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Meet Britain's oldest ping pong player who plays 14 games a week aged 92

Britain’s oldest ping pong player is still batting off the competition at the age of 92.

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Retired toolmaker Ivan Pedley, from Walsall, plays table tennis twice a week and says he has no plans to retire from the game he loves. 

The grandad-of-three first took up the paddle sport as a 14-year-old boy in 1947 and is still going strong 78 years on.

Ivan Pedley at Great Wyrley Table Tennis Club. Photo: Anita Maric/SWNS
Ivan Pedley at Great Wyrley Table Tennis Club. Photo: Anita Maric/SWNS

Ivan plays around 14 games a week at Great Wyrley Table Tennis Club - often against much younger opponents.

Ivan Pedley at Great Wyrley Table Tennis Club. Photo: Anita Maric/SWNS
Ivan Pedley at Great Wyrley Table Tennis Club. Photo: Anita Maric/SWNS

And he says that although he may have slowed down in his old age he rarely gets knocked off the table and the trick is 'all in the technique'.

Great Wyrley Table Tennis Club. Photo: Anita Maric/SWNS
Great Wyrley Table Tennis Club. Photo: Anita Maric/SWNS

Ivan says the sport helps him stay fit and healthy, and playing into old age is one of the best things he’s ever done.

Ivan Pedley. Photo: Anita Maric/SWNS
Ivan Pedley. Photo: Anita Maric/SWNS

Ivan said: "I enjoy every minute of it. I’ll keep going for as long as I can, as long as my health stays. Sitting on your backside is no help to anyone. 

“It’s such a well-organised club. They do help me with my game and I appreciate it. They are a wonderful crowd of people, second to none."

Ivan Pedley at Great Wyrley Table Tennis Club. Photo: Anita Maric/SWNS
Ivan Pedley at Great Wyrley Table Tennis Club. Photo: Anita Maric/SWNS

Club secretary Tony Reeds, 84, said: “He’ll always put his heart into it. Anyone we get here he plays, He loves it.

"He’s part of the furniture now. He tells people if you want to keep fit, this is the way to do it.”

Great Wyrley Table Tennis Club. Photo: Anita Maric/SWNS
Great Wyrley Table Tennis Club. Photo: Anita Maric/SWNS

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