Member Associations | 5 May 2020

Jamila LAURENTI: I was father’s no. one fan

Jamila LAURENTI is at home in Italy. Country’s Government is easing what has been Europe's longest lockdown on Monday. Italy, imposed the Western world's first peacetime national lockdown, already in the first half of March.

 

“I spend my days with my parents. We have been in quarantine for about 50 days,” said LAURENTI.” In the morning I wake up, I have breakfast and then I practice in my gym that I have at home with my dad. After lunch I rest and then I do two hours of physical preparation. Sometimes I play twice a day.”

 

Silver medalist from Ostrava in Junior Girls Singles Event, Jamila look at the situation with optimism.

 

“Two or three times a week I have online lessons to follow and this takes me a long time. But I'm so happy because I always have something to do. I'm spending this period in peace ... fortunately we are all well. I finally had an opportunity to spend a lot of time with my family.”

 

Good opportunity for healthy lifestyle.

 

“I also started dieting and I am very happy with my results!”

 

Music and moves are the important part of routine.

 

“I generally listen to a lot of music. It’s my favorite hobby and I love to dance! I really like pop and I get excited with ragaetton. I think I have seen almost all Netflix movies in this period. I like to watch them in the company of my parents. I usually prefer to watch comedy and action. I don't really like horror films. I watch also TV series.”

 

There is a time for something new.

 

“I opened a new YouTube Channel, I always wanted it and finally I had some time to do it. I’m so happy and grateful.”

 

Jamila started to play table tennis when she was 8 years old.

 

“My dad played in Italy and I started thanks to him. As a child I always accompanied him and I saw all his matches. I was his number one fan. I realized table tennis will become my call when I was selected for the first time for the senior national team. It was great to see my name down there. I never thought about giving up. I always wanted to play also when I had bad periods. My dad always told to me: “of course you will always have some problems but, if you really love what you do, then you are ready to fight and believe in your dreams, everything happens for a reason.” He’s my mood of life, my boss, my life and the person that impressed me the most. For me he’s a as big champion in life as in sport.

 

Last year’s success is one of her favorite moments.

 

“The most beautiful moment for me was at Europeans in Ostrava when I won the silver medal. Then, also when I secured the Olympic pass in Paraguay and when I was runner up in the Italian National championships for seniors in 2018. The biggest sadness was when I failed to qualify for the quarterfinals at World Junior in Thailand. And the second one was to went out in Team’s Event at European Championships against France.”

 

LAURENTI was a member of the Youth Olympic team.

 

“The most special place for me was in Argentina in Buenos Aires at the Youth Olympics.”

 

She hopes she will be member of Olympic team as senior too.

 

“My next goal is surely to become a competitive player at a senior level and also to be able to reach the top 50 in the World. My dream is to participate at Olympic Games.”