Here’s one I hear at parties or social events. “Do you know Harvey Schmidlap(fake name)? He is a national champion.
For 20 years I worked to be a national champion in my age division. I never did. I lost several heartbreakers including an 11-9 breaker in the semis one year. But I had a very tough draw of former open champs and number one regional players in my age division. Back to Harvey Schmidlap. Today there is a division for everyone. Everyone can become a national champion. Combined age divisions, where rich old guys pay poor young guys to play national tournaments, skill level doubles, skill level singles, skill level age, and the open draws in the age divisions dwindle as the skill age divisions draw competitors that used to be first round fodder for regional champions back in the day.
So no, usually I do not know national champion Harvey or Sadie Fingerhut, (fake name inserted there) or any of these other “marvelous” players.
The term national champion is relative and hats off to the national champions who have won their divisions no matter what the skill level. One favor to ask though, please let your friends know what division!