Natalia Partyka chosen as the International Paralympic Athlete for the month of October
Poland’s table tennis star, Natalia Partyka, has been chosen as the International Paralympic Athlete of the Month. She received the highest number of votes that earned her the honour for October 2011.
The decision was based on her performance at the European Table Tennis Championships held in Split, Croatia on October 24th, 2011.
Her skills and command over the game was clearly observed during the event, as she dominated the contest right from the beginning to the end.
Natalia has accomplished what the others have only dreamt of, her performance at the European Para Table Tennis Championships will be remembered for years.
The 22-year-old won the top prize at the event and was unbeaten throughout the tournament. Not only that she won all the games at the event, Partyka won all the games in straight sets. She cruised her way towards victory without conceding a single game to
her opponents.
The Polish won the Cadet Girl’s Singles title at the European Youth Championships in 2004. She also secured the ITTF Junior Circuit in 2006 and again in 2007.
Her best year so far is considered to be 2008, when she managed to compete in both the mega events, the Paralympic Games and the Olympics.
Participating in the two most prestigious table tennis tournaments enabled Natalia to join the league of the top players of the sport.
Now, she earned herself a place at the London 2012 Paralympic Games after winning the European Para Table Tennis Championships 2011.
Natalia commented on winning the International Paralympic Athlete of the Month award. She said, “It’s a big success, but on the other hand, I was the favourite, so I just did my job”.
She further added, “For me, the most important thing in table tennis is my shape, my game, my results and achievements and that’s all. I am not thinking if I am already or if I will be in the future the best player ever, I think that’s possible; I’ve won
many titles but I’m still pretty young, so we will see that in a few years. I’d like to be the best”.
Partyka successfully made her way amongst the 4,200 athletes who are expected to compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. She is keen to defend her Women’s Singles Class 10 title in London.