My friend, the 80 year old Ping Pong Champ
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
Eugene, Oregon
May 4, 2016 10:58am CST
When we moved in to this little retirement community about sixteen months ago, I discovered there was a table tennis (ping pong) group that played two days a week. It is a mixed group of men and women and we play doubles. I had not played since I was in my 20s (a very long time ago), but it came back to me pretty quickly.
Having read an article about how good the game is for the "aging brain," made it even more appealing. One of the men, Tom, celebrated his 80th birthday late last year. Tom also plays at a local club called "Blazing Paddles," and he is a really good player.
Monday night, he and I went to a brew-pub where there was a tournament. While there were only eight players, one, Peter, was quite good. I drew him and was quickly eliminated, but Tom beat two other opponents and then took on Peter, a big young strong skilled player.
I am glad to say that Tom beat him by at least eight points and won the tournament. They have the tournament every other week. We might go back and take more old duffers some time.
Have you ever played ping pong?
10 people like this
11 responses
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
5 May 16
Not since I was a teenager. I really should find a more vigorous physical hobby.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (28390)
• Singapore
4 May 16
Among the games I used to play - Tennis, Badminton, Soccer, Cricket, I am best at Table Tennis.
Now I have sort of retired but as you say the skills are not lost but may need some polishing.
I cannot but share how I won a mixed doubles Badminton tournament. I did not want to let down my enthusiastic partner and I played like a real pro! siva
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
4 May 16
That is a very active game and a lot of fun too. Glad you won.
1 person likes this
@puddleglum (1380)
• United States
4 May 16
Good for Tom! And good for you for taking the game up again. I played a little when I was very young, but not since then.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
4 May 16
It is a great game and very active too. One man fell and ended up having surgery on his wrist and one woman has fallen twice. Fortunately, I have no problems that would tend to make me fall while pursuing a ball.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
4 May 16
@puddleglum True, I would not care for an injury.
1 person likes this
@puddleglum (1380)
• United States
4 May 16
@JamesHxstatic That's good. If you hurt your wrist, you might not be able to mylot, and that would be a bummer.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
15 Sep 16
It really is and great for the brain as well.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
15 Sep 16
I think anything that keeps us moving is good. @JamesHxstatic
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@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Nov 17
I had not played for at least 25 years when we moved here nearly two years ago. At 77, I am still quite agile and play three times a week.
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
10 Nov 17
@JamesHxstatic
That is great James and that must help you with the deliveries.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (91127)
• United States
4 May 16
I've only played ping pong as a kid but it sounds like fun having championships/tournaments to participate in
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
•
6 May 16
for awhile, my daughter was taking some acting classes in a far north suburb which meant i had a couple hours to kill. there's a YMCA nearby & so i would go there for yoga. i usually had to take my 5 year old with me. there was a ping pong table & she always wanted to play. we did a time or two. though playing with a 5 year old doesn't really seem like playing.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43646)
• Denver, Colorado
4 May 16
I've played, but I'm not that good.
1 person likes this
