At a time when Pakistan’s athletes and teams were among the finest in the region, if not the world, the name Michael Rodrigues stood out in table tennis. He was unbeatable at his peak performance. Now 83, he still loves sports, travels the world, and lives a retired life in San Diego, USA.

At the age of 19 years, he won his first men’s singles championship title in 1960 and retained it for the next two years, 1961 and 1962. Earlier, Michael was the national junior champion for three consecutive years in 1957, 1958 and 1959.

His dedication, skill, and indomitable spirit made him a beacon of excellence, inspiring many young athletes and future champions of the country. Michael’s rise to prominence in a period of intense competition and high athletic standards underscored his exceptional talent and tenacity, cementing his legacy as one of Pakistan’s all-time table tennis supremos.

Michael recalls some of his contemporaries who took part in the national competitions. Among the men were Altaf Ali, Shameem Haroon, Essa Mohammad, Farooq Zaman, Mazhar Qureshi, Shamsul Haq, Azhar Fasih, Jaffer Kirman, Mohammad Ayub, and Abdus Samad. Among the women were Sayeeda Sultana-Basil, Munira Fikree-Gulzar, Rukia Fikree, Fauzia Khan, Maimoona Tahirbhoy and Alzira DeSa.

In those days, Karachi was a city enamored with sports. Sports were a passion among the city’s young people, much before the advent of cell phones and social media.

The city produced some of Pakistan’s most illustrious athletes. From the legendary Mohammad brothers in cricket to the hockey stalwarts of Olympic fame, from the renowned Bholu brothers to sprinter John Permal, and the billiards & snooker champs, Karachi was a breeding ground for the best of the best.

Michael Rodrigues, hailing from the sporting cradle of the famous St. Patrick’s School, epitomised this legacy of excellence. His focus on his life’s goals was unwavering, excelling not only in sports but also as a brilliant student. While he played and won championships in table tennis, he also dedicated his time to becoming a doctor, following in the footsteps of his illustrious father, Dr Bonnie Rodrigues, one of the most well-known doctors of Karachi.

Michael obtained his MBBS from Dow Medical College, now a university, in 1964, completed a year of peadiatric surgical internship at JPMC in 1965, and in July 1966 proceeded to the US on a Fulbright Scholarship to specialise in surgery at the New York Fordham University Hospital. He successfully cleared the American Board of Surgery Exams (FACS) in 1972 in his first attempt.

After joining a surgical group to gain experience, Dr Michael Rodrigues moved to San Diego, CA., the same year and practised General Surgery and Laparoscopic Surgery, Peripheral Vascular & Oncology (Cancer) Surgery.

His story is one of relentless dedication, balancing his passion for sports with his academic and professional aspirations, leaving an indelible mark on both fields.

Michael’s competitive years in Karachi, spanning from 1957 to 1962, marked an era of unparalleled dominance in the sport. During this period, he remained unbeaten in both his junior and senior years, a testament to his relentless pursuit of perfection and his unparalleled mastery of the game. He represented Pakistan internationally with distinction.

Michael Rodrigues was the captain of the Pakistan TT team at the Asian TT Championships in Bombay (Mumbai, India) in 1960; the Southeast Asian Tour in 1962 and the World TT Championships in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia, in April 1965. He also toured Iran and Iraq in August 1960 with the Islamia Club of Karachi. His performance in all the international tournaments was at par with the top players of his time.

“In 1960 when I toured Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to compete in an international championship, I won the men’s singles trophy, winning all matches, without losing a set!” he recalls.

Another of his splendid feats for Pakistan came at the 25th World TT Championships in Yugoslavia (now called Serbia and Montenegro) in 1965 when the country’s formidable squad comprising Michael Rodrigues, Mohd Ayub, Mazhar Qureshi, and Farooq Zaman, defeated Scotland and Canada in all four team event matches.

Michael’s name became synonymous with table tennis excellence in Pakistan as he consistently outplayed his opponents, securing victory after victory in national championship events. Michael’s unique unbroken winning streak (consecutive junior and senior titles) remains a Pakistan record. His strategic acumen on the table earned him not only titles but also the admiration and respect of fans and fellow athletes. He was a good sportsman, respecting all who played during his time, winning with grace, and being magnanimous in defeats.

Beyond his impressive record, Michael’s impact on table tennis in Pakistan was profound. He not only set new benchmarks for success but also elevated the sport’s profile within the country and internationally. His achievements inspired a generation of players to pursue the sport with passion and dedication.

Pakistan was to produce a stream of brilliant TT players in the future. The 1970s and 1980s produced players like Javed and Sohail Hayat, Arif and Mehboob Khan, Michael Nazir, Arif Nakhuda, Javed and Mehmood Ghaffar, Mohtshim, Munsarim and Farjad Saif, Javed Chohtani; among women, Jamila Tayabji, Yvonne Fernandes, Parveen Minwala, Shaheen Usmani, and the Shakoor sisters.

Dr Michael Rodrigues’ legacy extends beyond his trophies and titles; it lies in the enduring inspiration he provided to aspiring athletes, demonstrating that with hard work and unwavering commitment, reaching the pinnacle of success is possible.