Successor in the Wings for Germany's Top Spot

Another interview and another player who has cracked the world's top 20. Patrick Baum now ranked number 6 among European players and currently 23rd in the world, has made incredible grounds in the last few years and made his way into the German Men's team who succeeded in making the WTTC Teams Final against China in 2010 and of course made an astounding effort in coming 2nd at last years European Championships defeating former World Champion Werner Schlager of Austria and 3 time World Cup winner Vladimir Samsonov of Russia. It is an honour for me to present this interview to you all. Thanks so much Patrick!

Full Name: Patrick Timo Baum
Age: 24
Date Of Birth: 23.06.87
Nation represented: Germany
Highest World Ranking: 19

Equipment Used?

Blade: Baum Carrera Senso
FH Rubber: Acuda
BH Rubber: Acuda

Your Career

How long have you been playing table tennis for, when and how did you start?
I started at 6 years old. I started because my older brother also played table tennis and I wanted to do the same like him.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far?
My father had the biggest influence on me, he showed me how to play and coaches me until I was 20. Also today I am practising sometimes with him.

What has been the highlight of your table tennis career so far?
Last year, when I got Vice European Champion in Singles was the best result right
  now. 
 

Patrick's amazing Semi Final match vs Vladimir Samsonov at the 2010 European Championships

Video by TTCountenance

What's does your training schedule for a week period involve?
I am playing about 4-5 hours table tennis every day and sometimes fitness.

What is your next big goal for table tennis?
I would like to come under the top 20 in world ranking again.

Who has been your biggest rival out on the table since you started playing?
I didn't have a big rival out of table tennis.

What do you think is the most important thing in table tennis for becoming a successful player on the international stage?
I think you have to start quite early with table tennis, that you can learn everything and be very safe.

Do you think Germany has what it takes to win the World Team Championships next year?
I think we had a little chance last time in Moscow in the final against china, but it is hard to come to the final and then we will see.

Image Courtesy of ITTF

Off the Topic Questions

Favourite food?
Italian

What do you do when you aren't playing table tennis?
I like doing other sports, most of all football

Dream Car?
Audi R8

Ideal holiday destination?
Caribbean

First thing you would do if you won $1million?
Change into euro :)


Your Team Mates
Boll,Süß,Jakab

Who’s the funniest player in the training hall?
Janos Jakab

Who trains the hardest in the training hall?
Many players are practising a lot every day

Who’s the funniest team player?
All of my team mates are very funny.

Who has the best nickname?
Bolle for Bojan Tokic


And Lastly
Would you like to add one last tip, or an inspirational message for other table tennis players looking to succeed?
I wish everybody all the best and a lot of fun with playing table tennis.

Ticks Across the Board for Carmencita Alexandrescu

It was my distinct pleasure to interview a very talented woman with a great passion for the sport of table tennis. Carmencita (or Camy as she likes to be known) is a woman of many hats in table tennis: a player, an ITTF coach, an umpire and of course a mother of two daughters who both play too. A great role model for everyone of all areas of the sport, hope you enjoy the read and thank you Camy!

Full Name:

Carmencita Doinita Alexandrescu

Age:
43

Date Of Birth:
06/25/1968

Nation represented:
Romania /Belgium / USA

Highest  Ranking:
ITTF, Romanian, Belgian and American Coach ! 

Equipment Used:
Blade: Amultart ZL-carbon
FH Rubber: Tenergy 05
BH Rubber: Tenergy 05

Camy on the far left at Chris Paul's Topspin Charity Event 2014

Your Career

How long have you been playing table tennis for, when and how did you start?

I started playing Table Tennis when I was almost 7 years old in 1975 on and off but I'm still involved till this day. I began practice performance in Clubul Sportiv Municipal Buzau . My parents decided to put me in this sport because they don't want to see me playing on the street and worry about me !


What has been the highlight of your table tennis career so far?

When I won the " Silver Bat " because of my multiple sportswomen medals


Who is your biggest rival out on the table tennis table?

I do not have a specific rival in my career . The only thing that bothers me sometimes are the players with long pips ! :)


You have a number of different hats in table tennis, you are a player, a coach and an umpire. How fulfilling is that and how did you get involved with all of these?

I love Table Tennis and nothing can make me give up no matter how hard some people around me try to make me give up !


What do you think of the state of women's table tennis around the world?

I wish from my heart to see the beautifulness , the feminity, the sexy women players around the world to use more often skirts , nice shirts more feminine with more curves . Making Table Tennis sexier like other sports example Tennis, Gymnastics or Figure Skating where the womens have long hair , nice make up and beautiful attractive clothes where lots of people want to see and enjoy ! I encourage every womens teams , Table Tennis Company's to support and promote the image and development of womens in Table Tennis !

