THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN TO COMPETE AT AN OLYMPIC GAMES IN TABLE TENNIS

Table tennis has been an Olympic sport since 1988, with four event categories. From 1988 until 2004, these were men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles and women's doubles. Since 2008, a team event has been played instead of the doubles. 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, which was postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19, has added the mixed doubles event for the first time.

Gary Haberl from Table Tennis New South Wales was the first Australian to compete in the Olympic Games for table tennis. He competed in the men's singles event at the 1988 Seoul Summer Olympics when table tennis became an Olympic sport for the first time.

As the pioneering table tennis champion, Gary Haberl, in 1977 at just 14 years of age began winning national age, singles and doubles titles. He holds a total of 30 national titles and represented Australia on 105 occasions. These representations include the World Championships, World Cup, Commonwealth Championships and Seoul Olympics.

Gary Haberl competed in the 6th Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships in Bombay, India (now called Mumbai) when a 16 year of old at Bombay.

Throughout the 1980’s, Haberl won more than 10 National titles in individual events including five Men’s Singles crowns and was also part of numerous NSW Men’s Team titles. On the international stage, Haberl recorded some marvelous victories including against top Japanese players and in his Trans-Tasman battles with New Zealand .

On the court, Haberl was a tenacious fighter and a fierce competitor. He’d do everything in his power to ensure he got the ball back over the net. An attacking player, playing with anti rubber on one side and smooth rubber on the other, he was highly skilled in the art of twiddling his racket mid-point which caused his opponents no end of grief.

As a five-time Oceania Champion, Haberl retired prematurely in 1989 at age 24 after more than 200 matches for his country. He was a 21-time Australian Champion who won five Australian singles titles, and also helped New South Wales to several men’s team titles. Haberl was unbeaten in the final three years of his career against all other Australians.

Although Haberl retired from competing at the highest level at a relatively young age, his impact on table tennis in Australia was substantial. He was a highly respected competitor and will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

Vice President of TTNSW, Ted Davis said: “As one of the greatest ever Australian table tennis player, Gary Haberl was, until Michelle Bromley’s selection for Tokyo, the only New South Wales born and grown Olympian in Australian table tennis history. His contribution to our sport and to our country is respected and remembered forever, especially just before 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.”

The journey and achievements of Gary Haberl are summarized as but not limited to:

1 x World Cup: 1987.

1 x Olympic Games: 1988.

3 x World Championships: 1983, 1985, 1987.

3 x Commonwealth Championships: 1982, 1983, 1985.

3 x Asian Championships: 1982, 1986, 1988.

2 x Oceania Championships: 1982, 1986.

72 Teams Matches: 96-63 win/loss record

5 x Oceania Titles:  Oceania Championships: 2 x Teams - 1982, 1986. New Zealand Open: 1 x Singles - 1983; 1 x Doubles - 1985; 1 x Mixed - 1983.

21 National Titles: Australian Open: 2 Singles - 1983, 1989; 3 Doubles - 1982, 1983, 1985; 3 Mixed Doubles- 1982, 1986, 1989. Australian Closed: 3 Singles - 1986, 1987, 1989; 3 Doubles - 1987, 1988, 1989; 2 Mixed Doubles- 1987, 1988. 5 National Teams Championships: 1981, 1982, 1986, 1987, 1988.

TTA Hall of Fame Induction - Athletes - Open: 2008.