Ping Pong: Never too old for gold is a 2012 British documentary film that follows 8 pensioners from around the world as they train for and compete in the world over 80's table tennis championships in Inner Mongolia.
8 players with 703 years between them compete in the World over 80s Table Tennis Championships in Inner Mongolia. Terry (81) having been given a week to live, gets in sight of winning gold. Inge (89) has used table tennis to train her way out of the dementia ward she committed herself to. Australian legend Dorothy deLow is 100, and finds herself a mega celebrity in this rarefied world and Texan Lisa Modlich, a new-comer at 85 years old, is determined to do whatever it takes to win her first gold. This film is as much about the tenacity of the human spirit as it is a meditation on mortality…
Ping Pong Reviews
“This is not a film about ping pong; this is a film about living in the moment and not being afraid of your own mortality, and it puts anyone who’s ever complained about a sore joint to shame. Following eight pensioners to China on their quest to compete in the Over 80s Table Tennis Championships, we are privileged to meet players including seven-time champion Les, who at 89 still lifts weights, Inge, whose discovery of ping pong cured her dementia, and Dorothy, whose passion aged 101 could well be keeping her alive. Delightful, hilarious and completely inspirational.” 4/5 Empire
“Hold on to your popcorn, it’s a documentary about the 80+ Table Tennis Championships.“It’s interesting if you know the people playing,” says one geriatric WAG, and she’s not wrong. There’s Les, the pec-popping pensioner from Wakefield, Sun, the chain-smoking Chinaman, Dot the 100-year-old Aussie and Lisa, the feisty ex-French Resistance fighter. An unabashed crowd-pleaser, Hugh Hartford’s table-top portrait avoids patronising its aged subjects, bouncing between sweetly satirical and sincerely moving. Given the theme, it’s only a shame it doesn’t last a bit longer.” Total Film
“..As rousing and effective as 2007’s excellent Young at Heart, but a lot lighter in tone, Ping Pong is a Must See for lovers of that doc. Everything about this film will make you want to stand up and cheer and even after repeat viewings the films stands as one the best Documentaries of the year. Ping Pong is an absolute recommend.” 4/5 Examiner.com