Decorated Ballarat table tennis player Mark Smith has been honoured by having the Victorian Country Week Championships A grade shield named after him.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Smith has enjoyed plenty of success at the championships, winning the men’s A grade singles on nine occasions and being involved in 13 triumphant A grade teams.
The announcement came as a shock to Smith.
After Ballarat claimed another A grade title earlier this month, Smith was told the news during the presentation.
“It was a surprise, I had no idea, I was very chuffed,” Smith said.
“I was a bit of a shock on the day.”
Smith said country week was something he looked forward to playing each year. And while it was great to have success at the event, the social side of things was just as fun.
“It’s something I look forward to each year. It’s more of a get together and the table tennis takes second place.”
The 39-year-old has been playing for 30 years and has played all his table tennis in Ballarat.
He says winning all the country week titles, which sees all the country associations around Victoria compete, is the highlight of his table tennis. While as a junior he represented Victoria.
He now chooses just to play one night a week as well as supporting his kids who have also taken up the game.
