BERGMANN, Richard (AUT/ENG)
Born: 10/04/1919 in Vienna/AUT
Deceased: 05/04/1970 in London/ENG.
In 1938 he fled to England and became British national.
ITTF Hall of Fame: Induction 1993
International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame: Induction 1982
The global traveller, he played in 108 countries and in every continent. Noted for his defensive skills, he displayed outstanding footwork and was very much an ambassador for table tennis; he was totally dedicated and insisted he was a great sportsman in a great sport. He made his own rackets, the blade slightly larger than usual, the handle slightly thicker. He opposed the use of sponge.
Achievements:
World Championships / Competitor for Austria:
1936 World Champion in Men’s Teams
1937 World Champion in Men’s Singles
World Championships / Competitor for England:
1939 World Champion in Men’s Singles and Men’s Doubles (with Victor Barna/ENG)
1948 World Champion in Men’s Singles
1950 World Champion In Men’s Singles
1953 World Champion in Men’s Teams
International Championships:
1st place in Men’s Singles:
Austria: 1936/1937/1949
Czechoslovakia: 1930
England: 1939/1940/1948/1950/1952/1954
France: 1946/1949/1950/1952
Netherlands: 1949/1952
Wales: 1948/1949
Yugoslavia: 1952
Austrian Teams Championships:
1st place with VINDOBONA in 1935
Best ranking:
ITTF: 1st place 1950