I just received a call from a man I played at the 2008 Games. He’s from Viet Nam and has just moved to Sandy, Utah, about four hours from where the Games are held in St. George. He and I are teaming up for the double venue in the 2009 Games. His name is Kied Bo, I do not know his wife’s name at this time. Here are a few pictures from the 2008 Games.
This is a somewhat irenic picture of our club president, Sam
This is a somewhat less irenic picture of Sam in action. 
I’ve just sent my registration off to the Phoenix Table Tennis Club to enter the Valley of the Sun Open, December 6-7, 2008. I’ll be playing in the Over 60 Singles Round Robin, Rated Singles U-1300, and U-3200 Doubles. I do not have a doubles partner, but the tournament director said he’d find me one.
I’m really looking forward to this tournament, as it’s not just the geriatrics (they will be the minority), but a lot of young good players. I plan on taking lots of pictures and watching some excellent matches.
The games started in 1987 and are held each year in Saint George, Utah. This was really an awesome experience. I met so many really neat people. There were a lot to meet, i.e. 9,701 athletes as well as friends, relatives, coaches, and spectators competing in 25 different sports. Since their beginning there have been participants from 58 different countries that have participated. At the games this year there were participants from 24 different countries and all 50 states.
I did not metal in Table Tennis but had a great time and played well above what was my best. I played players from Russia, Viet Nam, Thailand, Japan, China, Alaska, and various states within the lower 48. It was great fellowship and my rating will most likely move me from the 800 bracket into the upper 1200 or lower 1300 bracket. I most certainly plan on participating in the 2009 games.
I really appreciate the guys in the Tri-City Table Tennis Club. I feel like they’re really pulling for me and my participation in the Senior Games in Utah. Several of the guys have been working to “whip” me into shape. The emphasis here is on “whip”.
I really enjoy the club and the competitive, but fun, atmosphere. Make no mistake, everyone wants to win, even our extra senior seniors.
I encourage you to visit the Tri-City Table Tennis Club website, via the link. I’ve been a member for about two years now and truly enjoy the fellowship, although I’ve suggested changing the name to the Tri-City Geriatric Table Tennis Club, as most all of our members are senior citizens, with a couple in their 80’s. We would really like to encourage some younger people to join our club. We play three times a week. The Club website will give you the particulars.
It’s good exercise and great fellowship.
Last year I participated in the Prescott Senior Olympic Games. It was a lot of fun to participate with other geriatrics (must be at least 50 years old). I entered Table Tennis Singles and Doubles, as well as Archery Compound (sight & release) and Traditional (no sight, no release, and no compound).
This year I will participate in the Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah. I’ve entered Table Tennis Singles and Doubles. I also entered Archery Target (30 arrows from 60/50/40 yards each), Archery Field Animal (walk round a course & shoot paper animal targets at marked distances), and Archery 3-D (walk around a course & shoot 3-dimensional animal targets at unmarked distances). The archery events will be over four days, as the Table Tennis events are over four days. I am now 65 years old and will participate in the 65-69 age bracket in the archery events. In Table Tennis, since I am what is called a rated player (doesn’t mean I’m good, just rated), I may find myself matched with some kid of only 50!!! Hardly seems fair, does it!
I’m really looking forward to these games. Last year there were 9,503 participants from 53 countries that participated in some 25 events. The events cover a wide spectrum of sports, e.g. Badminton, Basketball Bowling, Golf, Cycling, Cowboy Action Shooting, Softball, Racquetball, Swimming, Track & Field, Cycling, etceteras. The expectation for this year is for more than 11,000 participants from more than 60 countries. I will definitely be taking my camera and taking lots of pictures.