Before the heat of battle on the last day of the British League Premier Division season, a minute’s silence took place in memory of Trinidad & Tobago international Dexter St Louis.
Dexter, who died last week at the age of just 51, played for London Academy in the league over a number of seasons.
Players and officials at the title decider between Ormesby TTC and Urban TTC paused to honour his memory before their match, as did those at the Drumchapel v Ormeau fixture.
A double Olympian – he played at Atlanta 1996 and Beijing 2008 – Dexter also competed at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
It was the first time table tennis had been included at the Games and the first match pitted Trinidad & Tobago against England. It finished 3-2 to eventual gold medallists England as Dexter defeated both Terry Young and Andrew Baggaley to put his country’s points on the board.
More recently, he competed at the 2018 edition of the Commonwealths in Gold Coast, Australia. He also appeared at the World Championships, and in 2013 he and doubles partner Anthony Corbin, also representing Trinidad & Tobago, came up against Liam Pitchford & Sam Walker, going down to a narrow 3-2 (12-14, 11-4, 13-11, 8-11, 11-6) defeat.
Dexter died in Bordeaux, where he had been based since the early 90s, after a short illness. His friend and team-mate Corbin, who had known him since 1985 and who also represented London Academy, said: “It’s a hard one to take. It’s a shock to everyone – only a few people knew he was ill.
“He was a nice guy and quite a relaxed sort of player who played within the bounds of the game and didn’t show his opponent much.
“He was very quick and had a quick up-close game and although he was past his prime, he always tried to keep up as the game got faster.
“His two wins against England at the Commonwealth Games were up there with his best achievements.”