Sportsman’s Notebook International Table Tennis This Evening

Press, Issue 29236, 21 June 1960, Page 6

Sportsman’s Notebook International Table Tennis This Evening

The appearance this evening of Misses K. Matsuzaki and K. Yamaizumi in the Caledonian Hall will mark the second time within four seasons that table tennis players an denthusiasts in Christchurch have been able to see the reigning world table tennis players and enthusiasts in previous occasion was in 1957 when L Ogimura and T. Tanaka played at the Civic Theatre.

It is not often that reigning world champions in any sport are seen in Christchurch, and for this reason alone the Japanese players will be ah attraction. The penholder grip, fast hitting and excellent footwork which carried Miss Matsuzaki to the world singles title and Min Yamaizumi to the world doubles title last year should prove of interest to all sportsmen.

New Zealand is fortunate that it has a player of the standard of Miss J. Williamson, who is capable of bringing out the very best in the visitors. It Is certain that the world champions will not have matters all their own way this evening. Miss Williamson has already opposed the Japanese in two matches, in Timaru on Thursday evening and Invercargill on Saturday evening, and she has shown a steady improvement. Her performance in taking Miss Yamaisumi to a 23-21, 21-18 decision in Invercargill shows that she is capable of winning a match in this international fixture. The other New Zealand representative in this evening’s match. Mrs J. Magorian, from Dunedin, is one of the Dominion’s most extoienced players. With the exception of last season when she played no competitive table tennis. Mrs Magorian has been Iranked in the first five in the Dominion in every season since 1948. She has won the national singles title once, and has been runner-up six times. I With Miss Williamson, Mrs Magorian played against the tourists in Invercargill on Saturday evening. Although she did not score many points against either player that time it is certain that she will benefit from that experience and do better this evening. The international contest itself will comprise four singles matches and one doubles match. It will be preceded by an exhibition match between Canterbury’s two leading men players, V. N. Brightwell and J. Armstrong. The Japanese women will play their usual exhibition match against each

other, and will play a mixed doubles match with Armstrong and T. R. D. Flint as their partners. In another match the manager of the Japanese team, H Shimizu, a former Japanese men's singles titleholder. wiU play A. B McCallum (Canterbury).

, Broadcast Of Fight The world heavy-weight boxing title fight between Ingemar Johansson, the holder, and Floyd Patterson, will be held at 3 p.m today, New Zealand time. A recording of the fight > will be played back at 0 pan. from all YA stations. • • • Davis Cup, 1960 Interest In tennis in Australia will reach its climax when Australia defends the Davis Cup at the White City courts, Sydney, on December 26, 27, and 28 this year These courts have been the scene of exciting encounters over the years, and huge stands are erected around the centre court to seat many thousands of spectators. Special arrangements are made for TV and newsreel cameras, radio networks and the press.