Experienced Teenagers but Singapore is Very Special
August 17, 2010

Interesting reading, the Youth Olympic Games edition of Future Spin Photo By: Raul Calin

Courtesy of ITTF They have come from the four corners of the world; from Africa, America, Asia, Europe and Oceania to meet in Singapore to compete in the first ever Youth Olympic Games. Most, despite their tender years are seasoned competitors. They are used to the intense nature of international competition but of course whether you are Jean-Michel Saive, Jörgen Persson or Zoran Primorac, who have competed in every Olympic Games since table tennis was first introduced in Seoul in 1988, competing in an event where the torch burns brightly and the five continental rings are in evidence, is very special.

Very Special
Furthermore, for the teenagers who are on duty in Singapore, the presence of Jean-Philippe Gatien, the man who through his successes and image he presented took table tennis to new heights in France, is very special.

“The camp is really intense, full-on; it is really awesome to have Gatien here”, said New Zealand’s Julie Wu using teenage speak English.

Highlights for Sri Lankans
Equally, Nuwani Vithanage from Sri Lanka was in an equally positive frame of mind.

“Meeting all the high level players, making friends, seeing the different styles is a highlight for me”, he said. “The camp is great to learn and see new techniques; here I will try my best and aim for 2012 London Olympics and if not for sure Brazil in 2016.”

Ambition
Definitive goals from the Sri Lankan and ambition is certainly necessary to succeed in sport; Jean-Philippe Gatien always presented the image of being the “Gallic gentleman” but inside there was a burning ambition to succeed; a fact that is evident in three young African players in Singapore.

“All is very good, I am here to do my best and learn”, said Warren Li Kam Wa from Mauritius. “My ultimate goal is be Africa Champion; right now that includes 16 hours per week on the table.

Reaching for the Sky
Equally Nigeria’s Ojo Onaolapo was really upbeat and brimful of ambition at the Training Camp.

“It is very good to have such a training camp, I am training well”, he explained. “My aim is for a gold medal here and later to be African and maybe World Champion; unfortunately at the Africa Youth Games I missed the singles due to our late arrival, but we achieved sliver in the teams.”

There is nothing like the enthusiasm of youth!

Similar Approach
In a similar fashion, Egypt’s Omar Bedair was in a positive mood.

“Yesterday I had a good practice session with the North Korean girl defender”, he said. “We used lots of hand signals to communicate but we managed fine; I hope to play well and win a medal; currently I am training around 24 hours a week with the aim of winning the World Junior Championships in the coming years.”

Buoyant Africans in Singapore and from the world’s leading continents in the sport of table tennis, Asia and Europe the positive theme was maintained.

Upbeat
Chiu Chung Hei from Hong Kong and Simon Gauzy from France were upbeat.

“The training camp is really well organized, good quality practice is really important before the tournament; my ultimate aim is a medal but I just want to do my very best”, said Chiu Chung Hei. “My long term aim is to be Olympic or World Champion and I am investing 36 hours per week towards that; in the recent ITTF Junior Circuit tournament in Hong Kong I reached the quarter-finals and only lost to Chinese players so I was quite satisfied.”

Good Preparation
The response from Simon Gauzy was the same.

“I have been preparing for this already for eight months around 30 hours per week”, said the young Frenchman. “I believe I have a big chance and for sure Koki Niwa is the toughest opponent in my path; my next big goal is the World Junior Championships in Bratislava.”

Positive words, interesting times lie ahead.