Lucas and Laffeer win bronze medals in Turkey

Two Sri Lankan veteran table tennis players, Dr G N Lucas and M M M Laffeer participated in the 16th international veteran table tennis tournament held in Antalya,. Turkey from September 26 to October 2. In all, 172 players form 19 countries, including China, Japan, Germany, Russia, Iran, Turkey, France, India, Norway, Denmark, Austria and Sri Lanka participated in the tournament.

Dr G N Lucas

M M M Laffeer

The Men's Singles was played in the age groups 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70-74 in groups of four on a round robin basis.

The first 2 in each group went through to the knockout stage. Playing in the 65-69 year age group Dr G N Lucas was placed second in the round robin stage and went through to the knockout stage. In the knockout stage he lost in the quarterfinals to an Iranian player. Playing in the 60-64 year age group M M M Laffeer was placed second in the round robin stage and went through to the knockout stage where he lost in the pre-quarterfinals to a Russian player.

In the Men's Doubles, playing in the 60-64 age group, Dr G N Lucas and M M M Laffeer were placed second in the round robin stage and went through to the knockout stage. In the knockout stage they beat a Russian pair in the quarterfinals and lost to another Russian pair in the semifinals thus winning bronze medals.

Iranian and Russian players dominated the tournament winning most of the titles.