Karol Javor Posthumously Inducted into the TTA Hall of Fame

The TTA Hall of Fame recognises outstanding contributions made to table tennis in the fields of playing, coaching, officiating and/or administering the sport. A person may only be inducted to the TTA Hall of Fame by meeting the criteria listed in the TTA Hall of Fame Regulations.

TTA is pleased to announce that Karol Javor has been posthumously inducted into the TTA Hall of Fame (Coaches).

Prior to arriving in Australia from Hungary, Karol coached multiple Hungarian players to win several World Championships titles and medals.

Upon arriving in Australia in 1957 until his passing in 1998, a span of 41 years, Karol was arguably Australia’s most successful and influential coach and his record and legacy is unprecedented.

Karol was coach of the Australian teams for the 1969 World Championships, and at the same event he also had to step in as a player.

Karol coached and managed many Australian teams throughout the 1970’s, with the teams benefitting significantly from his extensive contacts throughout the world.

Within Australia, Karol’s achievements as a coach are remarkable and extensive, with his pupils winning:

• 25 international medals, including 12 gold.
• 49 National Senior Individual titles.
• 48 National Teams titles.
• 116 State Senior Titles.
• 19 National Junior Titles.
• 45 State Junior Titles.

Four of Karol’s pupils went on to represent Australia at senior level, with one going on to be inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, two being inducted into the TTA Hall of Fame and one becoming a TTA Life Member.

Without doubt, Karol’s star pupil was his wife, the legendary Suzy Javor. Suzy is arguably the greatest ever Australian player and certainly the greatest player from her era.

Additionally, Karol coached his son Robbie to be a dual Australian Men’s Singles Champion, win 15 international medals, 2 Oceania titles and 15 National Championship titles.

It is unfathomable to imagine that Suzy and Robbie would have enjoyed their long lists of achievements and accolades without Karol by their side.

Karol’s prominence as a coach is underlined by the fact that written into the Table Tennis Victoria standing orders was a permanent booking for Table 21 at the old Albert Park Centre, where he always coached.

Following Karol’s passing, the Javor Cup was held from 1999-2008, with all the top Australian players at the time competing. The event was held to honour Karol’s memory and contribution to table tennis.

TTA is extremely pleased to posthumously induct Karol into the TTA Hall of Fame, as only the second ever inductee in the Coaches category. This induction further preserves the impact that Karol had on multiple generations of Australian table tennis.

Moreover, this induction is especially significant as it is only the second time that multiple people from the same family have been inducted into the TTA Hall of Fame, with Suzy Javor being inducted in 1996.

Karol is most certainly a very worthy inductee.

To view Karol's complete career record, please click here.

NOTE: TTA thanks Mary Le Gassick (TTA Hall of Fame Member), Steve Knapp (TTA Hall of Fame Member and TTA Life Member) and Bob Tuckett (TTA Hall of Fame Member and TTA Life Member) for nominating Karol for the TTA Hall of Fame and for collating Karol’s extensive career records.