Oh Nam Ho listens to Australian coach Brett Clarke

In an age where it seems that every country in the world has a Chinese born player in their team, Oh Nam Ho from Korea has become the first Korean player to make his debut for another country. His adopted country, Australia, has benefited at these championships with his so far unbeaten run. The Australian men’s team too, unbeaten due in no small part to his contribution.

Nam Ho now 33 played in the Korean junior team in 1991 to 1992. In 1995 at the age of 19, he stopped playing to attend university. From 1998 to 2000 he attended the Korean army which is compulsory for all men after the age of 20. On completing his time in the army he decided to move to Australia in 2000 to study Exercise science at the ACU in Sydney. It was not for another 7 years till Nam Ho played his beloved table tennis again. In that time focusing on study, work and family.

In 2002 he was married to a Korean girl that he met at university and in July of 2003 their first child was born. Enough to keep Nam Ho busy and out of the game.

But in 2007 he felt that he had some more time and would like to get back into Table Tennis and give it another chance. This has led him to making it all the way back to the Australian team and the World Teams Championships. Coming to the event he was the number 4 player in the team but due to an injury to his team mate Robbie Frank early in the tournament Nam Ho got his opportunity, one that he has grabbed with both hands wide open.

Nam Ho has the classical Korean style of great footwork that enables him to use his booming forehand from all parts of the court. Even at 33 years of age his legs still move like the wind. He has been nicknamed by his team mates, the ‘Korean Cannon’. In Korea it is big news with large press coverage. In the Australian team the Cannon is also big news.

Nam Ho is appreciative for being given the opportunity to play on the World stage. Appreciative to his adopted country and also his family for giving him time out to pursue his dream.