| Published: Friday, 21 March, 2008, 12:54 AM Doha Time |
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Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus
returns a shot to Russia’s Artur Grigoryev during their table
tennis match yesterday. Samsonov won the match 4-0 (11-2, 11-4,
11-4, 12-10) Picture by Jayan Orma |
Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus is in tremendous form this season. He has already won two major tournaments - Slovenian Open in January
and the Kuwait Open last week. Though the World No 6 has never won in Qatar, he seems to be at the top of his game and the testimony to this is the 4-0 rout of World No 7, Qi Chen of China in the finals in Kuwait.
"I'm feeling good at the moment and that's important. Things have really gone well if your see the records but I will say I didn't play well in the World Championship in February," says Samsonov after winning his first outing in the tournament beating Russia's Artur Grigoryev 11-2, 11-4, 11-4, 12-10 (4-0).
Despite his fine run in the Olympic year, Samsonov is well aware that Beijing Olympics will be a different ball game all together.
"There is still plenty of time for the Games. We will be having two months' break before the event and that's when the real preparation starts. Most teams will be preparing hard from then on; I will also have to make the best use of the time on hand. As I said, it will also depend on how you feel on the day. The slightest of lapse in concentration can spoil your medal aspirations," revealed Samsonov.
"I'm not writing myself off though. I want to be among the medals and that's my goal. Let's hope everything goes well," added Samsonov, who made it to the last 16 at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
The 32-year-old, has plenty of titles to his name. He has been the European Champion thrice (2005, 2003 and 1998) and also the World Cup twice in 1999 and 2001.
Having been on the circuit for so long, Samsonov has seen the Chinese grow into a dominant force in table tennis over the years but feels that they can be caught.
"There is no doubt that the Chinese are way ahead of the rest and at one look you will feel none of the countries will come anywhere close to where they are in the next 10 years.
"But if anyone looks like closing the gap, it is Korea or Japan. Asia, in fact, is showing great promise in the sport than the Europeans. There are some good youngsters in Japan who I feel can do well in the coming years. The Koreans have lacked a bit of consistency," felt Samsonov, who has three top 12 European titles under his belt.
So what is the key to success against the Chinese?
"You have to keep trying hard against them. In Beijing, they are playing at home and so they will come hard at you; that's natural. But you have to play without any pressure. Sometimes it will work and sometimes it will not," he went on.
"In table tennis, even the best is beatable, so I feel all the top players are always in with a chance every time they play against each other," says the attacking player with the shakehand grip.
Things have really changed back home in Belarus ever since Samsonov took to table tennis. The sport has gained popularity and Samsonov feels there are some young players with the potential of making it big.
"There has been lot of liking for the sport in Belarus, so it was never a problem finding talent. Of course, making it big depends on every individual but the signs are good. Hopefully, the youngsters will make up the grades in the coming years," says Samsonov before signing off.