TABLE TENNIS coach Hans Soova is celebrating an astonishing 'gold medal' performance.
Hans, who arrived in the UK as a penniless refugee from Estonia after the war, recently watched eleven-year-old Mary Fuller win gold in the Under-12 girls singles title at the English National Table Tennis Championship.
The medal was the 50th national 'gold' medal to be won by players Hans has coached. Several went on to win European, Commonwealth and national titles.
Hans dedicated the '50th gold' to his wife, Christine, who suffered from cancer and died earlier this year.
"She encouraged me to take up coaching over 40 years ago and has been the inspiration behind my many years of coaching at local and county level.
"It has been wonderful to see another local youngster achieve national honours. Mary has worked really hard to reach this standard and her success has been a real boost for me following the death of my wife," he said.
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