The Edmonton Open table tennis tournament is one of the city’s longest standing events. The Open has been contested since 1939 and was celebrating its 60th anniversary when it was played over the weekend.

Around 100 players competing in the Open from across the country, including four players from the Yukon. It had been four years since the Yukon team has gone.

All four Yukon table tennis players were on the Canada Winter Games team which travelled to Red Deer, Alta. last February. They are also future candidates for the 2020 Arctic Winter Games team.

Head coach Kevin Murphy said it was a good tournament to get the Yukon players some more reps and competition. Three of the players earned medals in the Novice divisions.

Krish Sharma earned gold in the A category. Jacob Tucker also won gold in the C class who defeated fellow teammate Ming Huang.

Raghvi Sharma and brother Krish were the two Yukon players in the higher-rated event Under 600, to advance past their groups and make it into the single knockout round but were unable to keep up their winning ways.

Raghvi, the highest-rated player for the Yukon, was the only entrant in the Open class.

Murphy said she did get out of her group but lost her next two matches in close-fought games and did not advance further.

Throughout the Edmonton Open, Murphy said the players all had fun while adapting to challenges. One such challenge faced was the long pips (pimple) paddle some of their opponents were using.

Murphy said a long pips racket is old fashioned and has long rubber, like blades of grass. When using such a paddle, it reverses the spin of the ball, a forehand has backspin, a backhand top-spin.

"It makes opponents tougher to play," said Murphy. "The players are used to a certain result when the ball is hit. It is difficult for players and it's tough to coach. It's an eye-opening experience."

The long pips paddle, Murphy explained, is not often used by younger players.

"A lot of time it's the older players who aren't as quick or agile seeking an advantage," said Murphy.

Raghvi played a 70-year-old in the open division using the racket.

The table tennis season kicks off Wednesday and Murphy said it was good to get the players out to an early tournament.

"You run into the problem that players play each other so often," said Murphy. "We want them to have new challenges. There is nothing like a game situation. This was a successful, good way to kick off the new year."

With everyone excited and eager to get back to training, Murphy had the team to do some goal setting.

"I asked them to reflect on their games so I can personalize their training program," said Murphy. "Some things were similar but others asked for more specifics like footwork and the mental side."

Trials for the 2020 Arctic Winter Games, hosted in Whitehorse, will be held in November.

Murphy said he wants the kids playing in as many games as possible and will potentially look for another Outside tournament.