Table Tennis New Zealand has just been advised of the passing of Bob Jackson on 22nd January 2023 aged 91.

Bob was inducted into the TTNZ Hall of Fame in 1999 for his contribution to our sport. 

Though popular enough with those who knew him, Bob presented a dour image on the table. He displayed phenomenal anticipation with a near perfect temperament. His total dedication to winning every point made him virtually unbeatable for several years after he began using thick grey Dolinar sponge on the forehand and black sponge on the backhand.

As a 19 year old in 1950 he won the NZ Open and North Island Singles titles.

In 1954 he was in the first officially selected New Zealand Men’s team to compete at the World Championships 1969 1956 saw him win the Australian Open Men's singles, the first New Zealander to do so - going through the matches without losing a game. He also won the Men’s Doubles with an Australian partner.

In 1957 he defeated both Toshiaki Tanaka (World Champion) and Ichiro Ogimura (World number 2) during the Japanese tour of NZ.

The “Player of the Year” award was introduced in 1955. Bob Jackson was the inaugural winner and he won it again in 1956 and 1958.

National Titles:

New Zealand Open Men's Singles -  1950, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58

Men's Doubles - 1953, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59 Mixed Doubles - 1954, 55, 56, 57

Under 18 Boys' Singles - 1949

North Island Open Men's Singles - 1950, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58

Men's Doubles - 1950, 51, 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58

Mixed Doubles - 1953, 54, 55

South Island Open Men's Singles - 1955

Men's Doubles - 1955 

Article added: Monday 30 January 2023 - credit to Robin Radford who produced the TTNZ Hall of Fame 2014 booklet with editing by John Kiley

Bob took up Croquet in later years, excelling in this sport with numerous NZ and world titles.