The results weren’t quite what he was hoping for, but Salmon Arm’s Winston Pain had a wonderful time anyway.
Pain once again took part in the Racketlon World Championships, held this year over four days in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Racketlon involves play in four racquet sports: table tennis, badminton, squash and tennis.
Last year Pain’s team came away with a bronze medal in masters doubles, so he was hoping to better that result this year. However, it wasn’t to be.
In Pain’s first-round doubles match, where he teamed up with John Pillings from Toronto, the Canadians were pitted against Austria.
“The game went four hours and came down to one point in tennis, which we lost,” Pain says. “So, instead of going to the 1-4 pool (semifinals), we went to the 5-8 pool. We lost the next one to Hungary and then beat the host team Bulgaria for seventh.”
Still, he says, Austria was a good draw for a first-round opponent and gave them a great game.
Of the five Canadians who participated, two men played doubles, two played singles and one woman took part in singles. Peter and Damaris Brix from Victoria teamed up to win the World Masters Mixed Doubles event.
Pain enjoyed the competition, but also the camaraderie.
“The reason I enjoy going is the friendly spirit with the other teams. I have forged a few friendships the past couple of years with other countries’ players, particularly the Hugarians, Swedes and Austrians.”
