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This content was published: October 29, 1998. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.

International Table Tennis Tourney Hits PCC Nov. 7-8

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The world’s finest table tennis players will take to the table, paddles in hand, looking to crush some ping pong balls in the 11th annual Pacific Rim Open table tennis tournament at Portland Community College, Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 and 8. The tournament takes place in the Sylvania gymnasium, HT Building, 12000 S.W. 49th Ave.

The world-class event features the best table tennis has to offer, with Olympians and national champions from the U.S. and Canada competing for $7,500 in cash prizes. Some of the big names competing include the U.S. No. 1-ranked player, Fan Yi Yong of Portland, Gao Jun, the U.S. women’s champion from Maryland, and U.S. Women’s Seniors Champion, Judy Hoarfrost. Canadian champions and No. 1-ranked players such as men’s competitor Hai Tao Geng and women’s star Wenxiao Wang will battle it out for the prize money and trophies.

All skill levels, however, will be represented in this U.S.A.T.T.-sanctioned event, which also features students on the PCC table tennis team.

"This is a fabulous event with great athletes," said event organizer and PCC table tennis coach Jim Scott. Scott added that the country’s best with a paddle, Portland resident Fan Yi Yong, is also available for individual coaching for aspiring table tennis stars.

Tickets for the two-day tourney are $5. They are available at the door of the PCC Sylvania gymnasium. Doors open at 8 a.m. both days. The semi-finals of the tournament begin at noon on Sunday.

Contact Jim Scott for details on the tournament, or the Fan Yi Yong coaching clinics, at 239-4116.