GENERAL SPORTS NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23748, 30 August 1940, Page 13

GENERAL SPORTS NEWS

TABLE TENNIS NOVELTY AUCKLAND HURDLER'S SUCCESS "Black-out" table tennis is tho latest sporting novelty in some overseas countries. The ball, bats and the outlines of the table are treated with luminous paint, and the effect produced is said to bo weird —especially as not evan the hands of the players are visible. The well-known Auckland hurdler H. D. Ball, formerly a member of the Auckland University, .Club and-now serving with the First Echelon as a corporal, won the 440yd6 hurdles at a meeting held some weeks ago for British forces'in Egypt. In a recent letter he states that his timo; 61 2-ss, wa? affected by the heat and lack of training. A complete now set of "test" bowls has arrived in New Zealand, and at present is being engraved prior to being distributed to tho various testing centres. The now test bowls have been presented by. Messrs. HenseiJ. of Melbourno, to the New Zealand Bcwling Council. It is worthy of notice that Miey will be 5- l-16in in diameter, as against By e in. > _____ In the latest list of world's swimming records, American swimmers dominate the men's list, holding 25 of the 31 records listed. Japan is in second place with four records, while 'A. Hoina (Germany) is responsible for the other two. Danish t girls are almost as dominant in the women s section for they hold 17 of the 29 recognised records. Other nations appearing are Holland (8), Brazil (2), Belgium (1), Germany (1). How many boxers who have held the world heavy-weight title are still living? As nearly as I can make out, says an American writer, there are 12, including the present title-holder, Joe Louis. In the order in which they have been champions, stretching back to the turn of the century, they are:— Jeffries, Burns, Johnson, Willard, Dempsey, Tunney, Schmeling, Sharkey, Camera, Baer, Braddock, Louis. Rather amazing that all of the champions since Jeffries won the crown from Fitzsimmons in 1003 are still alive, and, as ftr as I know, all of them are in good health. The necessity for wearing glasses on the field is m> handicap to D. Dixon, South Sydney Australian Rules player. Dixon, a member of a well-known, foptball family, had to drop out of tho game some timo ago because of his eyesight. A few weeks ago, when South Sydney's reserve grade team found itself short of players due to enlistments, Dixon was induced to play, glasses and all. Dixon played a brilliant game, and now seems likely to bo chosen for the first grade team. Ho has made sure of retaining his glasses during play by fixing tho frame and ear-loops to his hoad with adhesive tape. H. A. Steelo's appearances in senior Rugby in Duiiedin have been limited this season, but ho has genorally yielded to tho call when tho University A team has required his services. He played in tho game against Canterbury University College at Christchurch, and turned out to assist University A in the second round game against the B team. Steele showed glimpses of tho form that took him into tho Now Zealand Maori team that toured Fiji a couple of years ago. Liko Borghan and Simpson, Steele ia a product of Rotorua High School. Ho put up good performances at the inter-faculty athletic championships, and also represented Otago with credit at tho Now Zealand Universities championships.