From ‘whiff-whaff’ to the Table Tennis World Championships – photo essay

Global game celebrates centenary event in London as players of all ages showcase their skill, style and speed

“Table tennis is very good for the mind as well as the body, whatever age you are,” says 73-year-old Wang Qi, the oldest competitor at the Table Tennis Team World Championships in London.

Incredibly the Fiji player, who hails from China, is 61 years older than the youngest player, Enya Hu, from Switzerland. Age is evidently no barrier in this increasingly popular sport.

Dimitrije Levajac of Serbia plays a defensive shot in his victory over Luka Mladenovic of Luxembourg in the early round robin stages at the Copper Box Arena.