMMC Ekaterinburg (live on Laola1.tv). “It’s our best achievement so far in short history of Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki, since club was moved to Grodzisk in 2006. It’s our next step on our way climb to the European top. Our goal is to win ETTU Cup, we dream about it.” They are aware how difficult match they will have, since they already played against teams of Russia. “We have never played against UMMC. We have played twice against other Russian teams – Orenburg and Vladivostok. In the final we want to play our best, lifetime games. We want to be ready for our opponents, keep fighting until the end of all games. We expect great table tennis at the highest European and world level with beautiful, long rallies. We hope GÓRAK’S and JIANG’S good shape will continue.” UMMC’s line up is very dangerous. “HOU Yingchao has great ETTU Cup record (7-1) and we know he is the leader of the team. TAN Rui Wu lost three games in semifinal against Olimpia-Unia Grudziadz but he is reigning European vice champion and he will know how to play such big match as final is. There are two good Russian players in UMMC who are hungry for the Cup and will give 100% in the final.” In the semis UMMC overcame Olimpia Unia Grudziadz. They had two very close matches. However HOU Yingchao was at the top of the game. he succeeded in all four matches that he had played. HOU beat Bartosz SUCH, HUANG Sheng Sheng in both legs. “VLASOV suffered defeat in first match and it was very difficult without his point.” Despite the fact they never played against Dartom Bogoria Grodzisk Mazowiecki before, they know their adversary from the individual duels. “It will be close match. Chances are on both sides. “
Rio 2016 site inspection: a huge success
With London 2012 now just a good memory, ITTF’s attention has turned to making Rio 2016 the best Olympic Table Tennis event in history. On 11-12 March 2013, the ITTF Deputy President Neil HARWOOD and the ITTF’s Olympic Expert Raul CALIN met wi, With London 2012 now just a good memory, ITTF’s attention has turned to making Rio 2016 the best Olympic Table Tennis event in history. On 11-12 March 2013, the ITTF Deputy President Neil HARWOOD and the ITTF’s Olympic Expert Raul CALIN met with Rio 2016 Head of Sport Competitions Rodrigo GARCIA and Sports Management Coordinator Renata SIMOES among other Rio 2016 staff. Following the site visit at Riocentro, where the Olympic Table Tennis event will be held, Mr HARWOOD stated: “I am extremely impressed by the efficiency and enthusiasm showed by the Rio 2016 staff, they have really learnt a lot from being observers at London 2012. They have the mentality that the athletes are the most important people of the Games, as without them, there would be no Olympic games. This is the attitude of the ITTF, so it was very refreshing to hear. The ITTF’s philosophy is that we want to make each Olympic Games Table Tennis event better than the last and with Brazilians love and passion for sport, we are very confident that this will be the case. The Table Tennis hall in Riocentro will be very similar to the ExCel at London 2012, as it is a very big, and open convention center which hall #3, dedicated for table tennis may hold up to 6,500 people, creating an electric atmosphere. We are very happy with the location of the center as it is within walking distance from the Olympic village, and very close the Olympic stadium, so the Olympic sprit will be very strong. To ensure that the Competition Manager Edimilson PINHEIRO is 100% up to speed with organizing Table Tennis events, the ITTF has coordinated with Rio 2016 for him to attend several key events in 2013; the 2013 ITTF Latin American Championships in San Salvador, El Salvador, the 2013 World Table Tennis Championships in Paris, France and also a specific Table Tennis Competition Manager seminar, in which our Olympic Games Expert, Raul CALIN is the lecturer.” These facts, together with the ITTF and San-Ei promising a revelatory table for the event, are great news for all the world’s table tennis fans looking forward to the 8th edition of Olympic Table Tennis.
