Snell fan on top of world
Not many people can say they got the better of Olympic legend Sir Peter Snell. Bruce Penberthy can now add his name to that select list. In his younger days, Penberthy was a massive fan of Snell and his groundbreaking coach, Arthur Lydiard. He claims to have witnessed Snell’s world mile record at Whanganui’s Cooks Gardens in 1962 and later that year, followed him to Perth to see his 880 yards/one mile victories at the British Empire Games.
“I’ve got his photo on my office wall,” admits the Auckland Table Tennis Association president afterwards.
So imagine his feelings at facing — and defeating — his hero in the opening rounds of the table tennis teams event at World Masters Games 2017.
“I was nervous and I didn’t really play very well, but that was beside the point,” says Penberthy. “To be honest, I’ve played for 60 years and he’s played for six years — that’s a bit of a difference.
“But it was still a thrill, because he’s not just a gold medallist. His time over 800 metres, done in February 1962, is still a national record and would still get him a medal at the Olympics.
“He was in a class of his own, but he’s an ordinary sort of guy and it’s very interesting to talk to him.”
To be fair, Sir Peter, 78, seemed just as nervous as his opponent, as he lost in straight games. He may have been New Zealand’s Athlete of the 20th Century and therefore, arguably, our greatest sportsman, but, as noted by Penberthy, he was a relative novice in a game that relies on instinct.
The three-time Olympic champion also had a full gallery of old friends and fans, all eager to renew or make acquaintances, so he was feeling that pressure to perform.
“Bruce is a damn good player,” insists Sir Peter. “Losing to him, I didn’t think was too bad at all — in fact, Bruce helped me break the ice a little bit, which was good.”
Certainly, he was much better for his “tentative” first outing, subsequently combining with local player Wes Willis for victory in the doubles and then beating Russian Robert Yakolev in reverse singles to seal the win for this team.
Yakolev, 85, who speaks no English, was excited to discover who his opponent was and resolved to play even harder, but maybe too hard for his own good.
After retiring from athletics, Sir Peter left New Zealand in 1971 and now lives in Dallas, Texas. He hasn’t visited here in seven years and there is a lot of catching up to do.
“It is distracting when you’re trying to focus, but I don’t get this attention back in Dallas, where I’m virtually anonymous, so to come back here and be welcomed is nice,” he says. “I can’t turn it down.”
Last week, Sir Peter took the opportunity to donate some of his personal memorabilia collection to the Te Papa national museum in Wellington, a move he hoped would show New Zealand that he still cared deeply about his homeland, despite his long absence.
These days, he wears a substantial knee brace and also has a heart condition that forced him to give up orienteering a few years ago.
“I’ll be 80 next year, I can still play a reasonably competitive game.”
If anything, wife Miki seems even more competitive. Sir Peter admits she is very keen to win a medal at these Games, and wants him to be in top form for their mixed doubles.
While Sir Peter charmingly deals with his post-match obligations, playing partner Wes Willis stands sheepishly to one side. For him, this will be a memorable week in the company of deity, but it also comes with a dirty little secret.
You see, Willis and Penberthy are regular partners, and were supposed to contest this teams event together.
“He came to me and said he’d been approached to play with Peter Snell, so bye bye, Brucey,” winks Penberthy. “That’s what friends do to you after 30 years.
“But it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him. This has been a great day in my life, but his great day will last a few more days.”