Me and Camy hanging in Las Vegas

You are also a mother with two beautiful daughters who are both also players, what has been your favourite table tennis trip with the family so far?

We just went on a trip to Lake Tahoe California with players and coaches from India, China, and Italy organzied by ICC Milpitas the ITTF hot spot in America where I coach for the last three months in the Summer Table Tennis Camp. We had a wonderful time with different cultures !


What are your goals as a player, coach, umpire and mum for the near future?

I will be focused more and more in the coaching field because I want in the future to see more and more good players coming from USA in top world ranking ! Like a mom I want my daughters to study and make their dreams come true !


Off the Topic Questions

Who’s your favourite sportsperson of all time?

My favorite sportsperson was, is, and will be Jean-Michel Saive "The Fighter " because he is still showing me to never give up ,go forward no matter how old you are ,be nice ,funny and enjoy this sport . I will always have big respect for Jean -Mi !


Favourite food?

I love Sushi and Sashimi !


What do you do when you aren't playing table tennis?

I like to spend quality time with my family and friends , shopping with my daughters going to the gym and helping promote the Australian company ttEDGE that is directed by William Henzell which is also sponsoring us ! 

CLC at ICC

Dream Car?

Red Ferrari 


Ideal holiday destination?

I recommend Las Vegas because it's a unique place in the world with lots of fun and excitement !


First thing you would do if you won $1million?

Me and my daughters to have own sports fragrance .


Your Team Mates

Players : Zhou Xin -China , Anol Kashyap-India , Jiten Gidla -India , Maggie Tian -China , Ariel Hsing -USA , Lily Zhang -USA
And in The Coaching field Rajul Sheth , also the Director of ICC -Milpitas Table Tennis Club India/USA , Coach Massimo Constantini -Italy and Coach Jayanta Pushilal -India 

Who’s the funniest player in the training hall?

Maggie Tian because her accent sounds funny and she make us feel good around her !


Who trains the hardest in the training hall?

Ariel Hsing and Lily Zhang they are juniors full of energy and with a lots of accomplished results ! 


Who has the best nickname?

The best nickname is Chinku a player from India that trains here in the club .

Carmen's Highlights Video 

And Lastly

Would you like to add one last tip, or an inspirational message for other  table tennis players, coaches and/or umpires looking to succeed?

We need good players , coaches and umpires all around the world with lots of dedication  !
Never Give Up ! And the best Quotation - " Winners  never quit and quitters never win "

Great words of advice there, love the quote too. Thanks so much Camy, keep doing the great work you do!

Karlsson Holds Hope for Another Swedish Number 1

It was a great honour for me to secure this interview with one of Sweden's most successful players and renowned coach, Peter Karlsson. I hope you can all take something away from this interview. Thanks Peter!

Full Name: Peter Karlsson
Date Of Birth: 29/05/69
Nation Represented: Sweden
Highest Ranking: 4 ( 1994)

Equipment Used/using?
Blade: STAG Peter Karlsson Carbon
FH Rubber: STAG TEC
BH Rubber: STAG Peter Karlsson Gen2

Karlsson in Action 

Your Career

How long have you been playing table tennis for, when and how did you start?Started at 7 with my brother at home on the kitchen table.

What was the highlight of your table tennis career as a player?
2000: Singles Champion at European Championships

1991: World Champion Doubles

4times World Champion in Teams (-89, -91, -93, -00 )

What is Sweden's philosophy on table tennis, I know you sincerely believe you can produce another world number 1, what does Sweden need to do to achieve this?
We have traditions, knowledge, history and a good system ( which needs to be improved). We dont have BIG number of players. As we only have a small number of players we need extreme personalities with:

1/ Driving force
2/ Ready to work hard
3/ Passion for the sport that makes them do something “extra”.
4/ Players who are ready to invest time and money to improve.

What has changed in Sweden since the era's of Waldner and Appelgren?
Life has changed..... kids today have so many things to choose from. Not only sport, also computer, all different types of games. The number of players in Sweden has gone down a lot in the last 20-25 years. The competition inside the country is not as hard as it used to be. BUT....I still believe we can come back to the top!!!

What do you think makes the Chinese so dominant at the sport currently?
They have: traditions, good system, good history, knowledge and money.
Combine this with a BIG number of players.

The status of table tennis is high in China. Parents are dreaming of having future champions. All these things makes the competition inside the country very hard, this drives the level of the sport up!!

What kind of training programmes are the top Swedish players undergoing presently (ie Par Gerell, Robert Svensson etc)?
I'm not the right man to answer this question...

