First-ever mixed doubles champions crowned
MUSCAT: The penultimate day of play saw the first ever mixed doubles world titles decided at the World Veteran Table Tennis Championships Muscat 2023, held at the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC).
Denmark’s Carsten Egeholt and Janne Jensen took the title in the 40-years category, after overcoming the pair of Igor Krokhin from Sweden and Finland’s Marina Donner (119, 3-11, 11-7, 11-9) in the final. Italy’s Hansjoerg Toll and Korea Republic’s Oh Yunkung secured victory in the 45-year category in what was the closest final of the day – the pair recovered from a two-game deficit to secure victory (5-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8,11-4) over Ukraine’s Viktor Vasylevskyi and Nataliia Ostrovska.
Latvian duo Sandijs Vasiljevs and Ina Jozepsone claimed gold in the 50-years category after a hardfought match against Denmark’s Karsten Haumann and Pia Toelhoj (11-7, 11-9, 11-7), while Romania’s Andreas Fejer-konnert and Switzerland’s Margit Geiger emerged victorious in the 55-year category in straight games (11-4, 11-2, 11-4) against Denmark’s Jan Sondergaard and Jette Vieg.
In the 65-years category, Paal Guttormsen of Norway and Estonia’s Kai Thornbech overcame Ukraine’s Leonid Segal and Svea Onno in a four-game match (711, 11-7, 12-10, 11-7) to claim top spot on the podium.
The title decider in the mixed doubles 75 years category was a contest between husband-andwife teams from the United States. David and Donna Sakai beat Del and Connie Sweeris (12-10, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4) to take first prize.
The team of Cheung Tingting and Jiang Zhaozhao from China emerged victorious in the 70-years category after beating India’s Pinakin Sampat and Japan’s Etsuko Iseki (11-3, 11-1, 11-5) in the final. In the 85-years category, Japan’s Kazuo Masuda and Reiko Miura secured gold after a tough match against Germany’s Peter Stolzenburg and Marianne Blasberg (11-4, 11-9, 9-11, 119). A German win came in the 80-years category when Dimitrije Bilic and Heidi Wunner defeated England’s Roy Norton and Carol Judson (9-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5).
Vivek Kohli, Co-chairman of STAG International, representing
India said, “Oman is a lovely place, and this World Veteran Table Tennis Championship will leave deep memories with the players. I can say this is the best ever tournament. The venue is so nice, the people, and everyone has enjoyed this. The next host will have to do a lot to exceed this! For me, as a player, it has been an amazing experience. I am returning after eight years; everything has been perfect. I have really enjoyed it. In singles, I finished top 32 and in doubles top 8 in the world, so it is a good feeling.”
Peter Karlsson, head TT coach at the Aspire Academy in Qatar, representing Sweden said, “I have to give a big thanks to the organising committee and the country of Oman. The way the country and the people have received me is amazing. Secondly, the competition itself was very fun. For me coming here as an experienced player, it is nice to meet a lot of friends. Of course, we want to win, but it’s not the main thing. It was when I was younger, but now I have a different mindset. Life is more about friendship and happiness, so I am very happy to have to his opportunity in Muscat.”
Saturday will see the winners in the men’s and women’s singles and doubles competitions decided, adding
tension and excitement to proceedings and bringing an incredible tournament to a close with players looking to take home the trophy. The two most experienced players in the entire competition will compete in the final of the 85-years group.
Hyun Youngja and Watanabe Yasu, both from Japan, have proved throughout the championships that age is just a number as the two 90-year-olds show how sport can bring lifelong joy.