What organizers consider to be one of Alberta’s longest-running tournaments was served once more in the capital city on Saturday. The Edmonton Open Table Tennis Championship dates back to 1939, Allan Yip says. “I believe it’s only been stopped twice, and that was for World War II and COVID-19 … There’s a little bit of prestige to it.” That means competitors are vying for a spot on a venerable trophy shelf at Saville Community Sports Centre this weekend. Teen siblings Leo and Jasmine Zhang, for example, took to the tables against one another and forbade their parents from picking sides. “It’s not that often that we get put against each other in tournaments. It’s only happened one time before in Calgary,” Jasmine explained. “Last year I got destroyed, but this time I came out on top, so I’ve got bragging rights until next year,” Leo said. The tournament is all-ages, meaning 11-year-old Yasser Lahham, who’s been playing since he was eight, was serving against people twice his age. “It’s really fun in my opinion. There’s also not too many movements, so anybody can play,” he said. And while it’s not growing in popularity worldwide as much as, say, pickleball, coach Vlad Totkalo acknowledges, the community centre turnout speaks to how the beginner-friendly sport is respected locally. Totkalo was resting Saturday, but the 28-year-old will defend his title on Sunday against some of the pros. “We have an under-19 Canadian champion living in Edmonton, so he’s going to be playing. A lot of tough competition,” he said. Since he began in 2005, Yip says the open event has grown from 14 tables to 28. “There’s 80, 90-year-olds still playing table tennis. They’ve got a lot of history, and you’re trying to beat them. Sometimes you just can’t because they know all the tricks.” But he still believes variety is what keeps table tennis lovers coming back. “You play the same person a few times, but people evolve. How they play evolves … It’s almost like chess. You’re trying to better yourself as well as meet the other guy where he’s at.” With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Curtis Goodrum
