ARTICLES – Remembering Zoran Kosanovic by Djuradj “George” Vujcic, Canadian writer and translator.
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Urban Book Circle® (UBC)
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Remembering Zoran Kosanovic
Zoran Kosanovic was a Serbian Canadian table tennis player. He was born in Belgrade, Serbia, Yugoslavia on January 16, 1956 and he emigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1979.
A left-handed all-round player, Kosanovic emphasized physical fitness and footwork in his game. At his peak, he was one of the fittest players in the world excelling both as a sprinter and a long distance runner.
Kosanovic (nicknamed Zoki) represented the Yugoslav national table tennis team in all five World Championships from 1973 (aged only 17) to 1981 and he was a five-time Yugoslav Singles Champion from 1975 to 1979. The Yugoslav team of the 1970s was renowned for its awe-inducing physical training sessions and long hours of footwork drills.
Kosanovic and fellow table tennis legends Anton Stipancic, Milivoj Karakasevic, and Dragutin Surbek were members of the famed team that won the silver medal behind China at the 1975 World Championship and a gold medal at the 1976 European Championship. With his doubles partner Milivoj Karakasevic, Kosanovic reached the European Championship semi-final in 1978. In the Balkan Championships, Kosanovic won eleven titles and at one time he ranked #7 in the world in the ITTF World Ranking.
In 1979, Kosanovic moved to Toronto and he was undefeated in the first few years of his career against all North American competitors. In 1981 and 1983 at the Commonwealth Games, he was a triple silver medalist in Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. At the 1982 US Open, despite terrible back pain that he suffered the day before, Kosanovic defeated Mikael Appelgren of Sweden by a score of 21-19 in the 5th and deciding set to win the title. At the 1983 World Championship in Tokyo, he represented Canada as well. He was the Canadian Champion five times and the North American Champion several times, mainly in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
After retiring as a player, Kosanovic remained physically fit and active in sports. He continued to regularly play soccer, squash, tennis and golf. He began coaching and coached teams such as the Canadian Maccabiah, coaching at the Maccabiah Games every four years, winning two bronze medals and one silver medal. From 1994 to 1998, he ran the soccer and table tennis programs at the all-boys private school Upper Canada College.
On February 4, 1998, Kosanovic, aged 42, collapsed suddenly from a massive heart attack while taking part in a recreational soccer match at The Hangar sports complex in Toronto. When the ambulance arrived, Kosanovic was briefly revived but collapsed again and, tragically, was pronounced dead. Kosanovic was interred at Toronto’s York Cemetery (Section 28, Lot 1145) on February 9, 1998. He was survived by his wife, son and daughter.
In March 1998, an annual soccer tournament held in Downsview Park was initiated by the Serbian White Eagles Football Club. Kosanovic, who dominated North American table tennis for several years, will be remembered not only as one of the greatest players of all time but also as a wonderful person and friend.
May God rest his soul!
A left-handed all-round player, Kosanovic emphasized physical fitness and footwork in his game. At his peak, he was one of the fittest players in the world excelling both as a sprinter and a long distance runner.
Kosanovic (nicknamed Zoki) represented the Yugoslav national table tennis team in all five World Championships from 1973 (aged only 17) to 1981 and he was a five-time Yugoslav Singles Champion from 1975 to 1979. The Yugoslav team of the 1970s was renowned for its awe-inducing physical training sessions and long hours of footwork drills.
Kosanovic and fellow table tennis legends Anton Stipancic, Milivoj Karakasevic, and Dragutin Surbek were members of the famed team that won the silver medal behind China at the 1975 World Championship and a gold medal at the 1976 European Championship. With his doubles partner Milivoj Karakasevic, Kosanovic reached the European Championship semi-final in 1978. In the Balkan Championships, Kosanovic won eleven titles and at one time he ranked #7 in the world in the ITTF World Ranking.
In 1979, Kosanovic moved to Toronto and he was undefeated in the first few years of his career against all North American competitors. In 1981 and 1983 at the Commonwealth Games, he was a triple silver medalist in Singles, Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. At the 1982 US Open, despite terrible back pain that he suffered the day before, Kosanovic defeated Mikael Appelgren of Sweden by a score of 21-19 in the 5th and deciding set to win the title. At the 1983 World Championship in Tokyo, he represented Canada as well. He was the Canadian Champion five times and the North American Champion several times, mainly in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
After retiring as a player, Kosanovic remained physically fit and active in sports. He continued to regularly play soccer, squash, tennis and golf. He began coaching and coached teams such as the Canadian Maccabiah, coaching at the Maccabiah Games every four years, winning two bronze medals and one silver medal. From 1994 to 1998, he ran the soccer and table tennis programs at the all-boys private school Upper Canada College.
On February 4, 1998, Kosanovic, aged 42, collapsed suddenly from a massive heart attack while taking part in a recreational soccer match at The Hangar sports complex in Toronto. When the ambulance arrived, Kosanovic was briefly revived but collapsed again and, tragically, was pronounced dead. Kosanovic was interred at Toronto’s York Cemetery (Section 28, Lot 1145) on February 9, 1998. He was survived by his wife, son and daughter.
In March 1998, an annual soccer tournament held in Downsview Park was initiated by the Serbian White Eagles Football Club. Kosanovic, who dominated North American table tennis for several years, will be remembered not only as one of the greatest players of all time but also as a wonderful person and friend.
May God rest his soul!
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Remembering Zoran Kosanovic
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Last updated on July 13, 2021.
Published by Urban Book Circle on October 11, 2020 Urban Book Circle® (UBC) |
· Edited by Djuradj “George” Vujcic, Danijela Kovacevic Mikic and Prvoslav “Pearse” Vujcic ·
· Design & Artwork by Prvoslav “Pearse” Vujcic and Djuradj “George” Vujcic ·
· Illustrated by Jefimija “Mia” Vujcic ·
All rights reserved. Copyright © Urban Book Circle®
· Design & Artwork by Prvoslav “Pearse” Vujcic and Djuradj “George” Vujcic ·
· Illustrated by Jefimija “Mia” Vujcic ·
All rights reserved. Copyright © Urban Book Circle®
