TABLE TENNIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 July 1938, Page 9

TABLE TENNIS

' WORLD CHAMPION PLAYERS VISITING MASTERTON. CONTESTS IN MUNICIPAL HALL ON WEDNESDAY. Wairarapa residents will have the opportunity on Wednesday of seeing two world-famous exponents of the game of table tennis in action at the Masterton Municipal Hall on Wednesday evening. The visiting champions are Viktor Barna and Lazio Beliak. Barna is said to be the greatest table tennis player in the world. He has held the world’s single title on no fewer than five occasions, a performance so far unequalled. This year he was run-ner-up for the title, being beaten only by Vana, a Czechoslovakian, in the last set of a most strenuous contest. In the English championships following the world’s contest, Barna defeated Vana to take the English title. Beliak, considered by Barna and other players to be the most brilliant individual at the game, has yet to make his mark on the world’s single title. His present claim is to the singles championship of the United States of America and Austria, the mixed doubles championship of the world and in conjunction with Barna runner-up of the world’s men’s doubles. The proceedings will open on Wednesday evening at 7.45 o’clock. The Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, will extend a welcome to the visiting players who will be matched against leading New Zealand competitors. Arrangements have been made to heat the Municipal Hall for the comfort of the public.