Jimmy McClure Receives Prestigious Honor From Japan

By Y. C. Lee

Within USATT and the world table tennis communities, Jimmy McClure needs no introduction. Not only is he a five-time World Champion, but he has also devoted all his life to promoting and working in this sport as a volunteer. A few pages are needed to write down all the important contributions and awards he has made and received throughout the years. Thus, receiving honors is nothing new to Jimmy. But why then do I write this article about one of his many awards? Because this award was very special and unexpected.

A couple of months ago, Jimmy received a letter from the Japan Table Tennis Association (JTTA) inviting him and his wife to the Japan Open ‘98 Ogimura Cup at Wakayam, Japan held between June 10 and June 14, 1998. The purpose of this trip was for Jimmy to receive an important award.

In order to understand the value of this award, we must look back many years. Fifty years ago, Jimmy made a proposal that the JTTA be accepted into the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) family as a regular member like the U.S. At that time, many had great doubts about having the JTTA as a partner of this world organization. Many, many debates and discussions went on and some presented strong opposition having the JTTA join. But Jimmy McClure defended the JTTA, and against all opposition, used his great ability of reasoning to convince the ITTF to admit the JTTA as a member. No one questioned whether Jimmy was right or not. The JTTA has since become a valuable table tennis power in the ITTF.

Because Jimmy is always helping other people, this good deed had completely escaped his mind. Therefore, it was a very pleasant surprise for both him and his wife that the JTTA would remember his actions and honor him now for what he had done 50 years ago.

Since his wife Nell does not like taking long air flights, she had opted not to go, but insisted that Jimmy head out to Japan without her. The JTTA had arranged the entire trip from Fort Myers through Chicago and Los Angeles to Osaka Airport in Japan and back. High Japanese officials met Jimmy at every stop along the way. Upon arriving in Japan, Mr. Masakiro Nishida, Secretary-General of JTTA, and Mr. Dick Yamaoka met Jimmy at the airport and escorted him to stay in the most prestigious Ana Gate Tower Hotel, a brand new 54 story hotel nearby.

That evening, June 10, 1998, the JTTA began the Japan Open Opening Ceremony at the Hotel Tokyo Inn, Wakayama, where all the players, officials and VIPs attended. After the traditional speeches, they had prepared a big dinner party in a separate banquet hall. There they planned the great honor for Jimmy. The Japanese officials, after their speeches, presented Jimmy with a hand carved silver serving tray in recognition of and grateful thanks for his part in returning the JTTA to worldwide competition on the 50th anniversary of that occasion. Jimmy made an excellent speech in return. (You may request a copy of the speech from the USATT Headquarters.)

The JTTA had also prepared an award for USATT. Since I was fortunate to have been invited to be the Japan Open Deputy Tournament Referee, I accepted the plaque on behalf of the organization. This award was also given to the USATT in recognition and in thanks for its part in returning the JTTA to worldwide competition.

In the next few days, the JTTA treated Jimmy as a visiting royalty. They took him sightseeing to many famous places around Osaka, Nara, Kyoto and Tokyo in first class accommodation. During that time, in between all these sightseeing trips, the JTTA threw several other parties to continue honoring Jimmy. Some of the most important persons in the Japanese table tennis community attended these parties. Without a doubt, Jimmy was showered with many gifts. The most important gift he received was a gold lapel pin called the Merit Award. This pin is given to people who have provided great benefits for Japan, and for the first time, the pin was given to someone outside of Japan.

If you want all of the details to Jimmy’s trip, you should ask him. I am sure he will be happy to fill you in. Don’t forget to ask him to show you the silver serving tray too.