What do Europe need to increase the standard of their game to compete with Asia in the next 5-10 years?
We need to improve the footwork and also we need to improve physically. I believe we need to spend more hours in the hall.

Who do you think in terms of team events will be the first country to beat China in the future based on their current trends and development of emerging players?
South Korea

Peter winning Gold in the Mens Singles at the 2000 European Championships

Image Courtesy of the Tribune.

Off the Topic Questions

Who’s your favourite sportsperson of all time?
Björn Borg

Favourite food?
French food...

What do you do when you aren't involved with Table Tennis?
Spending time with my family and friends.

Dream Car
Im not a big fan of cars.... but a Porche would be ok!!

Ideal holiday destination?
Thailand with my family

First thing you would do if you won $1million?
Today Im doing things for the non profitable organisation “Peace and Sport”.
I would definately increase my involvement with them if I won that much money.

Ma Lin vs. Peter Karlsson 2004

Your Team Mates (or coaching students)

Who’s the funniest player in the training hall?
Lin Zhigang , a chinese player who I played with 5 years in Nevers , France.

Who trains the hardest in the training hall?
I have seen so many players who have trained hard. Not fair to mention only one.....

Who has the best nickname?
Appelgren ( Äpplet= The apple)


And Lastly

Would you like to add an inspirational message to readers to help them achieve their goals?
Achieving goals is the end station of a goalsetting, right??

Lets make the journey ( which is very long!!) enjoyable!!!

HAVE FUN AND ENJOY WHAT YOU ARE DOING, this will increase your chances to be successful.

BEST REGARDS
Peter Karlsson

Want to read more great interviews with other former World Champions, Cup Winners and Number 1's? Click for MORE INTERVIEWS.

Sweden's Rocky Balboa of Table Tennis

I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Hampus Söderlund, a young Swedish player making his way to the top. Currently ranked 27th in the World in the Under 18 rankings and 10th among Swedish mens players in the ITTF Mens Rankings, Hampus is making big moves! Hampus was really enthusiastic about the interview and has answered the questions really well it makes for great reading, hope you all enjoy :) and of course Thanks to Hampus for doing the interview and getting it back so quickly

Full Name: Hampus Söderlund
Age: 17
Date Of Birth: 14 January 1994
Nation represented: Sweden
Highest World Ranking: 271

Hampus Soderlund
Image from ITTF

Equipment Used?

Blade: Timo Boll T5000

FH Rubber: Tenergy 05 FX

BH Rubber: Tenergy 05


Your Career

How long have you been playing table tennis for, when and how did you start?
I've been playing for 10 years. My parents played so it was a normal step for me, to start to play.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far?
Oh, that’s a hard question. My coach for the moment is the former player Peter Karlson and of course so has he has some influence in me. Also some other coaches like Thomas Von Scheele in the national team. But my parents are the most influence over career so far!

What has been the highlight of your table tennis career so far?
Difficult to say. It was very fun when a did win the Swedish championship for U-21 earlier this year. This is the most fresh victory for me, that’s why I took this event. I still have the feeling inside.

What's your training schedule for a week period?
Normally I practise 2 times Monday to Fridays and some exercises for my body every day. Then we have 1 week training camp with the Swedish national team every month. And I am going to other countries to practise sometimes.

What is your next big goal for table tennis?
World junior champs in Bahrain. I want to practise well and develop my game for that tournament. And I want to make a very good performance there. I also want to play well for my club in the Swedish league. We will start now in September.

Hampus' 2010 match against Alexander Franzen of Sweden

Who has been your biggest rival out on the table since you started playing?
I would say Mattias Översjö, who also is a good friend of mine. We are from the same city and we did practise in the same group for 8 years. But we did separate, one year ago. He did move to the Swedish champs Elsöv and I moved to Falkenberg.

Who is your favourite international player and why?
Zhang Jike for the moment. He is playing in a way as I want to play. He has a very strong backhand,forehand and a very good body. I also like his way to receive with his BH flick. “Tabletennis is something difficult, but he is doing it so easily”

You participated in a teams event in Malta with one of our players Phillip Xiao give us your spin on what he's like as a team mate.
Haha I have very good memories from that tournament. Philip is a very nice person to play with. Very relaxed and humble. Philip is a great team player! I did take 3 golds and one silver in Malta. And he made that possible for me!

Image by Par Gerdin
From http://www.hampussoderlund.com

Off the Topic Questions
Who’s your favourite sportsperson of all time?I suppose I should say Jan-ove-Waldner. But I really like Muhammed Ali!

Favourite food?
Asian food extra point to Thai food.

