The Rockhampton Table Tennis Association proudly celebrated its representatives, Monica Deeth and Warun Wilkinson, who competed at the Australian Veteran Table Tennis Championships in Tasmania last week. This marathon seven-day event, concluding on Saturday, showcased some of the nation’s finest veteran players, with a strong contingent from New Zealand adding to the already fierce competition. With over 400 competitors, the 2024 edition was no exception to the championship’s beloved reputation.
Table Tennis Australia delivered a world-class experience, equipping Launceston’s impressive Silverdome Stadium with 34 full-sized playing courts under one massive roof. The setup and breakdown of the venue was an immense task, highlighting Table Tennis Australia’s dedication to the success of the event. The jam-packed schedule featured team events alongside individual singles, doubles, and mixed doubles draws across nine age groups, ranging from over-30s to over-85s for both men and women.
Monica Deeth, a seasoned competitor at the Aus-Vets, was selected for Queensland’s over-50 second team—an impressive feat as she competed in a younger age group than her usual division. Monica featured prominently in both singles and doubles matches, often facing off against the toughest teams. She regularly caused upsets or pushed her opponents to a fifth and deciding set. In the individual over-60 events, Monica continued to impress, reaching the round of 16 in the mixed doubles alongside Bundaberg’s Reinhard Lot.
For Warun Wilkinson, this tournament marked an exciting milestone. Having taken up the sport seriously only a couple of years ago, Warun competed in the over-50 men’s section as part of a composite team alongside two New Zealand players. He proudly secured his first National-level victories, recording two excellent team event wins—one against ACT and another against Tasmania. Although no further wins followed in the individual events, Warun’s enthusiasm for competing at this level only grew with each match.
Rockhampton Table Tennis is thrilled with Monica and Warun’s efforts and eagerly anticipates how this invaluable experience will shape their future performances.