By Tate Papworth
A three-time Paralympic gold medallist has taken out the inaugural Melbourne Open at Sunshine’s Loops Table Tennis.
Ma Lin took out the open, which was played out over two days late last month.
Loops Table Tennis director Simon Gerada said the standard of competition was high.
“We had table tennis royalty here over the weekend, Australian Olympians, Commonwealth Games gold medallist Melissa Tapper and three Chinese Paralympic gold medallists,” he said.
Fourteen-year-old local champion Finn Luu was also in action. Playing in the men’s singles events he defeated Irish Commonwealth Games representative Ashley Robinson before losing to three-time Chinese Paralympic gold medallist Ma Lin in the semi-final.
Luu was not the only one to fall short against the Chinese star as Australian Olympian Heming Hu also lost to Ma 4-3 in an entertaining final.
Mr Gerada said the competition, which had 165 participants and more than 1000 matches, exceeded expectations.
“The event was a huge success with participants from Ireland, China, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
“Over $10,000 in prize money was awarded and Oceania Table Tennis scholarships were presented in what was a memorable weekend.”
