NANAIMO — For the first time in recent memory, a high level table tennis tournament came to the Harbour City.
Around 70 players contested three different divisions at Randerson Elementary School on Saturday, April 19, with players from across Nanaimo, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland participating.
Co-organizer Eric Tran said this event adds to a growing calendar for local players.
“Nanaimo has never organized this before. There’s always a tournament in Victoria every May, and in Cumberland, but this is the first time we’ve organized in Nanaimo.”
Players competed in Nanaimo Open, Island Open and doubles divisions, with around $1,000 in prize money up for grabs.
Andrew Choi made the trek up from Victoria to play.
“I started in 2020, when COVID happened and I had nothing better to do. It is pretty fun. It’s a pretty serious sport, there’s tournaments in Vancouver and all around the world. I just want to not get eliminated in the group stage, that’s all I want.”
He said the sport is a good stress reliever.
Max Stutz played competitively as a child before losing contact with the sport in his native Germany.
Now on Vancouver Island, he’s excited to be back involved with the game.
“I played table tennis growing up in Germany and I didn’t think I would find a place dedicated to table tennis like this. So many young, fun players to play with over here. I like the comradery, the skills you develop, being fit and staying in shape. It’s a small community of players on the Island, everybody knows everyone and we cheer for each other so it’s fun.”
He said it’s a sport which can appeal to all ages and skill levels.
Many of Saturday’s competitors will also play in tournaments in Victoria and Cumberland later this year.
Victoria will host their event on May 24, while the Canadian Championships are scheduled for Richmond in mid-July.
Victoria’s Andrew Choi loads up a serve in one of his early round robin matches. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.
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