The Yukon Table Tennis Championships saw a flurry of new faces overtake the long-held top spots in the singles this past weekend.

According to the Whitehorse Table Tennis Club's Dave Stockdale the most exciting event of the weekend was the men's singles final, where new-comer Ryan Bachli ousted former champion Kevin Murphy.

"The men's final match was just incredible,” Stockdale said.

The two opponents decided before hand that they would play to a best of seven games, instead of the usual five.

The seven games flipped back and forth, with neither holding the lead by more than one. In the final game, 18-year-old Bachli managed to come back from a 10 point deficit for the win.

"He's the best technical player in the Yukon,” Stockdale said of Bachli.

All wins except for two in each of the seven games were earned with a lead of only two points. Murphy, 52, was the reining Yukon champion.

"No one's ever really come up and beaten him,” Stockdale said of Murphy, who conceded his title.

Stockdale said the match was one of the most exciting of the entire tournament.

"To me that was just the highlight of the weekend,” he said.

Taking third was Ken Madsen who downed Malkolm Boothroyd after only three games, 3-0.

Bachli and Murphy teamed up in the men's doubles to win gold over the team of Madsen and Boothroyd as well. Bachli was also the junior singles champion.

Stockdale said the women's singles final also had an upset, with Christiane Nie overtaking former champ Edna Knight.

"That was a little bit of a surprise,” Stockdale said.

Another success of the weekend was the implementation of a new computer system, with help from Ryan Stuart. Stockdale said they were able to print real results that made the tournament look more professional and serious.

"To be able to produce that, it just sets a different tone to the whole tournament,” Stockdale said.

Overall, Stockdale said the tournament was well-organized.

"Everything went really, really well actually,” he said. "It was just excellent.”

The tournament drew 31 players, including a number of novice athletes. Three players from Dawson made the trip, which Stockdale said is a first for the

championships.

"Several new people sort of came out of the woodwork to play,” he said.

Stockdale is encouraged that the turnout might translate to a greater membership in the 2010-2011 season.

"It doesn't take much to make a difference to the club or the tournament,” Stockdale said, who believes this may be the largest turn out the championships have ever seen.

"It was an awesome weekend.”

The tournament was supported by the East/West Health Centre, which allowed the winners to get cash prizes. Stockdale said some of the younger winners were confused at the amount they were given.

"I don't know what they expect to get, a $1,000 cheque or something,” he laughed.

With the new players showing up, Stockdale says he is "thrilled” with the change and development he is seeing in the sport.

But one thing the club still needs, is more female players for next year.

"We're still desperately needing girls to play,” he said.

Even without, the tournament was a success as far as Stockdale is concerned.

"I think everyone went away pretty happy.”

2010 Yukon Table Tennis

Championships results

Open singles

1. Ryan Bachli

2. Kevin Murphy

3. Ken Madsen

4. Malkolm Boothroyd

Open singles consolation A

1. Kamran Idrees

2. Mustafa Syed

3. Alex Zheng

4. Ehsan Idrees

Open singles consolation B

1. Mark Preston

2. Brett Hannigan

3. Angelo Vapheas

4. Zain Syed

Junior singles

1. Ryan Bachli

2. Kamran Idrees

3. Malkolm Boothroyd

4. Mustafa Syed

Adult novice singles

1. Myrna Bruns

2. Jeannie MacCulloch

3. Colleen Clark

4. Meg Walker (Dawson)

Women's singles

1. Christiane Nie

2. Edna Knight

Open doubles

1. Ryan Bachli and Kevin Murphy

2. Ken Madsen and Malkolm Boothroyd

3. Ehsan Idrees and Mustafa Syed

4. Brett Hannigan and Victor Sanchez

Team event

1. Ryan Bachli and Ehsan Idrees

2. Edna Knight and Mustafa Syed

3. Mark Preston and Kamran Idrees

4. Wendy Boothroyd and Kevin Murphy