Albany table tennis star Peter Muller shines at National Championships in Darwin

Albany table tennis stalwart Peter Muller returned from the 2022 National Veterans Table Tennis Championships with three medals after superb performances in three divisions in Darwin last month.

Muller won silver in the over-75s men’s doubles, and bronze in the over-80s men’s and over-80s mixed-doubles divisions.

Just three days before the event, Muller was uncertain if he would have a partner for the over-75s competition, before NSW player Hans Wetsteyn joined him.

“I put my name down as ‘partner required’ and it didn’t look like I was going to get someone but a guy from NSW had a partner who sadly passed away,” he said.

“He was left without a partner and I was still without one too so they stuck us together and we just clicked. It was unbelievable.

“I’d never seen the man before and never really had any contact with him but we put out the No.2 and No.3 seed and then played the No.1 seed in the final.

“Getting through to the final was quite a shock to everyone, including us.”

Muller and Wetsteyn defeated Werner Borkhardt (QLD) and Colin Gradwell (QLD) in their first match before pushing past Alan Bruhn (QLD) and Ken Hay (QLD) in the semifinals.

The unlikely pair were on the cusp of victory but were narrowly defeated by Mick Wright (VIC) and Harry Bligh (QLD) in the final.

Muller also partnered with WA’s Gordon Lee to finish with a bronze medal in the over-80s men’s doubles tournament, and partnered with Roma James for bronze in the over-80s mixed doubles.

“I enjoyed it, it was great to catch up with people you haven’t seen in many years, and you really make friends from all over Australia,” Muller said.

“I’ve been in table tennis clubs for 50 years. I ran a club in Carlisle for 22 years before I came to Albany and helped resurrect that club.

“I was president and coach for the last 28 years down there but then last year I told them that I wouldn’t be continuing.

“After 50 years I think it’s just about time to look after myself a bit more.”