A defensive player has to be patient; that is an essential quality; it is a quality that Japan’s Koji Matsushita undoubtedly possessed during his long and illustrious career which came to a conclusion earlier in the year at the Japanese National Championships.
Now by completing a rally of 8 hours 34 minutes and 29 seconds, he has taken his taken the powers of table tennis endurance to new levels and has become a record breaker.
The previous world record was 8 hours, 15 minutes, one second. Relief
Koji finished with a forehand smash and there was a sense of relief; the relief was not that he had broken a world record or climbed new heights in the fortitude stakes; simply he could go to the toilet!
Television Programme
The marathon with partner, Hiroshi Kimura started at 1.00am on 30th August during the television programme “32nd 24hour TV/Love saves the Earth” broadcast by Nihon Television.
Success for Koji Matsushita but what about his opponent and just one other thought; he has totally dispelled the theory my dear late grandmother used to propound.
Memorable Phrase
“Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can; seldom in a woman and never in a man!”
Well done Koji, I knew that phrase was rubbish; every time it was uttered by my grandmother I lost my temper and exuded anger!
Source ittf.com
