Aussies Win Medals at 2023 World Veterans Championships

The 2023 World Veterans Championships was played in Muscat, Oman from 15-21 January. 13 Aussies made the trip to the Middle East, with two medals secured and strong results being achieved overall.

Leading the charge was reigning Australian Veterans Player of the Year, Craig Campbell, who teamed up with Tasmania’s Irina Sakova in the Over 60 Mixed Doubles to clinch a bronze medal. The Aussie pair hit a rich vein of form to win through to the semi final in an outstanding performance. Craig came close to another medal, this time pairing up with Russell Stein in the Over 55 Men’s Doubles. The Western Australian duo went within two points of reaching the semi finals, before their European opponents ended their charge 11-9 in the fifth game at the quarter final stage.

TTA Hall of Famer Betty Bird notched yet another World Veterans Championships medal, this time in the Over 85 Women’s Singles. After defeating three Japanese opponents, all in straight games, Betty’s run came to an end at the semi final stage, which secured a bronze medal.

Other notable performances came from Irina Sakova once again, this time pairing with Shirley Gelder (England), who made it all the way to the quarter final in the Over 60 Women’s Doubles. Likewise, Mick Wright and Harold Bligh also reached the quarter finals, this time in the Over 75 Men’s Doubles.

Australia also tasted success in the various Consolation events. Notably, Betty Bird won the Over 80 Mixed Doubles Consolation. Additionally, Pippa-Louise Trass made the final of the Over 45 Women’s Singles Consolation and made the semi final of the Over 40 Women’s Doubles Consolation.

Full results from the 2023 World Veterans Championships can be viewed by clicking here: https://www.ittf.com/tournament/5460/WVC2023/

The full list of Australian players who competed at the event were:

Congratulations to all Australians who competed at the 2023 World Veterans Championships.