WARNING - Annual off topic ping pong thread!
 

OK, as we all know, the top 12 rated international ping pong (table tennis for you effete snobs) players are:

1) Yi Yong Fan
2) Ilija Lupulesku
3) David Yoong-Xiang Zhuang
4) Ju Gao
5) Han Xiao
6) Mark Hazinski
7) Yinghua Chang
8) XiaoDong (Nick) Wang
9) Hheng Yi Du
10) YanJun Gao
11) Chen Wang
12) Jim Butler (how'd he get in there?)

My money's on XiaoDong (Nick) Wang to move way up early this season. He's really been working on his backhand according to ESPN. What do you guys think?

I think the officials have it in for Nick, and he'll never make it to the top 5 because he doesn't get any calls.
Unless, of course, he gets some momentum going and the officials get caught up in all the emotion.

The Tibetan distraction could play a role here as well. Are any of those above him possible dissidents? Out of sight, out of mind as far as the fickle pollsters are concerned. So, Nick could benefit from that as well. Unless one of his rivals photoshops his presence into Lhasa.

When did Jon Diebler drop out of the rankings?

Diebler had won the last 10 years, exclipsing the previous record by 9. He felt it was time to move on to new challenges. He's playing soccer in England now.

I really hadn't thought about Tibetgate. There is rumor, however, that Nick is client #10.

Does anyone think that officiating has gone down in the last few years? I mean the egos these officials have is just getting out of hand. Someone needs to hold them accountable. The players are held accountable. Why do the officials get a pass on the things they do?

Peace

I have one more question.

Why don't officials get a chance to work both Women's Ping Pong and Men's Ping Pong? Is there some discrimination going on?

Peace

I have noticed it. I've seen some calls that tell me they weren't ready for this level of play.

They're different games altogether. The women's game moves faster and is generally played closer to the net. I haven't seen a men's official yet who can keep up with the ladies.

Diebler is also on the world badminton tour, playing under the name "Drillbit Taylor".

BTW guys - those are the actual top 12 players according to the real world rankings. I looked it up on the Internet so it's twue, it's twue!

http://members.tripod.com/~MKahnFan/lilivs.jpg

Outstanding.........big :D

Remember last year's championship match when Yi Yong Fan won because Ilija Lupulesku got a technical for hanging on the net? Boy - that was a thriller. I still get goosebumps thinking about it.

I rank it right up there with the infamous 1947 Cricket quarterfinal at Nauseous-By-The-Sea when Andy Capp tripped over a sticky wicket and broke his lorry.

Meds, please - and hurry! :eek:

Marky Mark............... how da heck do I post an image???

Like this:
http://docs.voxeo.com/images/tutorials/marky.jpg