by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer
She confronted Dina Meshref, the top seed, understandably it was defeat (11-3, 11-3, 11-7, 11-4). Later in the contests for the minor positions, she was beaten by Tunisia’s Safa Saidani (11-6, 11-8, 11-4) and by Egypt’s Farah Abdel-Aziz (11-1, 11-2, 11-4), the player who had started proceedings as the third seed.
In the past two years, Christy Bristol has representing Seychelles in continental competitions and has an avowed passion for table tennis; one child, the 23 year old mother was introduced to the sport by her sister in 2006. Notably, in the past two years, she has remained unbeaten in her country.
“I love table tennis; my passion for the sport goes beyond making money from it. I just love playing the game. Sometimes people ask me what I am gaining from the sport but to me table tennis is another life. Without table tennis, I don’t think I would ever imagine travelling to other nations in Africa. It has given me health in life and the virtues I have gained from the sport have been helping me in my daily life.” Christy Bristol
A graduate of National Institute of Health and Social Studies, she is nursing the ambition of becoming the first Seychellois to compete at the Olympic Games.
Already she has been selected for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia, Christy Bristol is hoping that she can defy the odds.
“My dream is to win a medal at the African Games as well as feature for my country at the Olympic Games. I know it is a tough dream but I am ready to work hard and achieve my dream. Amidst the array of stars in Africa, I am sure with more hard work, I can rub shoulders with the best in Africa.” Christy Bristol
Winner of a bronze medal at the 2011 Indian Ocean Games, African tournaments are very much the next step for Christy Bristol, a qualified physiotherapy technician. The problem for Christy Bristol is balancing home life with practice.
“I must tell you that it has not been easy combining playing table tennis and doing my chores; it means I can only practise twice weekly. Even with that I still remain the best player in the country.” Christy Bristol
Additionally Christy Bristol highlighted that lack of quality coaching as well as little support from government have adversely affected the fortunes of table tennis.
