分享缩略图
 

Spanish table tennis duo look for medals in Paris Paralympics

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, August 23, 2024
Adjust font size:

Iker Sastre and Ander Cepas will both be in the Spanish table tennis team at the Paralympic Games, which are due to start in Paris in just over a week.

Sastre, who is from Bilbao, has been confirmed to a wheelchair since suffering a back injury while surfing when he was 23-years old, while Cepas, who is from nearby San Sebastian, was born with limited movement down his right-hand side after suffering oxygen deprivation when he was born.

Cepas plays left-handed and recent results have been excellent, with a gold medal in the Brazil Open which was celebrated in February this year, which followed on from silver in the Egyptian Open and a third place in the team event.

"It's another of my characteristics, but it hasn't stopped me from developing," he said in an interview with the Basque TV network, EITB.

He admitted that he felt "pressured to win a medal, but I'm very motivated to win a medal and looking forward to starting."

He also said that the straight knockout format of the Olympic competition was daunting as it means you "can go out in the first round, or win the tournament," adding he needed to "be calm and try and play my best."

"I hope my level on the day and the efforts I have made can allow me to win a medal," he said.

Sastre has medals in European and World Championships and said his ambition is "now to look for an Olympic medal."

"I don't mind that much what color it is," he said, explaining he was "focusing slightly more on doubles as we are very strong in doubles, and being realistic, we have a better chance there."

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
ChinaNews App Download
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter