'Married at 24, Retired, Won at 55' — Korea's First Masters Table Tennis Winner to Compete in Gangneung World Championships: "Table Tennis Is My Life... I Will Enjoy It and Do My Best"

*This content was translated by AI.

Bang Jeong-hwa, 57, Korea's first world Masters table tennis champion, welcomed table tennis enthusiasts coming to Gangneung.

Bang Jeong-hwa will compete in the men's singles 55–59 age category and in women's doubles alongside fellow player and former athlete Ha Jung-hee at the 2026 XIOM Gangneung World Masters Table Tennis Championships, which opens on the 6th.

The World Masters Table Tennis Championships is a festive stage for life sports where table tennis lovers from all nations come together beyond borders. Bang Jeong-hwa is the person who became the first Korean player to win the singles title at last year's tournament in Rome, Italy.

Two years ago, Bang Jeong-hwa was the winner in the women's singles 50–54 age category at the ITTF Masters World Table Tennis Championships held in Rome, Italy. Recalling that time, Bang Jeong-hwa said, "It was truly fun. Both the semi-finals and the final went to a deuce at 2-2. The opponent was an Italian player, so the cheering was enormous. 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 competed as a player at Busan Girls' High School and the corporate team Jeil Movic. He retired from his playing career in 1993 at the age of 24. About five years after getting married, around the age of 30, he returned to table tennis. Bang Jeong-hwa began giving lessons at a table tennis hall operated by someone else and opened "Bang Jeong-hwa Table Tennis Class" in his own name in December 2003. Since then, for over 20 years, he has been running the hall and participating in life sports alongside table tennis.

Bang Jeong-hwa stated, "It is good to see members enjoying their exercise. It is also good to see them happy as their skills improve. Since there is no pressure like during the elite days, they can enjoy it more healthily. Seeing such scenes gives me a sense of fulfillment."

Despite a busy schedule, he consistently participated in tournaments. Naturally, starting with a third-place finish in the 40s category at the 2012 Stockholm, Sweden tournament, he achieved results including a quarterfinals appearance in the 45th–49 age category at the 2016 Elche, Spain tournament, and ultimately winning the 50th–54 age category at the Rome tournament two years ago.

In Rome, he also placed third in the women's doubles alongside his younger sister, Bang Jeong-sook. Bang Jeong-hwa explained, "Masters tournaments are great because you can meet people from many countries. The matches themselves are enjoyable, and there is great fun in meeting people. For those who play life sports, it is truly a meaningful tournament."

For him, the Masters World Championships is not just a stage for competition. He holds a stronger perception that it is a place for mutual understanding and exchange through table tennis. This Gangneung tournament is even more special in that sense. Since it is being held domestically rather than abroad, he can approach the tournament with a more relaxed mind.

Bang Jeong-hwa said, "I do not feel much pressure. However, since I won the previous tournament, I want to perform well. I am also looking forward to it because many participants are coming from Japan and China." He continued, "Looking at the enthusiasts who decided to participate in the tournament, they are preparing very hard, competing in more matches than ever before. My family has also decided to come to cheer for me. I want to show my best effort and 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 overseas who will visit Korea. Bang Jeong-hwa said, "Since this is a championship match, winning is naturally important. However, rather than 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 the city of Gangneung."

For Bang Jeong-hwa, table tennis is life itself. He said firmly, "In three years, it will have been 50 years since I started playing table tennis. Table tennis has been with me for that long, and it is my life."

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*This content was translated by AI.