 JOOLA's Trevor Runyan
Age/DOB: 19/Oct. 30, 1988
Home Club: Concord Table Tennis Club/Palo Alto Table Tennis Club
Equipment
Racket: JOOLA Fever
Forehand sponge: Mambo H Max
Backhand sponge: Mambo H Max
Shoes: JOOLA Bend
What are your best titles or rankings? - North American Championships U-18 Finalist.
- China Junior World Circuit, 5th place in Teams.
- Four-time National Junior Team Member
- U-22 Junior Olympic Champion
- Former #1 U-16 Boys
- 2006 US Open U-2400 champion
- 2006 US Open Under 18 3rd place
- 2007 National Hardbat Champion
- A 7-1 record in the first half of the league season playing for TTC Zugbrücke in Germany
When and how did you start playing?
I started playing when I was eight years old, at the Concord Table Tennis Club. My dad saw an article in the newspaper about the local club excelling at the recent Junior Olympics. I started playing once a week. I was playing many other sports at the time. Eventually something about the sport pulled me in, and I've been playing ever since. Describe your playing style.
Mid-distance double-winged looper. Who are your coaches (past or present)? Who do you practice with?
Currently my coaches are Dennis Davis and Stefan Feth. In Germany, Chen Zhibin is the team coach and his coaching is very accurate. My first coach was Bill Lui, who introduced me to the sport and took me to my first tournaments. I've also received a lot of help from Dennis Yi, Masaaki Tajima, Mark Nordby, Dan Seemiller Michael Hyatt and Attila Malek. In the U.S., I practice with Freddie Gabriel, Jim Runyan (my father), Jackie Lee, James Guo and Stefan Feth. In Germany, my practice partners are John Leach, Frantisek Placek, Dennis Müller and Mattis Burgis. What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on improving my footwork, service and service receive. If I can get in good position, I can execute my shots and be ready for the next ball. Service receive in Europe is especially important as the players there are a lot more versatile, and do not make easy mistakes. I have been working on my conditioning and doing a lot of footwork drills to increase my foot speed. What are your table tennis goals – short-, intermediate- and long-term?
My short-term goal is to win our league match in May to move up to the second Bundesliga, and to win the Under 21 event at the U.S. Open. Long-term, the Olympic team in 2008 or 2012. In the meantime, my eyes are set on making the National Team in the upcoming years. What are your interests outside table tennis?
Outside of Table Tennis, I like to lift weights and keep in shape. I also enjoy playing the trumpet and listening to music. Numerous times I have played Bundesliga matches for Grenzau (our team) and I can't say I don't like blasting my trumpet in the other team's ears. In the States, I like to spend time outdoors Mountain Biking, Backpacking or camping. I am very interested in Environmental Science and plan on majoring in it. Tell us something really interesting about yourself.
I have two cats, two dogs, two birds and, last of all, two sisters. I guess two is the magic number in my family, making me the odd guy out. I'd like to thank a lot of people and organizations for allowing me to be where I am today. First of all, my parents for always supporting me and believing in me. Table Tennis is definitely an expensive sport with lessons, tournaments, equipment and traveling. I am very grateful for all their sacrifices. USATT has given me entry to almost every continent and priceless experience on the international scene. Stefan Feth gave me the opportunity of a lifetime through his connections with the Grenzau TTC. I'd also like to thank Marnfred Gstettner (Grenzau TT Manager) for allowing us to play for his team. Dennis Davis has spent countless hours working with me and never hesitates to help me. Last but definitely not least, JOOLA for supporting me with all my equipment needs. JOOLA has allowed me to play my best and I know I can always count on their equipment. |
