2026 National veteran Table Tennis Championship at Albury NSW

🏓 Australian Table Tennis Veterans Championships 2026 – A Week to Remember

After eight days of competition, from 17 to 24 October, the Australian Table Tennis Veterans Championships have finally come to an end.

What an incredible week it has been!

The highlight was undoubtedly our team's outstanding performance. After four days of intense competition, we defeated all nine state teams to claim the gold medal! It was a fantastic team effort, and I'm incredibly proud of what we achieved together.

In the individual events, there were both victories and disappointments.

My mixed doubles partner and I narrowly missed out on a semi-final spot. In the men's 65+ doubles, Yu-Liang Chiang and I fought through five hard-fought games before losing 18–16 in the deciding game. In the men's 70+ doubles, Paul Pinkewich and I reached the semi-finals but were defeated by the Victorian pair.

In the men's 65+ singles, I lost in the round of 16. In the men's 70+ singles, I reached the semi-finals and finished with a bronze medal after losing to a strong player from Western Australia.

Although I didn't collect as many medals as I have in previous years, I have no regrets. Every match was a challenge, and every point was a battle.

At 74, I can feel the difference. My stamina is not what it used to be, and my footwork and movement around the table are getting slower. Experience can help us read the game, but it cannot completely make up for declining speed and fitness.

This championship has reminded me that there is still work to do. I need to train harder, especially on my footwork, movement and physical fitness.

Age may slow my steps, but it will never take away my passion for table tennis.

As long as I can still hold a paddle, I will keep training, keep competing and keep pushing myself to improve.

There will always be another match, another challenge and another opportunity to become a better player.

Congratulations to our team on winning the gold medal, and thank you to everyone who made this championship such a memorable experience.

The medals are important, but the passion to keep playing is what truly keeps us young at heart! 💪🏓