World Championships | 19 Feb 2016

Dimitrij OVTCHAROV canceled his participation at PERFECT World Championships

Photo: ITTF

Dimitrij's substitute in Kuala Lumpur is Steffen MENGEL

 

Only week before the start of the PERFECT 2016 World Team TT Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (28 February - 6 March 2016) German team faced big upset. Dimitrij OVTCHAROV canceled his participation because of back problems – to be precise he pulled back muscle and has nerves irritation starting from the sacroiliac joint.


"In the next three weeks I will undergo an intensive rehab programme, hoping that Ill again be fully resilient afterwards, said Ovtcharov.


" In the next three weeks I will undergo an intensive rehab programme, hoping that again I will be fully resilient afterwards," said OVTCHAROV.


The best ranked European player added:


"That is one of the toughest moments for me in my sporting career. After winning three silver medals in a row and great experiences at World Team Championships, this one is the first World Championships that I have to cancel since I debuted in 2007. This is, of course very sad moment for the team and for me , but I do not want to jeopardize my participation at the Olympics Games. Health is an absolute priority. Now is still very early and I hope to be in good shape for Rio".


Dimitrij's substitute is Steffen MENGEL who was part of the German silver medal-team in Tokyo two years ago.


Team of Germany


Timo BOLL (club: Borussia Düsseldorf, World Ranking: 9)
Bastian STEGER (SV Werder Bremen, 39)
Ruwen FILUS (TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell, 42)
Patrick FRANZISKA (Borussia Düsseldorf, 43)
Steffen MENGEL (TTC Schwalbe Bergneustadt, 57), substituting Dimitrij Ovtcharov

OFFICIAL ETTU PARTNERS & SUPPLIERS

ETTU OFFICIAL PARTNERS

ETTU SUPPLIERS POOL MEMBERS