Today was the first International Parkinson’s Ping-Pong Championship, and by all accounts it was a huge success. Seven entrants from various countries around the world competed (that’s why I added “International” to the title – the judges came from a variety of countries, too). The competitors were videotaped and interviewed by a bevy of film and TV producers, with lots of professional photography shot. Most important: it was fun. Equally important: it was good physical and mental exercise for the participants, all of whom have PD.
Shall we mosey through the day, moment-by-moment?
I arrived rather in medias res – even though I was a half hour early, other competitors were already warming up. All of the competition took place in this side room of the Westchester Table Tennis Center, except for the final game between the two highest scorers.
One of the volunteer judges had broken her leg and needed to use a walker. Nonetheless, she still helped to warm up Jose, a competitor.
Some of the camera crews getting their act together!
A smack of four Parky the Raccoons (official mascots of the World Parkinson Congress) helped make the refreshment table ever more appealing, while drawing everyone’s attention to the poster for the upcoming Congress in Kyoto. (Question: Will there be ping-pong tables in Kyoto? And perhaps another tournament?)
And speaking of the World Parkinson Congress, I got to meet my fellow official WPC blogger, Elizabeth Idal! She’s from Denmark, she plays ping-pong, and she’s a lot of fun!
At last it was time to begin. Will Shortz, who owns the Westchester Table Tennis Center (and is an avid ping-ponger himself) (not to mention crossword editor for the New York Times), explained the rules. Everybody would play everyone else, and the two top winners would face off in a final match in the big room. To even things out, people were handicapped (rated) based on their skill level, meaning the less advanced players didn’t have earn as many points to win a game compared to the more advanced players.
Here we are before the games began: Parkies, volunteer coaches/judges, Will Shortz. Score at the moment: 0 to 0!
Here’s the final tally of who won and who lost each of the 21 preliminary games. The two top players, Nenad Bach and Margie Alley, would now face off in the main room with an official scoreboard, a professional judge, and bleachers for the onlookers!
The Parkies were quick to get good seats!
The official scoreboard! Score at the moment: 0 to 0!
Here’s a clip of Margie and Nenad battling for the top prize!
Margie won, and they both received prize money and trophies! But frankly speaking, everyone was a winner today!
Thank you, Nenad, Will, Art, Irene, and all the other wonderful people who made this event happen – and who provide a terrific Ping Pong Parkinson’s night every Wednesday at 7:30.
Up Next: What I’m discovering as I learn this new sport of table tennis, and why it might benefit other people with Parkinson’s!
What a great event!! Nice that you get to play every week, too. Thanks for sharing the photos. Parky gets to travel to some interesting events and it’s nice that he has some friends to watch with him. 🙂