Member Associations | 20 Feb 2018

Michael MAZE announces international comeback

Photo: Courtesy ITTF

Danish table tennis star, 2009 European Championships Singles winner, targets 2020 Tokyo Olympics: “I would like to make a good result in my 5th Olympic Games”

 

Danish media have announced international comeback of Michael MAZE and 36-year-old table tennis star confirmed the news via his official Instagram account on Tuesday 20th February. He has stopped in 2016 after several injuries and knee and hip surgeries. Now he is fit and motivated to play again against the biggest actual names of this sport.

 

In the last two years he has been participating in some Roskilde`s matches. This year he has played important games in the Table Tennis Champions League Men, helping his side to reach quarterfinals, in spite of starting as the lowest, no. 16 seed. He played well against his old friends Timo BOLL (Borussia Dusseldorf) and Jun MIZUTANI (Fakel Gazprom Orenburg) and that has given him the motivation to try a comeback. And the goal is the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

 

“My body is very well and I have missed playing on the highest level. The latest matches in the TTCLM have proved that I can play quite well against the best; even I have not practiced so much. I know it will take a long time to reach the top, but I have the time and I will slowly build up my form. The right combination between practice and restitution will be the key and I have a good team around me”, stressed 36-year-old, the 2009 European Championships Singles gold medalist”.

 

Michael MAZE has chosen for the European Championships Qualification clash against Sweden next Tuesday, February 27th, in Halmstad. The match will be held after the Draw for the World Team Championships the same day in that city.

 

“I am so excited to play again for Denmark. It has been fantastic to follow Jonathan GROTH development from the sideline. He is now one of the best in Europe, and I hope we can make some good results together. My big goal is Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020. I will need a lot of practice, and may will think I am over optimistic, but I like big challenges .I would like to make a good result in my 5th Olympic Games”, concluded Michael MAZE.

 

Michael MAZE

Born: September 1st, 1981

 

Best international results

European Championships Singles winner 2009

European Championship Team winner 2005

European Championships Singles bronze in 2007

World Championships Singles bronze in 2005

Olympic Games 2004 bronze Men´s Double with Finn TUGWELL

Europe Top-12 winner in 2004

Table Tennis Champions League Men winner with Borussia Düsseldorf

Danish, German and French club champion

Sportsman of the year 2005 in Denmark (chosen by athletes)

Olympic Games: 4 participations

Best World/ITTF ranking: Number 8

Started with table tennis in 1988

Debut on national team: 1997

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