At age of 11 Natalia PARTYKA of Poland played at her first Paralympic Games in Sydney becoming the youngest ever Paralympian. This year she will play at her fourth Olympic Games and her sixth Paralympics Games in Tokyo. She will travel to Japan after the great challenge of playing on home soil at the LIEBHERR ITTF European Championships.
The long brake forced by the pandemic took its toll on PARTYKA but now with competitions returning things are improving.
“Last year I played just few league matches and few in the Champions league ” said PARTYKA. “And that was all so I would say that during the year it seemed like almost nothing happened. I did not play well and did not feel comfortable during the matches. I felt like I was not in bad shape but could not show that in the match. Now step by step things are going better so I am really looking forward for Tokyo.”
How are your preparation for the Olympics is going? What is the plan for the last month before the Games start?
“I played at the European Championships and that was the biggest test before Tokyo. I am glad that finally we have a chance to play on the international stage. Right after Europeans until leaving for Tokyo I will be in my hometown preparing for the Olympics. The most important is to stay healthy before departure.”
You have already prepared so many times and I wonder how the preparations during the pandemic changed the previous strategies? What is different compared to you previous experience?
“You know during the pandemic year we cancelled almost all tournaments and training camps we didn’t travel or meet with other teams and players. So everything looked different. I spent almost all the time in my hometown and practiced with the guys from training centre in Gdańsk.”
You have been to three Olympics and five Paralympics can you remember your feelings before the first one?
“I don’t remember well my feelings from my first Paralympics because I was just 11! But I remember that before going to Beijing I was extremely happy and excited that I was going to represent my country at an Olympic Games. It was like a dream come true.”
Does the experience of playing at the Paralympics give you possibility to ease the pressure from the Olympics?
“Playing at the Paralympics is different for me then playing at the Olympics because at Para I am one of the best and everyone expects me to win easily so it’s huge pressure. At the Olympics there are a lot of better players then me so the pressure is low. Anyway I am already an experienced player and I know how to deal with everything.”
Please can you choose one of your most vivid memories from each of the Paralympics and Olympics you attended? A moment that will always remind you of Sydney Athens Beijing London Rio?
“From all Paralympic Games the best memory is winning each gold medal in single event. I can’t choose one because all of them are awesome. At the Olympics I think one of the best was playing in China. Every day the venue was full. Chinese people loves table tennis so it was really great experience to be a part of Olympic tournament.”
What is the goal for the Poland team for you personally?
“Everything depends on the draw. We know we are strong as a team and capable to play really well. So the goal is to play the best we can and try our best in team and single events as well.”
With so much experience what is your advice to the young players?
“I would say that the most important thing every day is hard work and dedication. So my advice is: work hard and dream big.”
You had to withstand all kinds of pressure live all that pride joy sacrifice pain what has changed the most inside of you? How would you describe the women you are now shaped by the events most of us never experienced?
“I had to work really hard to be able to compete with able bodied players. At the beginning it seemed even impossible to reach that high level. But I didn’t give up every day I tried my best and that sacrifice proved to me that impossible is nothing and I can do anything. Table tennis made me who I am today.”
The players will not be allowed to watch other events for safety reasons but is there any other sport beside table tennis you would like to watch during the Olympics at least on TV?
“That is a pity that we cannot watch other sports… But for sure I will support all polish athletes. I would love to see volleyball or tennis.”
What come first to your mind when you think about the greatest Olympic achievement of any other athlete?
“On my mind is Usain Bolt Michael Phelps or all Chinese table tennis team. I think they are some of the greatest Olympians.”
