British table tennis enthusiasts – a group whose ranks have grown exponentially in recent years – approached this year’s Olympic Games with a sense of optimism tempered by realism. While most knew it was unlikely that our nation would walk away with a medal, there was some hope that the nation’s first couple of table tennis, Paul Drinkhall and Joanna Parker, would be able to find at least some success, which would show that the UK has indeed made progress in the sport.
Joanna Parker certainly did not disappoint, making it to the second round after crushing her Brazilian opponent in her first-ever Olympic match. But it was Drinkhall, ranked 107 in the world coming in to the Games, whose performance really stood out. The UK’s most renowned male table tennis player stunned Singapore’s Zi Yang, rated number 53 in the world, to advance all the way to the third round in men’s singles competition. Drinkhall called his performance against Zi the best match of his life, and even though Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov, seeded 8th in men’s singles, proved to be too much to handle in his next outing, Drinkhall’s surprisingly good showing bodes well for the nation’s future in international table tennis.
Now, it is time to build on the excitement generated by Drinkhall’s Olympic success by taking the opportunity to introduce his sport to a broader range of people. Table tennis is an exciting game that requires skill, discipline and excellent physical condition to play it well. For this reason, it has a lot to offer young people who are looking for activities that can be both fun and healthy. Outdoor table tennis tables are perhaps the best way to increase the popularity of the sport even further, since they give newcomers and veterans alike the chance to practice outside in the fresh air and sunshine. Outdoor table tennis tables placed in open public areas, such as playgrounds, beaches and parks, offer outstanding accessibility for all. If those outdoor table tennis tables have been manufactured by Caloo, they will also offer the highest quality available anywhere.
Caloo’s outdoor table tennis tables are sturdy, durable, resistant to glare and fading, and can deliver a fantastic and fun workout. Caloo knows how to make outdoor table tennis tables that people really enjoy using, and any leisure and recreation administrators, councils, community groups or good-hearted philanthropists who purchase and install these products will be doing something meaningful to promote a wonderful sport that can offer fitness and fun to people of all generations.
Paul Drinkhall’s spirit has not been dampened by his defeat at the hands (or is that the bat) of Dimitrij Ovtcharov which saw him leave the singles competition. Almost immediately he told reporters that he is now focussing on the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016, learning from what he has experienced this year to be even better next time.
In truth, we have no idea whether or not Paul Drinkhall started out on indoor or outdoor table tennis tables. However, what we can say for sure is that the next British player to make a splash on the international table tennis scene may well have made his or her start on a table supplied by Caloo.