What do you do when you aren't playing table tennis?
I am having my own blog http://www.hampussoderlund.com. I also like to move on me to go the gym, and to play thai boxing, Then of course I like to be with my friends and my family.

Dream Car?

I like this car. It’s a very cool sport car, but it is still not to much.

Ideal holiday destination?

The Maldives. I would really like to go there.

First thing you would do if you won $1million?
Buy that Porcshe!

Your Team Mates
Lukas Ryden, Omar Assar and Pär Gerell (only in swedish tournaments)

Who’s the funniest player in the training hall?
We have some India players in our practise group. I would say Ghosh he has very funny comments sometimes.

Who trains the hardest in the training hall?
It depends on the day. But Omar is always working very hard and consistent.

Who’s the funniest team player?
Lukas he is the relaxed one, outside the table.

Who has the best nickname?
I think I have the best nickname. They call me for “Rocky” like in Rocky Balboa. I cant say that I don’t like it !

And Lastly

Would you like to add one last tip, or an inspirational message for other table tennis players looking to succeed?
To have fun work hard and to listen to other persons ideas. But in the end always trust your own stomach feeling!!

Awesome! Thanks Hampus :)

You can check out Hampus' blog at http://www.hampussoderlund.com

Oceania's Powerhouse of Ping Pong

Continuing in my theme of interviewing great and inspiring players I sent some questions to one of my favourite table tennis players of all time, Simon Gerada. I had the distinct pleasure of playing Simon in my first international table tennis match in Hobart this year and it was a very intimidating experience. I'm a great fan of Simon's style and aggression out on the table and love to watch him play! Here is his interview, enjoy!

Full Name: Simon Gerada
Age: 30
Date Of Birth: 20/03/1981
Height: 186

Simon at the GSSE Games 2011

Image Courtesy of  Time of Malta. 

Nation represented: Australia/Malta

Highest World Ranking: 180
Equipment Used?

Blade: Andro Allround
FH Rubber: Andro Hexer ($50 retail)
BH Rubber: Andro Hexer X ($50 retail)

Your Career

How long have you been playing table tennis for, when did you start?

Since 8 years of age, so 22 years now.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?
My father, the support for one but he’s always given me a never too hard attitude.

What do you feel has been your biggest achievement to date?
Becoming the best player in Australia and Oceania in 2003. Simon also won the Oceania Championships Mens Singles in 2000 and has been one of Oceanias top table tennis players from a relatively young age.
Is there anything you would change in your table tennis career if you could do it all again?

No.

What are your future goals in table tennis?

Make the Olympic games London. This will involve Simon playing the Olympic Games Qualification Tournament early next year and placing in the top 3 to qualify.

What's your view on the Chinese dominance at the moment; why are they so good do you believe?

Basically, the Chinese have developed a perfect documented system. Imagine creating the best athlete and then re-producing that athlete over and over again. And only modifying the system based on the next perfect athlete.The Chinese use this system right across as many locations in the country and reproduce the same system in different tiers.

What is your favourite shot in your game and why?

Forehand counterloop; because the opponent thinks they have the advantage with making the first loop before I play my counter which usually goes right on by them.
During your career where has table tennis taken you, in terms of training and playing?

Lost count along the way.
Who's the toughest opponent you have ever overcome in a match?

Many different moments and players during the different stages of my career. Simon was noted as the toughest opponent for another of Australia's best, William Henzell.
What is the most memorable match you have ever played?

Jan Ove Waldner at the World Cup in front of 6 thousand people.
What do you think are some of the key factors in becoming a successful table tennis?

Train hard and to have a good team behind you

Off the Topic Questions

Who’s your favourite sportsman of all time? Roger Federer

Favourite film? I have a top 10

What's your dream car? Ford GT40


What do you do in your spare time other than table tennis?

Family, Golf, Business (HWATT), Café

Do you eat well or eat junk?

50/50

PS3 or XBOX 360?

PS3

What would be the first thing you would do if you won $1million?

Go to the bank

 Some of Simon's great points from the 2009 Australian Open and Closed Championships.

Your Team Mates

Who’s the funniest player in the training hall? Dee Muhammad

Who trains the hardest in the training hall?

Ivan, Nathan, Derek, Zaki, Melissa and Muammad


Who has the best nickname? Lewy the Fly

And Lastly


Would you like to add one last tip, or an inspirational message to us all?


Train hard and just do it!

Thanks Simon, all the best for the Australian Closed Champs and the not so far away Olympic Qualification Tournament!

You can also check out Simon's business HWATT (Health Wellness and Table Tennis) which runs multipurpose training and coaching programme's.