OOAK Table Tennis Forum

Marty Reisman was an amazing athlete & quite possibly one of the most charismatic personalities in any sport that ever lived. But he used his loss at Bombay (now Mumbai) to Satoh in 1952 (first time sponge was used) as the excuse for his failures at 3 or 4 World Championships before & after Bombay & has conned a whole generation of players By his own admission he was a sort of con artist hustler (not in a criminal way...though he also openly admitted he was a gold smuggler) though I strongly support betting and gambling in tabletennis though I myself have never placed bets or gambled in a casino etc.

Marty Raisman's legacy in table tennis is undoubtedly an iconic one, marked by his outstanding athleticism and unrivaled charisma. However, it is important to acknowledge the complexities of his career. While his defeat to Sato in Bombay in 1952, the era in which the sponge was first introduced, undoubtedly affected him, it is also true that Raisman sometimes used it as an explanation for subsequent disappointments on the world stage.

Moreover, Raisman's candid admissions about his identity as a hustler beyond table tennis add even more detail to his story. Although he was not involved in criminal activity, his tendency to be fussy, coupled with his openness to the fact that he was a gold smuggler, contributed to a more nuanced understanding of his character.

It's worth noting Raisman's influence on an entire generation of players, albeit with some concerns. His larger-than-life personality and undeniable talent left an indelible mark on the sport. Additionally, when promoting betting and gambling in table tennis, it is important to maintain integrity and ensure fair play - principles that go beyond individual heritage.

Marty's paddle should be in a museum, along with photos of him, and a list of his accomplishments.