Sudbury Smashers Table Tennis Club members enjoyed participating in a tournament Saturday at Minnow Lake Place, said organizer Craig Morrison. He is past president and now communications director for the club.
Francois Caron won the A Division with Kamal Alem runner up. B Division was won by Calvin Goluch with runner up Thibault Dompierre.
Over a dozen participants practiced their skills and competed for cash prizes, noted Morrison.
But the sport has other benefits.
“Table tennis gives you a good workout,” Morrison said.
“It is good aerobics and excellent for your balance. It is also good for the nervous system.”
Morrison said the sport, which now has been elevated to an Olympic sport, has benefits for those who have suffered strokes. Seniors can also benefit from the game. He said he had seen a Globe and Mail newspaper story about benefits to the brain from playing the game.
"(It was reported) the aging process is slowed not only by the physical excursion but by the mental activity required to play table tennis."
Sudbury Smashers have been active for five years, Morrison confirmed. All ages participate. There are about 30 members.
“Our members range from nine years to 60. A couple of families also come out,” Morrison said.
He was active in the sport when he was younger but had a 30 year hiatus, he added. He does pursue other activities such as yoga and skiing, but he appreciates what table tennis can do for his body.
“Table tennis gives me an overall level of quickness of fitness and reflexes that I don't get elsewhere.”
Table tennis nights at Minnow Lake Place, 1175 Bancroft Dr. are 7-10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Morrison said the current president is Ben Scagnetti.
For more information, phone 523-1944 or, visit www.mysudbury.ca or email sudburysmashers@personainternet.com.
