This user has no status.
This user has no status.
Started my table tennis journey this year and I'm curious if there are others like me that have started late in life and have similar goals.
I have married into a family where my wife's children played table tennis. I played a little when I was younger, but it was just the basement with my friends, we had no idea what we were doing.
I'm 47 years old and I'm a big guy. I'm being nice to myself, I am fat! I've been an athlete most of my life competing competitively in several sports, but when I got into my late 30's, I wasn't as active and having a desk job....well, you know. 342 lbs was my top weight.
My wife's oldest son really loves playing, so I started playing with him. Line was cast, I bit, and now am thoroughly hooked. Obsessed. I found a sport I could once again be passionate about and use it as a driver.
In February, I bought a table, catch net, robot, my first blade, some rubbers and now I play everyday. I often wonder how good I could have been if YouTube was available in my 20's! I'm on everyday watching video's, drooling over equipment, and combing through the forums. I practice on average about two hours a day.
Found a local group that would meet on Sunday's and started comparing my progress against others. It's a good group of folks, but all doubles and always the same people. Not too serious, lot's of players just trying stuff. The really decent players tend to stay together and hard to get matches against them.
Found another group of players that meet up on Monday afternoon and that has been fun. The wife even plays there, but competition isn't that great, a lot of players in their 60's just getting the exercise. There I'm considered one of the good players, which makes me laugh because I know I'm not even close. I just don't serve illegally, so they think I'm some kind of wonder player
Still not enough for me. I firmly believe in playing better people to get better. I don't get discouraged getting whooped on, it actually motivates me more. Nothing I like to hear more than "Wow, you have gotten so much better!" and seeing that weird look on their face when the overweight new guy beats them.
Looking around I wanted to find a more serious place to play, but the only good club I could find was about an hour drive across town. So of course, I went. Club is amazing 18 Butterfly tables, experienced coaches, talent out the roof.
Went back last night and found out they had a league playing that night. After talking to some players, tracked down the guy that runs it and me, my oldest step son (26), and my youngest step son (17) signed up. "What's your rating?" Ummm, negative... no idea how to answer that.
So he took a chance and put us in the lowest division D. Me and my step sons were put in a pool with three other 10 year old boys. I managed to win the match against one of the youngsters and my 17 year old. My step sons didn't win a single match against them. These kids were no joke and it took a lot for me to swallow my pride, reminding myself that these kids have been taking lessons and been trained probably before they could even look over the table. I also learned that I had no idea how to handle a tomahawk serve....cost me big time against the other two, whole reason I lost. Much time will be spent this week figuring out how to deal with that spin, I was way too passive on the return and the ball was shooting off my bat.
So I've been actively playing since February. I'm down to 300 lbs. Movement is my biggest focus, but due to my weight my knees take a beating when I go a while. I have to recover the next day, so usually just work on my serves to lesson the impact. Recovery is now more important because my goal is not only to get better, but to utilize the movement to lose weight. I'll have to add some bike riding too it too as I'm starting to plateau. Of course I had to change my other favorite past time....food! No sugar, limited carbs I've gotten used to it. I'm a better cook because of it.
I'm joining the club as a member now. Family membership, myself and the oldest son will be taking lessons. We have found a tournament in July and that's our target to travel to that and bring the competition up another level.
I have been stalking this community for about a month now and I am really glad I found it. Very helpful and appreciate everyone's opinions and feedback. It has helped my game tremendously.
I'm curious if others here have had a similar journey and/or goals through table tennis. I'll be checking back in to seek advise and help. Started taking video's and will post as I figure out a more efficient way of doing so.
Again, appreciate having this place to learn and all the time everyone has spent offering help!
Chris
Just an update on my forehand after 2 lessons.
For 1 point forehand, I think my stroke is definitely shorter than before, and more consistent.
But for 3 point forehand, old memory still comes back to me and I will take longer swing when I am not conscious. Something to keep in my mind.
Swing with the hips, not the arm. Stop trying to hit the ball hard. Get the hip timing down even if you put the ball into the net. When the hip timing is fixed, the rest will follow easily. Swinging hard is overrated.
A brand new Swedish documentary called "Best in the world", about how Sweden fostered two of the greatest players and what it takes to become the best. It's in Swedish though
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fms...aS_UqQGF5NGknmivmfvsD1WDN3TifSoe1te4QK5q6ar_4
The older I get the more I like Persson. Such a nice guy!
i really liked his interviews during the WTTC. He did indeed look very nice. Waldner seems to be more proud / arrogant
Oh no, not again...