Category: News

Tomokazu Harimoto – Can win the Olympics! #3

  • July 22, 2021

A phenom, when he was 11 years old, exploded onto the world table tennis scene in Sweden, when he reached the final of Safir’s!

7 years ago Harimoto went on to become world junior no.1 and won the world junior championships aged 13. He also reached the quarter finals of the mens singles WC in 2014.

Harimoto, is a fierce competitor, always fighting for each point and expresses his will physically and vocally. Was produced initially by his parents with a vision of one day their child would beat the formidable Chinese. Harimoto is without any doubt China’s biggest threat! Why? Because he has beaten both Ma and FZD in big events. But that’s not the main reason, it’s because he is so young and like any young person, they are able to adapt, change and develop at a faster rate compared to older athletes.

Harimoto, has had some incredible success but also faced some poor losses and endured some low periods. Yet he has come out returned and remodelled, like new each time his form had a dip.

Fortune has provided Harimoto with another year to prepare for the Olympics. In the past few years he has shown his capabilities pulling off occasional win’s against the likes of Ma and FZD but he did not seem truly ready to win a major event, such as the worlds or Olympics.

Achievements:

  • Highest world ranking no.3
  • World Tour Grand finals winner
  • Best Wins – Fan Zhendong & Ma Long

Can Harimoto really win?

In truth I have not seen much of him in the past year due to Covid. But I am certain he will have been putting in over time in the gym and TT hall. I’ve seen a few videos and pictures and he looks bigger and stronger than ever. I do genuinely believe he is aiming to win a gold medal for his nation but history may have to wait! I think he is still a little too young and does not possess the experience to cope and manage under such a monumental occasion. What does work in his favour is that crowds will be minimised (most would say home crowd can uplift your game) and I do agree. But aged 18 and carrying a nations weight on your shoulders is a tall ask! Therefore on this occasion a smaller crowd favours Harimoto in my opinion and he can go about his business focusing on the task at hand.

I have put Harimoto at 3rd spot on my list of potential gold medalist because he is truly capable of beating anyone and winning the title. But does he have what it takes? For me his biggest weakness is his focus of energy. Shouting, screaming and sinking to the ground after each point won. He is expending a huge amount of energy which is misdirected. Energy is limited and if you don’t hone your energy your reducing your capability of maximum potential. This may be a confidence issue or lack of maturity but it does have an effect and it may mean settling for a possible bronze medal.

Fans!

Harimoto is either loved or disliked because of his vocal cords and for me I admire him. A boy that expresses his inner joy is something we rarely see these days. Often we are told to pipe down and Harimoto uses his pipes to sing his way to victory.

If he does pull off a miracle and win the gold medal, he will become a sporting god in Japan and we may very well see many more like Harimoto in the future…

Please share your thoughts and comments.

Timo Boll – Can win the Olympics! Wildcard

  • July 22, 2021

Before I reveal my top 3 candidates for the Gold, silver and Bronze, here’s my WILD CARD!

Everyone knows Timo, possibly the biggest name in our sport today and is the Roger Federer of TT. Timo is a few months older than me and I was in awe of him when I saw him win the junior Europeans back in the late 90’s. I remember watching his world ranking sky rocket as soon as he left the junior category and in 2002 he was world no.1.

Was he the new Waldner, and was Timo going to be a world and Olympic champion?! Back then I told everyone around me he would never win a worlds or Olympics!

Why, because I felt he lacked power and speed. He’s mindset is possibly the best I’ve ever seen in our sport. He is able to analyse a situation and with a computer like processing system solve and make the right decision. Timo has a gift that very few have (brain power) which means he does not need to use his physicality as much compared to others to gain excellent results! In simple terms his biggest strength is also his weakness. I know he does not put in the extra hours unlike Dima and I know he is content just playing. Therefore he’s not tapping into his full physical capacity and that has stopped him from winning the two biggest titles on the planet!

Achievements:

  • Highest world ranking no.1
  • World Cup winner
  • 8x European Champion

Can Timo really win?

Well he comes into the games in good physical and mental shape but even though he has beaten everyone in the circuit he is not truly feared by the Chinese. This is because his physical presence on the table is a lot less compared to both Ma and FZD. Timo has less power, less speed and less endurance compared to them both.

