2007 News Archive

DFWTT participated in the Ismaili Jamatkhana NST Games during Thanksgiving weekend. Scott Ryan, Larry Sangren, and Daniel Rutenberg provided logistics and ran the table tennis tournament. Coach Rutenberg provided two clinic sessions for community kids and youth. Athletes participated to qualify for the International Golden Jubilee Games 2008 in Kenya.

Ludovic Gombos won the tournament, taking $300 in prize money! Timothy Wang and Courtney Roberts finished 2nd and 3rd with $200 and $100 respectively. Over 50+ players entered this traditional event. The final match featured amazing shots, classical loops and re-loops, and smart service strategies.

71 players participated with over 357 matches in the sanctioned event. Mark Hazinski and Ludovic Gombos finished 1st and 2nd in Open Division A. Elite players included Courtney Roberts, Sara Fu (defending Double Ten champion), Ines Perhoc, and Nelson Ramos. Significant number of Cadets, Juniors, and Senior players participated.

DFWTT started a new initiative with the Fall Open Tournament. For each participant at DFWTT tournaments, DFWTT makes a $2 donation to a non-profit children's educational organization, beginning the club's commitment to community support.

Over 70 players celebrated the traditional annual "Double Ten" Tournament during Taiwanese festivities. Sara Fu, one of the newest additions to the Texas Wesleyan University Team, won the Open Division A Singles, with Alex Wong in 2nd place and Rodovan Polasek in 3rd. 13 different events were played.

DFWTT was invited to participate in the advance screening of "Balls of Fury," a film featuring table tennis. Thanks to Moroch Partners and Rogue Pictures, DFWTT put together this first-ever movie party for members. Over 250 people attended the packed theater, including many DFWTT players. DFWTT showcased proper table tennis during the event.

Team Dallas traveled to Houston and was represented by 4 athletes, grabbing one Bronze medal in the Singles Category Age 13-14. More than 47 total table tennis athletes representing 14 cities across the U.S. participated. Team Dallas practiced twice a week from May through July. Athletes: Aaron Alterman, Joey Blatt, Alex Kaufman, and Ethan Presscot.

Calvin, Sue, and Alan Chen were acknowledged for their continued support to DFWTT's efforts in providing table tennis activities for youth in the DFW area. The Chen family helped sponsor the Invitational Tournament at the JCC, showing unconditional support that was greatly appreciated.

About 770 domestic and international players were present for the 2007 US Open Championship. DFWTT was well represented. Special congratulations to Anurag Matharasi and Ben Norton for their great performance. Anurag and partner Andrew Chen won the Doubles under 3200 category. Aleksandar Karakasevic (Serbia) won Men's Singles, Yuka Shiosaka (Japan) won Women's Singles.

20 players between ages 8-19 played over 100 matches in a preparatory tournament for Team Dallas attending JCC Maccabi Games. The tournament featured well-diversified Cadet and Junior players from around the Metroplex. This was the 3rd year DFWTT conducted this invitational tournament, coordinated between DFWTT and JCC Dallas.

Daniel Rutenberg was recognized by the Direct Marketing Association, International Council with the International Direct Marketer of the Year 2007 Award. This is the highest distinction and honor provided by the Direct Marketing Industry. Congratulations to Coach Daniel for his efforts on and off table tennis!

52 players entered the DFWTT Summer tournament, playing 246 matches. The tournament started as a Giant Round Robin where players qualified for their respective divisions. Cheng-Yi Du won the tournament, followed by Keith Evans (2nd) and Ludovic Gombos (3rd). James Smith and Meredith Elston won doubles, defeating Alex Wang and Ian Chan.

Over 100 players participated in the classic DFWTT Spring Tournament. The JCC provided excellent lighting, flooring, and space for 18 tournament tables. 66 players entered the sanctioned competition, playing 344 matches. Tran Tuan won the Open category, with Timothy Wang from Houston finishing 2nd.

DFWTT attended the 2nd Pre-Super Bowl Ping-Pong Tournament organized by the First United Methodist Church of Coppell (FUMCC). Coaches Kim Kill-soo, Donna Chen, and Daniel Rutenberg demonstrated table tennis to over 100 church members. DFWTT congratulated FUMCC for promoting table tennis in their community.

DFWTT organized and coordinated table tennis activities for the inaugural Winter Games of Texas! With over 100 players, table tennis made its debut at the Winter Games with sanctioned and non-sanctioned tournaments. Courtney Roberts won Open Class A, defeating Petri Heinonen in a classic offensive vs. defensive match. Timothy Wang from Houston won the U-2400 event.