GAO halted, Chartres in the dead of night
Fakel Gazproma Orenburg is very close to its second consecutive Men`s European Champions League title after 3:1 away victory against Chartres ASTT. The man of the match was 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Dimitrij OVTCHAROV who brought two points, giving a v, Fakel Gazproma Orenburg is very close to its second consecutive Men`s European Champions League title after 3:1 away victory against Chartres ASTT. The man of the match was 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Dimitrij OVTCHAROV who brought two points, giving a very first loss in 2012/13 to GAO Ning. Now, Orenburg expects returning leg (April 26th, 12h20) with 3-0 score against French champion, beating them twice 3:2 in 2011/12 semis. Vladimir SAMSONOV had a furious start against GAO in opening game, allowing Singaporean just three points in first set. But, host answered in superb style. The key moment was seen in the second set when host came from 5:8 to 11:8. These six consecutive points totally changed direction of the match and GAO had unexpectedly easy job in the rest of the clash. He beat twice 3:2 Byelorussian in last season`s semi final. Par GERELL showed last year that he has capacity to be very close to Dima OVTCHAROV, even beating him once, in returning game at Orenburg. He played good tonight too, starting by 5:1 to won without any pressure opening set. But, German has controlled the play in next two sets by good serve and super speed in long rallies. In last, fourth set Swede led 8:6 and 9:8, but it wasn`t enough. Alexey SMIRNOV saved Orenburg in last year`s semi final rematch, beating Robert GARDOS in third match. Now, the stake was not so high, but Russian again was better than Austrian. This time in four sets (last year twice 3:2). Host had a nice chance for 2:0 lead in sets (11:10, 12:11). When he attacked on 12:11 it looked like guest has no chance, but SMIRNOV somehow showed an amazing response. In third period former Euro Top 12 winner turned from 4:7 to 10:7 however needing five set balls to conclude that set. Finally, everyone wanted to see will GAO Ning stay unbeaten playing against 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Dima OVTCHAROV or not. Singaporean improved his 2012/13 score on 10-0 after opening clash with SAMSONOV, having now in front of him the man who beat him twice last season. And, history has repeated again: German won thanks to his super strong nerves, fantastic serve and fascinating reaction in almost each long rally. Many times German took the points from no way situation. The late third set was decisive one when guest answered by five points in a row on GAO`s 9:6 lead. Chartres ASTT – Fakel Gazproma Orenburg 1:3 (7:10) GAO Ning – Vladimir SAMSONOV 3:1 (4:11, 11:8, 11:5, 11:4) Par GERELL – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 1:3 (11:8, 5:11, 7:11, 12:14) Robert GARDOS – Alexey SMIRNOV 1:3 (11:8, 12:14, 11:13, 7:11) GAO Ning – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 2:3 (13:11, 9:11, 9:11, 11:8, 8:11)
Extraordinary ETTU Congress in Paris
Extraordinary ETTU Congress is going to be held during the World Championships 2013 in Paris on the 16th of May 2013 at 3 p.m. in the Hotel Marriot, La Seine C. A lot of important issues are on agenda. The sport’s focus will be on the propositions that co, Extraordinary ETTU Congress is going to be held during the World Championships 2013 in Paris on the 16th of May 2013 at 3 p.m. in the Hotel Marriot, La Seine C. A lot of important issues are on agenda. The sport’s focus will be on the propositions that concerns changes of the major ETTU Events such as European Championships, European Youth Champions, European Veteran Championships, as well as club’s competitions. You can find the documents attached here
Enormous task for Polish Tarnobrzeg
KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg regularly reached the final stages of the ETTU Cup in 2008, 2009 and 2010. On Saturday Polish club will play another final. This time on the other side of the table will be Turkish Fenerbahce. And like before it will be great challeng, KTS Zamek Tarnobrzeg regularly reached the final stages of the ETTU Cup in 2008, 2009 and 2010. On Saturday Polish club will play another final. This time on the other side of the table will be Turkish Fenerbahce. And like before it will be great challenge for Polish club. Fenerbahce won the title last year and this season they has even stronger team. In penultimate stage Tarnobrzeg overcame TT Saint Quentin from France and in both legs they recorded straight matches victories. In France Margaryta PESOTSKA, HAN Ying and Renata STRBIKOVA, and LI Qian instead of PESOTSKA in Poland were very impressive. “The players were focused. The absence of YU Mengyu in the team of Saint Quentin in the first match was good for us, but we were still very careful. After opening match victory, French side was under pressure,” said coach Necek ZBIGNIEW. HAN Ying gave dream start in both matches, but the others followed successfully. “We have five good players and we can count of each of them.” Fenerbahce is very dangerous adversary. “We expect good, leveled match. We are waiting for the title for long, but this time it will be very hard to reach it. Turkish club is the favorite, they are much stronger. In same team are Viktoria PAVLOVICH, Elizabeta SAMARA, HU Melek and ZHOU Fangfang…They are all players with different style of play and that makes them very difficult to beat. “ Two clubs played against each other in season 2000. “At that time, we won, but we can not compare this team with the one from that period. Now they are much stronger.” In semi final Tarnobrzeg overcame Russia’s Evromost Kuban.
