ETTU Announces with Regret the Passing of the Legendary Ella Constantinescu ZELLER

Ella CONSTANTINESCU ZELLER, a legend of Romanian table tennis, has passed away at the age of 91. Inducted into the Hall of Fame by the ETTU and ITTF, alongside the legendary Angelica ROZEANU, Ella CONSTANTINESCU ZELLER made history in the sport, serving as an inspiration both during her playing career and in the years following her retirement.

Alongside other emblematic figures, Ella CONSTANTINESCU ZELLER contributed to the development and global recognition of Romanian table tennis. She also played a significant role in shaping future generations, acting as a mentor and guide.

Born on November 26, 1933, in Moldova Nouă, her table tennis journey began at the age of 11 in Timișoara, at RGMT Club, where she quickly stood out, becoming a local junior champion in 1946. This was just a prelude to her 30 national championship titles, won while playing for Progresul and Voința, in Bucharest.

“I felt the paddle like a violin,” she once said, and she mastered it with exceptional skill between 1952 and 1963, during which she won 13 medals at the World Championships, including three gold medals with the team and two gold medals in doubles, alongside Angelica ROZEANU.

Ella CONSTANTINESCU ZELLER was also European champion in women’s doubles in 1958, as well as a two-time European runner-up, with the team (1958) and in women’s doubles (1964).

Her impressive record at the biggest events also includes:

World Championships:

  • 1953 World Champion in Women’s Teams
  • 1955 World Champion in Women’s Teams
  • 1955 World Champion in Women’s Doubles (with Angelica Rozeanu/ROU)
  • 1956 World Champion in Women’s Teams
  • 1956 World Champion in Women’s Doubles (with Angelica Rozeanu/ROU)
  • 1952 Vice World Champion in Women’s Teams
  • 1957 Vice World Champion in Women’s Teams
  • 1963 Vice World Champion in Women’s Teams

European Championships:

  • 1958 European Champion in Women’s Doubles (with Angelica Rozeanu/ROU)
  • 1958 Vice European Champion in Women’s Teams
  • 1964 Vice European Champion in Women‘s Doubles (with Maria Alexandru/ROU)

International Championships:

1st place in Women’s Singles:

  • Italy: 1957
  • Romania: 1957

Romanian National Championships:

  • 1st place in Women’s Singles: 1957 – 1961
  • 1st place in Women’s Doubles: 1953 – 1956, 1958 – 1961, 1963 – 1965
  • 1st place in Mixed Doubles: 1952, 1956 – 1959, 1961, 1963

Best rankings:

  • ITTF: 2nd place in 1965
  • ETTU: 2nd place in 1964

After retiring in 1966, Ella ZELLER CONSTANTINESCU’s success story continued. Until 1989, she served as a federal coach, playing a crucial role in training top athletes who achieved international success.

As a distinguished coach in Romania, Ella CONSTANTINESCU ZELLER later emigrated to Germany, where she remained dedicated to table tennis.

In 2000, Romania honored her with the National Cross for Faithful Service, 3rd Class.

Condolences to Ella ZELLER CONSTANTINESCU’s family.

The funeral will be held in Timișoara.

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The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) is the governing body of the sport of table tennis in Europe, and is the only authority recognized for this purpose by the International Table Tennis Federation. The ETTU deals with all matters relating to table tennis at a European level, including the development and promotion of the sport in the territories controlled by its 58 member associations, and the organization of continental table tennis competitions, including the European Championships.

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