I have put Timo as a wild card pick which puts him in between 4th and 3rd spot, for my pick of potential gold medalist. Timo, is (possibly) tactically the best player in the world but if you have a Ford and you race a Ferrari, no matter what lines you hit the Ferrari will often out muscle, out power and over speed your great skills…

Why Timo can win the Olympic Gold!

His expectations are low, he is happy just competing (aged 40). He just won the European championships and is looking as strong as he was 10 years ago. When it comes to the latter stages Timo’s expectations remain low and his joy of reaching those stages will be amplified. For the others the tension and nerves will only be heightened. When tension kicks in your weaknesses are exposed even more and Timo will capitalise on it.

I think the world would erupt in joy if Timo won, but we must factor the issues mentioned above and be realistic. Timo’s age, physicality and skill level (power and speed) is limited which may be one step too far from taking the gold medal…

Please share your thoughts and comments.

Lin Yun-Ju – Can win the Olympics! #4

  • July 21, 2021

Everyone took notice of Lin, when he started to beat the Chinese a couple of years ago! He was aged 17 back then and was given the nickname Silent Assassin! As his nickname suggests he goes about his business in silence and it’s hard to truly know what is going on in his mind and professional life.
Yet his results are clear for all to see; ranked top ten in the world, beaten Ma Long, FZD and won the diamond T2 event and is still only 19 years old. He is certainly Taiwan’s great hope of a medal and this pressure can effect even those (seemingly) the unfazed!

Achievements:

  • Highest world ranking no.6
  • T2 & Cze Open winner

  • Best Wins – Fan Zhendong & Ma Long

Can Lin really win?

Well he comes into the games in unknown form but is definitely feared by the Chinese. I believe Lin has the capability to cause massive upsets and possibly the second most feared player outside of China! Unfortunately, he lacks real pedigree at big and long tournaments. This is due to age, exposure and physical endurance which is may be his biggest weakness?!
I have put Lin at 4th spot for my pick of potential gold medalist because he is capable of beating the biggest and best. But does he have the fire power to sustain a lit flame for the entire event? In my opinion NO, he does not!

Why is Lin unlikely to win?

He does not seem to have the physical attributes to last in a long and strenuous situation event such as the Olympics.

I became very interested in Lin after watching him live at the Olympic team qualification in Portugal. He made the game seem so easy and walked through world class players (as if they were beginners).

Silently, people are routing for him to beat the Chinese, for me I just want to see him do well 🙌🏓

Please share your thoughts and comments.

Hugo Calderano – Can win the Olympics! #5

  • July 21, 2021

I’ve watched Hugo, ever since I witnessed him beating Timo Boll about 6 years ago I believe, in the Bundesliga. His unique style, big backhand and a never ending multi-skills ability, is nothing but mind boggling!
His work ethic is a thing of beauty, and it’s clear to see the urgency in upscaling his game and level. If talent was in a bottle Hugo certainly drinks out of it each day. And that may be his down fall!

Achievements:

  • Former World no.6
  • Pan American Champion
  • Latin American champion
  • Best Win – Fan Zhendong
  • He has, beaten most players on the planet and has shown that on his day, he is capable of beating the world no.1!

Can Hugo really win?

Well he comes into the games with some form and has been laying a little under the radar (in preparation). I believe Hugo has the capability to cause massive upset and is a player no one wants to face on route. Yet, I think he’s more of a player who lights up in stints and does not have the pedigree to truly threaten for a golden position. I have put Hugo in 5th spot for my pick of gold because he is slightly unorthodox and often this causes the Chinese more worry than someone like Dima. This is one of Jan-Ove Waldners secrets (back when he took out the Chinese)!

Why is Hugo unlikely to win?

  1. In my opinion unlike Dima, Hugo is supremely gifted and that enables him to be super creative and unique. Yes it feels like his balance between solid foundations and creativity is unbalanced and he can go off on a tangent…
  2. He is yet to beat Ma Long but again different to Dima, I don’t think this plays on his mind. Because he has not faced him many times and he is still relatively young and has a free flowing fearless kind of game and mindset.
  3. I think Hugo is a medal contender but the odds are uniquely high for Gold if and that’s a big (if) he gets into the final. Because his energy and power only grows when things go well. Meaning if he finds good form and gets through to the semi finals then anything is possible for him from there!

