There was success for both English players who took part in the second PingPongParkinson French Open in Le Mans. In a total field of more than 80 players from 10 countries, Nigel Tarling (Brighton TTC) and Rob Cook (Leeds ParkyPING!/Community TTC) each won a men’s doubles silver in their respective classes, with scratch pairings.

Tarling, playing with Henry Duerr (Germany) in C3, went down in a tight final to French pair Gallon & Lacassagne.

Cook (pictured above), with Merko Tigellaar (Netherlands) had a straightforward run to the final before losing 3-1 to powerful Spanish pair Alonso & Lobarinas, in a match which hinged on a few key points.

Tarling was a semi-finalist in the C2 singles, Consolation/plate, while Cook performed well in his C2 singles group, but then lost agonisingly 3-2 to Wilco Jupil (France) having recovered from 0-2, and from 3-10 to 8-10 in the fifth.

The event offered a fantastic opportunity for players living with Parkinson’s to meet old friends and make new ones, in this growing, active community.

Table tennis is recognised as one of the best forms of exercise to slow down the symptoms of degenerative condition Parkinson’s, which has no cure.

See Parkinson’s England Table Tennis website if you would like to find out more about local Parkinson’s table tennis groups, and about tournaments and events in the UK and internationally.