A hush fell over the crowd as service began. Peter Kim, a Korean doctoral student, and Zack Seal, son of Dr. Tim Seal and MABTS maintenance worker, had weathered the storm of intense competition as they made their way through the tournament bracket, finally arriving here. To the championship match. A crowd had gathered after chapel to see these two ping-pong powerhouses square off in a championship series that will certainly be remembered for years to come.
Kim and Seal approach the court with two very distinct styles. Kim cuts and spins the ball causing his opponents into the net or off the table. If Kim is placing the ball the way he wants, it would take a superb performance to match him.
Seal, on the other hand, brings the heat. Most players have to wait for a floater before they are able to plaster the ball to the other player’s forehead. Not Zack. His lightening fast backhand will end a point quicker than you can blink.
The championship was a best of five series with Seal taking the first and Kim winning three consecutive. The series culminated with a dramatic comeback by Kim to win the championship.
Hats off to both Kim and Seal for an entertaining and exciting series.
