On the handball courts of Queens, you win some, you Liu some 

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State Sen. John Liu faced off against world champ handball player Josef Gotsch, a Bayside native, Sunday. Photo courtesy of Liu

State Sen. John Liu faced off against world champ handball player Josef Gotsch, a Bayside native, Sunday. Photo courtesy of Liu

By David Brand

On the handball courts of Bayside, you win some, you Liu some.

At least that was the case Sunday, when the local state senator challenged the local world champion to a few matches at Saul Weprin Playground on 56h Avenue. 

Sen. John Liu squared off against Josef Gotsch about six weeks after Gotsch’s latest handball title at a tournament in Las Vegas.  Liu grew up playing the game and said he was inspired to make a comeback after reading a Dec. 2 Eagle article about Gotsch.

The champ made quick work of the 53-year-old former city comptroller, winning 21-4 and 21-2. But he said Liu, the only state lawmaker to have his workout routines detailed in a City & State profile, knew his way around the court.

“He was really good. He’s just in a great shape,” Gotsch said. “He’s super strong.”

Gotsch, 26, said the recognition from a local elected official meant a lot to him. “He came to my home park, in my neighborhood and we had a lot of fun,” he said.

And despite getting “spanked,” Liu gave credit where was credit due.

“The guy is good. He doesn’t make mistakes and he has a strong left and right hand,” he said.

“It’s easy to see why he’s the world champion.”