Few can turn up to practise for a sport and walk away with a Manawatu Open title. But for Wanganui's Shane Wilson it seems he hasn't lost the knack for table tennis, a sport from which he once earned a living.
He took out the Manawatu Open table tennis championship last weekend, after about 15 years out of the competitive arena. "I just thought I'd go along for a bit of practice and get my eye in."
The former professional beat former New Zealand representative and current New Zealand No.12 (previously No.3) Ryan Zhu in the final.
Wilson, 46, won the over-30 singles and with club mate Dave Rowan, the over-30 doubles.
Wilson decided to return to competition for the World Veterans table tennis which was held in Auckland in May. The tournament brought together 1800 players from around the world and Wilson finished in the top 64.