Born: 1921
Died: 2006
Biography:
Angelica Rozeanu (née Adelstein) was a Romanian table tennis player of Jewish origin, who is widely regarded as the most successful female table tennis player in the history of the sport. She was born on October 15, 1921, and passed away on February 21, 2006. Rozeanu’s remarkable career spanned several decades and she achieved numerous accolades and records, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
Rozeanu’s journey in table tennis began when she started playing the sport during her recovery from scarlet fever at the age of eight. Her talent quickly emerged, and at the young age of 12, she won the Romanian Cup in 1933. This early success set the stage for her future achievements, as she went on to dominate the Romanian table tennis scene for the next 21 years, from 1936 to 1957, with the exception of the years during World War II.
In 1936, she clinched her first Romanian national championship title and solidified her position as Romania’s female champion for over two decades. Rozeanu’s breakthrough on the international stage came in 1938 when she emerged victorious at the Hungarian Open, signaling her potential as a world-class player. However, her burgeoning career was abruptly interrupted by World War II, during which she was barred from even entering a gymnasium in Romania and was unable to play.
Following the war, Rozeanu resumed her pursuit of excellence in table tennis and achieved extraordinary success. In 1950, she secured her first World Championship title, marking the beginning of an incredible winning streak that lasted for six consecutive years. This remarkable feat has yet to be matched by any other player in the history of the sport. Rozeanu’s dominance over the table tennis world was truly exceptional, and she remains the last non-Asian woman to have won the World Championship. Over the course of her career, she claimed a total of 17 world titles and garnered 12 silver and bronze medals at the World Championships. Additionally, Rozeanu achieved three world women’s doubles titles and three world mixed doubles titles.
Beyond her exceptional achievements on the table tennis court, Rozeanu also played a significant role in the development and promotion of the sport. She served as the President of the Romanian Table Tennis Commission from 1950 to 1960, contributing to the growth of table tennis in her home country.
In 1960, Rozeanu emigrated to Israel, where she continued to excel in table tennis. She won the Women’s Table Tennis Championship at the 1961 Maccabiah Games and emerged as Israel’s champion from 1960 to 1962. Despite moving away, Rozeanu maintained a strong connection to her native Romania and visited her homeland for the last time in 2005.
Angelica Rozeanu’s exceptional talent and dedication to table tennis did not go unnoticed, and she received numerous awards and recognitions throughout her illustrious career. In 1954, she was bestowed with the prestigious title of Merited Master of Sport by the Romanian government. She also received four Order of Work honors for her outstanding contributions to the sport.
Externationally, Rozeanu’s achievements were celebrated as she was inducted into both the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and the ITTF Hall of Fame in 1995, further cementing her status as one of the greatest players in the history of table tennis. Furthermore, in 1997, she was awarded the Knesset Medal in recognition of her tremendous achievements and contributions to sports.
In 2001, Rozeanu was honored with the title of Honorary Citizen of Haifa, a testament to her lasting impact on the sport and her significant presence within the Israeli community. Her contributions to table tennis and her remarkable success have left an enduring legacy, inspiring future generations of players and cementing her place in women’s sporting history.
Awards:
– Merited Master of Sport (Romania, 1954)
– Four Order of Work honors
– Inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame (1981)
– Inducted into the ITTF Hall of Fame (1995)
– Knesset Medal (1997)
– Honorary Citizen of Haifa (2001)