Marty Reisman

Marty Reisman (1930–2012) was an American table tennis player, author, and showman known for his success in competition and his promotion of the traditional hardbat style.

Marty Reisman (1930–2012) was an American table tennis player, author, and showman known for his success in competition and his promotion of the traditional hardbat style. He won major U.S. titles, including the U.S. Men's Singles Championship twice, and remained active in the sport for decades. Reisman also won the Canadian championship three times, making him notable in Canadian table tennis history as well as in the United States.

Early life and background

Marty Reisman was born in New York City in 1930. He developed his table tennis skills in New York's playing venues and settlement houses. He later became known for a flashy public persona and for describing himself as a hustler.

Competitive career

Reisman became one of the best-known American table tennis competitors of the 20th century. His achievements included two U.S. Men's Singles titles (1958, 1960), a 1997 U.S. Hardbat title, and many other national and international championships. He won 22 major titles over a career spanning from 1946 to 2002. Reisman also won the Canadian championship three times, further extending his impact beyond the United States.

Hardbat advocacy and style

He was a strong advocate of hardbat table tennis, which uses a traditional paddle surface rather than modern sponge rubber. This made him a prominent figure in efforts to preserve and popularize older forms of the sport.

Author and public figure

Reisman also wrote about his life and career, most notably in The Money Player. His reputation combined athletic success with entertainment, showmanship, and a larger-than-life personal style.

Death and legacy

Reisman died on December 7, 2012, in Manhattan from complications related to heart and lung ailments at age 82. He is remembered as an important and influential figure in American table tennis history.