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In the afternoon, Neil playing with referee tom Miller, who hadn’t touched a racket in a year, played strongly in the eight’s of the Random Draw Doubles dominating Danny Nasi rated 1725 and his partner. In the Quarters of this event Neil and Tom bested the incredible Bill Ruyan and partner in an exciting 5 game match. Neil’s strategy was short lead balls to Bill to keep him from teeing off. On day four, SDTTA was phenomenal. First off came the crafty, old fox, Bill Ukapatayasakul. Bill rated 2087 had previously won the gold in the 65-69 singles and the gold playing with Odo Wang, Co-owner of the Las Vegas club, in the 65-69 Doubles. Now it was the open, 2000+. In the Semi’s, Bill beat the tournament highest rated player, German player Carl Assenmacher rated 2251. This was the most exciting match of the tournament with Bill prevailing 13-11 in the fifth. In the other half of the open, Bill Ryan rated 2024 was busy playing last years winner, Ray Mack rated 2113 and subsequently Lon Dean rated 2159. The two Bills faced off in the finals with Bill Ukapatayasakul emerging as the tournament’s champion. While Bill Ryan was not busy playing the Open, he and Ragnar were winning the Silver medal in the 60-64 Doubles, with Bill Ryan also taking home a Bronze in the 60-64 Singles. Borko also added a Silver in the 1800-1999 event.
Final count for the SDTTA players: Seven Gold, five silvers and one Bronze. It must be said that a lot of those medals were possible by Leang Ge Jiang, the 2x World Champion, still rated 2631 and four other top Chinese Seniors failing to obtain their visa at the last minute thus preventing their participation.
The John Schneider Memorial OpenHere are results for our members at this tournament held in Reseda, CA. Click here to view the article was written for Butterfly Online by our very own Brana Vlasic!
2007 Recovery Games Table Tennis TournamentCo-sponsored by City of San Diego Park & Recreation Department, Therapeutic Recreation Services & the San Diego Table Tennis Club Article by Neil Smyth February 24, 2007 marked the 19th anniversary of your San Diego Table Tennis Club’s sponsorship of the “Recovery Games,” a project of the Therapeutic Recreation Services of the San Diego City Park and Recreation Department. The director, Ms. Connie Hegey, and her capable assistant, Ms. Leslie Robinson, brought approximately 122 contestants to this year’s event. The competition comprised of about 90 men 30 women and 2 youth, all recovering from alcohol and drug addictions. Your association was represented by Neil Smyth, coordinator, supported by Bill Cooper, his very capable assistant. The tournament is divided into four divisions: Advanced, intermediate, novice and women. Neil and Rill explain the rules, referee, and identify the advance group of 16 and made up their double elimination draw sheet. The other three divisions were handled by Connie, of intermediate and novice, and Leslie, the women’s group. All of us were aided by Todd Tanaka, a multiple winner of the advanced division of the pasted and a former SDTTA member. The tournament champion and winner of the advanced division was Ramon Ibarra, the only player currently a member of the SDTTA. Barry Knowlton was runner-up: first, second, and third place finishers were awarded medals in each division. The City presented plaques in recognition and appreciation to Todd Tanaka and Neil Smyth for their years of service to the Recovery Games. This writer was particularly impressed by the female contestants, all of whom stayed involved until the very end, cheering loudly after each point in the finials and semifinals. Table Tennis is honored to be one of only four sports included in these recovery games; the other three sports are track and field, basketball, and swimming. Many of the players thanked us, saying they had a great time and are pleased to participate in a competitive activity that contributes to their recovery. If any of our member have old, useable
racquets or paddle rubber that they would like to donate,
please give them to me (Neil Smyth), and I will send them
on to be utilized the Recovery Games program! Believe me;
all good deeds in aid of this organization are deeply appreciated.
(Tax deductible form can be provided for all donations)
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