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Atlanta, GA • March 17-22, 2003
By Larry Hodges
Dr.
Tran in Action. Action photo (R) by Ray
Swords Photography ©2003.
It may come as a surprise to many, but seeded #10 here, and rated 2503 in current ratings, is the man you want as an opponent if you have a medical emergency. Dr. De Tran may do his best to kill you on the table, but he'll do whatever it takes to keep you alive away from it.
De, 31, is a lefty shakehander who loops from both sides. He's also a medical doctor, a general practitioner with a medical practice at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in New York City. With a record of 5-3 in the Trials, he's in the middle of the running for the U.S. Team, with wins over Ashu Jain, Darko Rop, Brian Pace, Adam Hugh and Jiachen Wang. He also went seven games with Eric Owens.
De came to San Jose, California, USA, in 1985 when he was 15 from his native Vietnam. He didn't speak a word of English, and he estimates he was about 1900-2000 level at the time. He has since improved to 2500+, and received his MD in 2000.
Due
to medical school, he almost didn't have time for table tennis, but he was
inspired by David Zhuang to continue.
Dr. Grady Gordon: MD, International Umpire, and U.S. Over 75 Champion. Photo by Larry Hodges ©2003.
De isn't the only doctor here: If you do have a medical emergency while at the Team Trials, it's best to do it while playing De, and with Dr. Grady Gordon (left) as the umpire. Grady, 76, from Waco, Texas, was a general surgeon before retiring five years ago. He is also the current U.S. Over 75 National Champion, and Runner-up in Over 70 to Marty Reisman.
2003 USA Team Trials Home Page
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