I am a big fan of Hugo and the whole of Latin America will be backing him. The question is can he be consistent enough to reach the latter stages where he truly does have a possibility in creating history? 🙌🏓

Please share your thoughts and comments.

Dima Ovtcharov – Can win the Olympics! #6

  • July 20, 2021

I’ve watched Dima, grow over the past 15 years and become a world class athlete!
Hiss work ethic is possibly the highest in European TT, and his achievements can mostly be credited to relentlessness.

Achievements:

  • Former World no.1
  • European champion
  • Olympic Bronze
  • World Cup winner
  • Has beaten every player on the circuit accept for Ma Long!

Can Dima really win?                                                                                       

Well he comes into the games in very good shape and form but in my opinion he is my least favourite to come out with the gold medal out of my six picks! (Blogs coming out each day).

Why is Dima unlikely to win?

  1. In my opinion his work ethic is down to his limitations in natural ability. This means he must work very hard to develop certain elements in his game and struggles to adapt (quickly)!
  2. He is yet to beat Ma Long and that must play on your mind never beating a player in over a decade. I think Dima is a strong candidate for a medal (bronze) but that’s about as far as I see him going.
    Nonetheless, I and Europe are routine for Dima 🙌🏓

I’ll be sharing a blog or two a day on, 6 men that I think can win the Olympics table tennis singles event.

Please share your thoughts and comments.

Why are they the best?!

  • July 17, 2021

Put aside numbers for a minute, (we all know TT is played in the masses there) but numbers does not guarantee success!

It’s a collaborative system, structure and team work…
Unity enables China to dominate TT like no other sport on the planet.
If we truly want to compete with China, we must unite nationally and internationally.
I have the master plan, now who will join me 🙌🏓💪🏼

Cary Cup – Triangle Table Tennis Club (USA)

  • April 3, 2019

Triangle table tennis club based in the US holds a wonderful tournament once a year called Cary Cup

Michael Levene – Chairman of Triangle Table Tennis Club

21 years back I played a small event at Barnet Table Tennis center where I first met and saw Michael play. He instantly captured my attention due to his charismatic energy and ultimately his playing ability which saw him go on to win the main event. I, later on, enjoyed training with Michael and playing alongside (representing GB) in Israel, where we managed to capture a team bronze medal. Not long after Michael moved to America and we kept in touch from time to time via social media and phone calls. Michael opened a club called Smash and then went on to become chairman of the best table tennis club in America Triangle Table Tennis Club

 

Filip Szymanski Cary Cup Champion
Filip Szymanski eBaTT Player

Cary Cup and Flip Szymanski

I have been coaching, mentoring and working with Filip Syzmnski for the past 13 years. Funnily enough we also first met at Barnet Table Tennis Club. Michael contacted me a few months back stating his interest in delivering a special event through the Cary Cup. This meant he required some special players who would provide that special feel and showcase the sport in a special light. We spoke about players like Liam Pitchford and Stephane Ouiache and Filip. Luckily Filip was available and the motion was set. Filip went into the event as the second seed representing eBaTT (Eli Baraty Academy of Table Tennis). Filip 35 years young, loves playing under the spotlight and he shined throughout the event going on to win the Cary cup.

 

Flip Szymanski in Miami
Pre-championship training

Table Tennis is a beautiful sport that connects people from all over the world

 

Inner Game by Timothy Gallwey

  • March 26, 2019

I will be attending the inner game conference held by Timothy Gallwey himself in Hertfordshire University on April 29th, 2019. It’s a full day packed with guest speakers and information provided to uplift your sporting game. If you wish to be a part of this special event see details below.

“Knowledge is Power”

I’ve grown as a person and coach because I’ve opened my mind to learning. Join me at the… THE INNER GAME

Conference with Timothy Gallwey

Venue: University of Hertfordshire, De Havilland Campus, Hertfordshire, AL10 9UF.

Date: 29th April

Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm / Registration 09:30am.

Email us at info@coachingkids4selfbelief.com for more information or to register your interest.

Accredited by TTE, LTA and many more.

I will be following this conference with a blog for the masses.