Venue: Whitlam Leisure Center, Liverpool  Rules:  Format: Best of 3 games throughout.

Story by TransWeb Volunteer reporter Robert Fox 
The Whitlam Leisure Center was once again the site for ccmpetition on Thursday, October 2, 1997, at the XI World Transplant Games.  Whereas the previous day's venue, volleyball, was noisy and action packed with grunts, groans and cheers, table tennis was relatively quiet with the clicking of balls and paddles intermixed with polite applause. 

The intensity, nonetheless, was present and the competition was fierce.  Hard smashes mixed with subtle and finesse netplay made for delightful spectating.  Each competitor had their own distinct style especially when serving--some soft, some hard, some "sneaky" and all effective. 

Twenty tables, with an official at each, were set up in the arena, most being used at all times making for a very busy and active setting.  Matches consisted of the best of three games.  The format was that of a single elimination bracket.  The exception being that of the Womens-Super Veterans division which played a round robin with the medal champion being the competitor winning two games. 

The action was non-stop throughout the day with 135 men representing 31 countries and 54 women representing 16 countries competing.  The opportunity to compete against numerous countries made for great interaction amongst the participants and the spectators.  Table Tennis at the XI World Transplant Games  proved to be a popular venue. 
 

Listen here to an interview with Balachantr Subramaniam of Team Malaysia.

 
 

Listen here to an interview with Anders Billstrom of Team Sweden.