by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Currently studying at the America University of Cairo, the final year undergraduate is combining education with high level sport; a task that requires self-discipline and detailed organisation.

She spoke to Olalekan Okusan, the ITTF-Africa Press Officer

I hope I can perform well and cause an upset by beating a player ranked higher than I am. I think female players can achieve better than their male colleagues, nothing is impossible.

Now, I am a bit busy studying and getting ready to graduate; this is supposed to be my final semester at University, so I cannot say I have prepared intensely for the World Championships. However, I am trying my best to manage my time and focus on the things I need to develop most in my game and physical fitness.

It’s difficult because we aren’t receiving the same quality and amount of practice as the winners from Asia. The lifestyle is different I believe; for example, my studies take a lot of my time and even if I am free, I don’t find very good sparring partners to practise with as I do find in training camps abroad.

Another reason also is that our technique isn’t 100 per cent correct as the Chinese and Asian techniques. They learn the correct movements very early so that when they grow up they don’t need much time to correct mistakes and they work mostly on the game tactics.