European Youth Championships | 21 Jul 2013

All square with Nina MITTELHAM’s numeracy

At age of 9 Nina MITTELHAM exchanged football for table tennis…and here in Ostrava, seven years later, she became most successful girl at the 56th European Youth Championships. With three gold medals and one silver Nina highlighted this year’s compe

At age of 9 Nina MITTELHAM exchanged football for table tennis…and here in Ostrava, seven years later, she became most successful girl at the 56th European Youth Championships. With three gold medals and one silver Nina highlighted this year’s competition with most beloved colour.  Born in Willich, player of Tus Bad Driburg and member of Dusseldorf training team, MITTELHAM conquered Europe in great style this year.

She reached the title in Junior Singles Event and halted four years long dominance of untouchable Bernadette SZOCS. She did it semi final. With so much medal clinched this year, asked what would be her first memory of Ostrava, Nina stated: “The title in singles and especially the moment when I beat SZOCS. That is the thing that made me so happy this year. I already felt I can beat her in team’s event. In singles I knew what to do,” said Nina.

In the final, Nina beat Lea RAKOVAC of Croatia. “I lost first game, but I stayed focused. That’s make me very happy.”

- Haven’t you been afraid?
“Oh, yeas. In the final game when I felt I could win, I was shaking. It was incredible.”

- Have you thought you can reach three god medals?
“At first, not. But it all changed after Team’s event. It was all about SZOCS. When I felt she is nervous and under pressure I took my chance.”

- How you start to play table tennis?
“My brother took me to the competition for the kids who were not involved in club’s activities. I won and I liked it. Then, Ildiko IMAMURA , Yuko’s mother saw me and took me to her club. She was my coach before I moved to Dusseldorf under guidance of coach Jörg BITZIGEIO four years ago.”

- How you spend free time at the championships
“I read. I read two books here. I have good time with MANTZ, but I miss Alena LEMMER. She is injured and could not compete in Ostrava.”

- Who is the player, you admire the most?
“Dimitrij OVTCHAROV. The way he plays and his service is something I enjoy watching,” said Nina MITTELHAM, good who is also good in math.“I have three years more to decide what I will study later, but so far I am the best in math.”