Sports
‘Married at 24, retired, won at 55’ – Korea’s first Masters table tennis winner to compete at World Championships in Gangneung: “Table tennis is my life… I will enjoy it and do my best”
*This content has been translated by AI.
Bang Jeong-hwa, 57, Korea’s first Masters table tennis world champion, welcomed table tennis enthusiasts who came to Gangneung.
Bang Jeong-hwa will compete alongside fellow player and former athlete Ha Jung-hee in the men’s singles 55-59 age category and women’s doubles at the 2026 XIOM Gangneung World Masters Table Tennis Championships, which kicks off on the 6th.
The World Masters Table Tennis Championships are a festive stage for life sports where table tennis enthusiasts from all countries come together across borders. Bang Jeong-hwa is the person who became the first Korean player to win the singles title at the tournament in Rome, Italy last year.
Two years ago, Bang Jeong-hwa was the winner in the 50-54 women’s singles age category at the ITTF Masters World Table Tennis Championships in Rome, Italy. Recalling that time, Bang Jeong-hwa said: “It was really fun. Both the semi-finals and the final were lost 2-2. The opponent was an Italian player, so the cheering was huge. The support was intense on both sides, and winning in such an atmosphere made me even happier.”
He first started playing table tennis at the age of 10 and participated as a player in Busan Girls’ High School and the Jeil Movic corporate team. He retired from his playing career in 1993 at the age of 24. About five years after his marriage, around the age of 30, he returned to table tennis. Bang Jeong-hwa started teaching lessons at a table tennis hall managed by someone else and opened “Bang Jeong-hwa Table Tennis Class” under his own name in December 2003. Since then he has been running the hall for more than 20 years and, in addition to table tennis, he also participates in life sports.
Bang Jeong-hwa stated, “It’s good to see members enjoying their training. It’s also good to see them happy as their skills improve. Since there is no pressure like during the elite days, they can enjoy it in a healthier way. Seeing such scenes gives me a sense of satisfaction.”
Despite a busy schedule, he consistently participated in tournaments. Naturally, starting with a third-place finish in the 40s category at the tournament in Stockholm, Sweden in 2012, he racked up results including a quarterfinal in the 45-49 age category at the tournament in Elche, Spain in 2016, and finally winning the 50-54 age category at the tournament in Rome two years ago.
In Rome, he also finished third in the women’s doubles, together with his younger sister, Bang Jeong-sook. Bang Jeong-hwa explained: “Masters tournaments are great because you can meet people from many countries. The competitions themselves are fun and meeting people is a lot of fun. For those who are into life sports, it is really a meaningful tournament.”
For him, the Masters World Championships are not just a stage for competition. He has a stronger perception that it is a place for mutual understanding and exchange through table tennis. In that sense, this Gangneung tournament is even more special. Since it is being held domestically and not abroad, he can approach the tournament with a more relaxed mind.
Bang Jeong-hwa said, “I don’t feel much pressure. But since I won the last tournament, I want to do well. I’m also looking forward to it because many participants are from Japan and China.” He continued: “Looking at the enthusiasts who have decided to participate in the tournament, they are preparing very hard and participating in more competitions than ever before. My family has also decided to come and support me. I want to give my best and give a good performance. I hope everyone enjoys it and, if possible, achieves good results.” He smiled.
He also conveyed a similar message to table tennis friends from abroad who will be visiting Korea. Bang Jeong-hwa said, “Since this is a championship match, winning is of course important. But instead of focusing too much on the results, I hope everyone enjoys it together. Play the matches with full effort and have fun, and also enjoy Korean culture and the charm of Gangneung city.”
For Bang Jeong-hwa, table tennis is life itself. He said firmly, “In three years, it will be fifty years since I started playing table tennis. Table tennis has been with me for so long and it is my life.”
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*This content has been translated by AI.
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Sources 2/ https://www.starnewskorea.com/en/sports/2026/05/30/2026052918492233815 The mention sources can contact us to remove/changing this article |
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