Senior Corner

Jan/Feb 2005
By Olga & Stan Kahan,

Co-Chairs, USATT Senior Committee

949-830-6699 (ph) · 949-240-7167 (fax)

Would you believe that we have already stepped over a threshold into the year 2005 – with heartfelt wishes and hopes for steady health, prosperity and victory, especially in our table tennis adventures.

We were greatly surprised to find that in the Provo Utah’s First Annual Games, senior committee member Grant Misbach not only directed table tennis competitions, but also won gold in Men’s Singles in his age division.   He also won another gold with John Pratt in 50+ Men’s Doubles. Congratulations! 

At the same time, in the Nevada Senior Games, players from various parts of the U.S. and the World competed in “The Overall Grand Championships” – “the Best of the West” – directed by Dan Cravens.  The California Team prevailed over all hurdles and obstacles and finally won the prestigious title of “The Best of West.”

However, this table tennis saga did not end in the Nevada desert.  Many of the winners continued their hectic search for gold, silver and bronze in the neighboring state of Utah. 

During the first two weeks in October, in St. George, Utah, 6,000 senior athletes gathered to compete in 24 different sports.  What a great event these Huntsman World Senior Games are and how they have grown over the past 18 years!  The 2004 theme, “Circle of Life,” promoted Health, Peace and Friendship.”

In the table tennis competitions there were nine foreign countries : Mongolia, Spain, Germany, Norway, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Canada and Denmark, as well as 16 U.S. states.

The 160 players competing ranged from beginners to a former World Champion.  The 1948 World Mixed Doubles Champion, Tybie Sommer, enrolled to play in a “Mother/Daughter Team” with her daughter Marilyn Feinstein, in Women’s Doubles 50+.  However they were separated by the organizers who did not know about their relationship, and Marilyn won gold in the 50-59 age group with her much younger partner Tin-Ning Cheung.  During the tournament we observed Tybie giving coaching advice to a friend who was losing.  After the coaching began the match turned around and her friend won his match.  We are going to share this World Champion’s advice with everyone who is in a losing position.  She kept telling him between games, “Just keep the ball on the table.”  And the advice really works.

As at any tournament, there was a lost and found section.  The most interesting item was a dental plate with one tooth, found lying by table one.  Happily, it was reclaimed by a smiling player three days later.  No news as to whether he played better or worse as he tried to bridge the gap in his chops.

The tournament itself went exceptionally well.  Its directors, Grant Misbath and Shonie Aki, were assisted by Tom Miller, Wilfredo Escobar, Marilyn miller, Olga and Stan Kahan, Dee Osborn, John Curry and Ralph Hall.  The great final took place in Staheli’s Barn, where the medals were awarded to the winners.  The sponsors, “Staheli’s Catering,” provided a mouthwatering luncheon and a cozy social hall.  The atmosphere was very cordial and new friendships emerged in addition to old blossoming ones.

The hospitality extended from the Nevada Games through the Huntsman World Seniors to Las Vegas.  Dan Cavens from Nevada won two silver medals in St. George.  Although he did not win a bronze – he won a “Blond” From Russia With Love and, accordingly to his confession, it was the best prize!  The Nevada winners invited some St. George winners – the foreign players – to spend some time and have fun in “sinful” Las Vegas, before they returned home.  According to the latest rumors, the Huntsman World Seniors theme “Circle of  Life” was taken seriously with special emphasis on “Friendship.”  The telephone conversations and exchanges of letters and photos are still going on!

The Huntsman games sell many fine items of clothing which helps to support the games.  Our favorite was a T-Shirt with the logo “The older I get, the better I was.”  Don’t you believe it.

The best is yet to come!