Kleshchik is from Kherson, Ukraine. He studied mechanical and electrical engineering at nearby Odessa University. His wife, Larissa, is from Azerbaijan, farther south, and they lived there until wore broke out with Armenia. They came to Michigan in September 1989 with sons Igor and Dmitry.

We came with two kids and four bags - that's it"

He and Larisa live in Troy. He's an inventor who holds two U.S. pattents for flexible heated cloth. He's also the head table tennis coasch for the International School in Farmington Hills.

The Kleshchikds didn't pick Michigan-the Azerbaijan embassy did.

"They send me here because it's a mechanical state, and my degree says electrical and mechanical. It was wrong,though, because I worked in oil and gas. The embassy decided Southfield, USA. We didn't know where it was. We had to look at a map."

But he loves Troy - "it's clean with beautiful people" - and says Michigan has a big, vibrant Russian community.

Kleshchikd was a top Ukraine soccer player until he dislocated his right shoulder.

"After my injury a friend said, 'Let's go play right-handed table tennis.' In Europe, it is the second-most-important sport after soccer. Soon, I was regional champion and so on. I fall in love with it. It's an absolute unique sport. You must be very strong, and you you must concentrate every minute."

He also enjoys skiing and hockey.

"In Russia, you study and play sports, and that's it. It's not like here, where there are so many things to do."

This is his second season as coach at the International School, where he has 10 top-of-the-line tables. (His wife won't let him have one at home.)

"In Russia, it is a little bit different. The higher the class of players teach the youngerplayers, but its not a specific hob.More and more, I love this. It's a unique school, like a family. The students speak different languages and are from different cultures, but in the sport is the same goal. It's very fun, big fun."

The Farmington Hills Table Tennis Center(see www.fhttc.com) began in January and has almost 140 members in its club. There are camps for kids and classes for ages 5 and up, for serious players and not-so-serious ones.

"We had a guy come who is 91 years old. He played very well. Everyone who comes to play brings someone else."

The Club is sponsored by American Table Tennis, which is based in Southfield. The center hosts tournaments. Kleshchik began competing again last year, and placed third in state doubles.

"I want to bring full range of competition to our club. I want to create interest - it's such an interesting game. It's good for your legs, arms, brain. People only know Ping-Pong for basement. This is not game for basement."