China’s Zhang Yining, the reigning Olympic champion, was the player to delight the crowd at the 2008 Killerspin Spinvitational tournament held from Saturday 27th to Monday 29th December; not only did she overcome all female opposition in predictable style, she also handed out the same punishment to her male adversaries.
The efforts of the current queen of table tennis were greatly appreciated in a tournament that is quite unique, most innovative and is organized to support good causes.
Staged in Chicago’s McCormick Place, the Killerspin Spinvitational supported good causes; in 2008 the beneficiaries were Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy and Best Buddies.
Organisations
Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE), is a voluntary non profit making body organised and founded by parents of children with epilepsy; whilst Best Buddies aims to improve the lives people with intellectual disabilities by providing one to one friendships and integrated employment.
Sports Festival
The Killerspin Spinvitational was part of Chicago Mayor Daley’s three day annual Sports Festival; an event that attracted over 90,000 spectators with a television arena on the concourse staging the table tennis event.
Support for the spectacular was received from the Mayor’s Office, the Chicago Park District, and the McCormick Place staff.
Danish Star in Form
Winner of the Men’s Singles event was China’s Chen Qi who overcame Denmark’s Michael Maze in the final having earlier ousted India’s Sharath Kamal Achanta and Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus.
Highlight
However, the highlight for the spectators was the series of challenge matches which involved Zhang Yining not only competing against female opponents but also against male adversaries.
She beat Hungary’s Georgina Pota in the female challenge before overcoming celebrated male opponents in the guise of former Yugoslav international Ilija Lupulesku and current Chinese international, Lei Zhenhua.
Source: www.ittf.com
