Ageless Turkish table tennis maestro Ünal inspires generations

Ageless Turkish table tennis maestro Ünal inspires generations

Yalçın Ünal, a spirited 77-year-old from Ordu, has discovered immense pleasure in passing on his experience in desk tennis to younger fanatics, refusing to let his advancing age dampen his ardour.

Residing in Altınordu, Ünal, a retired instructor, has achieved outstanding success in desk tennis since first gripping a racket in 1977.

From 1984 to 2002, he dominated the provincial desk tennis scene, claiming the title of champion 12 months after 12 months.

Harnessing his expertise as a coach, Ünal propelled the groups underneath his steering to victory in provincial and regional championships.

Moreover, he devoted a good portion of his time as a desk tennis referee, contributing to the game in multifaceted methods.

Even after concluding his lively sporting profession, Ünal refused to relinquish his reference to desk tennis, amassing over 250 medals, cups and accolades each as an athlete and a coach.

He now frequents the Altınordu Youth Center on choose days of the week, partaking within the sport he cherishes whereas imparting its intricacies to keen younger learners.

In an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), Yalçın Ünal expressed his deep-rooted bond with desk tennis, a solitary endeavor that captivated him from a young age.

The octogenarian, now a doting grandfather to 3, recounted his preliminary encounters with defeat by the hands of expert opponents.

However, his perseverance bore fruit, as he quickly commenced a powerful streak of victories that catapulted him into aggressive desk tennis.

Ünal shared that his journey into aggressive matches commenced in 1984, throughout which he participated in varied golf equipment’ tournaments till 2002.

Over an illustrious 18-year span, he amassed greater than 250 medals.

Turkish veteran table tennis player Yalçın Ünal shows off his accolades at the Altınordu Youth Center, Ordu, Türkiye, June 24, 2023. (AA Photo)

Turkish veteran desk tennis participant Yalçın Ünal exhibits off his accolades on the Altınordu Youth Center, Ordu, Türkiye, June 24, 2023. (AA Photo)

Subsequently, he transitioned into a training position, imparting his data and expertise to budding athletes.

Confident in his skills, Ünal emphasised that his adversaries yearned to problem and surpass him on the desk.

His formidable presence and tenacity made him an opponent to not be taken evenly.

Although he ceased teaching in 2017, his enthusiasm for desk tennis stays undiminished.

He continues approaching the sport with the identical ardour as he did on his first day.

At the Altınordu Youth Center, Ünal engages in riveting matches and presents unwavering assist to aspiring younger people eager to embrace this invigorating sport.

Turkish veteran table tennis player Yalçın Ünal shows off his skills at the Altınordu Youth Center, Ordu, Türkiye, June 24, 2023. (AA Photo)

Turkish veteran desk tennis participant Yalçın Ünal exhibits off his abilities on the Altınordu Youth Center, Ordu, Türkiye, June 24, 2023. (AA Photo)

Delighting in his every day two-hour desk tennis periods on the heart, Ünal is humbled by the eye and admiration he receives from the youthful era.

His skillful gameplay captivates his enthusiastic onlookers, typically prompting them to inquire in regards to the intricate strategies he employs.

Ever the mentor, he endeavors to help each one among them, generously sharing his knowledge.

Emphasizing that desk tennis is a sport accessible to all, supplied their well being permits, Ünal presents invaluable recommendation to the youthful demographic.

He urges them to domesticate self-discipline via common observe and assures them that success on this sport is inside their grasp.

Encouragingly, he advises the youth to divert their consideration from extreme cellphone utilization by immersing themselves on the earth of desk tennis.

In addition to the bodily advantages, they may uncover solace and reduction from the burdens of on a regular basis life.

Unfazed by the passage of time, Ünal holds himself in excessive regard inside the realm of desk tennis.

He harbors aspirations to imagine a training or managerial place within the desk tennis staff that Ordu Metropolitan Belediyespor plans to ascertain.

Notably, he attracts inspiration from the famend desk tennis fanatic, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, expressing a deep want to interact in a match with the esteemed chief.

The prospect of difficult the president of a nation fills Ünal with immense delight, as he considers it a outstanding honor.

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