Starting at 16
Training and Drills
Andres Salazar Asked 10 years ago
At 16 years if age, I've only recently starting taking table tennis seriously, and I'm a bit worried over starting a bit late. Do I still have a chance of making it big or am i too late?
Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago
Hi Andres,
Table Tennis is a life long game. At 16 you have about 60 or 70 good years left in you so plenty of time to get really good.
If you are wanting to be World champion then it is probably too late, but to be a very good player there is still time.
Thoughts on this question
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Sunil bharti Posted 8 years ago
Alois sir there are many players who are champions e.g Leander pace age 40+ , the legend samsonov 37+
Its lil hurting sir as you said its too late to start at age of 16 to be world champion
Jared Peterson Posted 8 years ago
Hey Sunil,
I am 15years old and i started table tennis 2 years ago. Sadly starting at 16 and becoming world champion in my eyes is impossible. So my challenge to you is to prove me and Alois wrong. If you commit your life and mindset 100% to becoming a world champion andyou work and train constantly and perfect your technique you can accomplish whatever you set you're mind too. But the deciding factor is how truly bad you want it. Best of luck Sunil, train like an animal and prove us all wrong!
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
I agree Jared. I would love to be proved wrong by you Sunil. Work hard and see where you can reach.
Sunil bharti Posted 8 years ago
Thanks alois sir, Actually I started playing table tennis at the age of 21 and now I am 29.I wanna be national level player at in India.But here is not a single table tennis club in my city hoshiarpur (punjab) I am planning to open own private TT club, as that will be good for my city.So I think to be a good level coach I need to lear a lot and push ma levwl best
Sunil bharti Posted 8 years ago
Jared peterson thanks bro but I am 29 now
Dima Shevchenko Posted 7 years ago
What do you think of starting in club at 11-12 years old? And taking table tennis really serious. Does that have chances for world champion though it's hard?
I am with Jared and think it's to hard to achieve world champion after 16 years old. Hope you still try for it, maybe start coaching table tennis.
Dima Shevchenko Posted 7 years ago
Hello
I found out a update that Xu Xin started at 19 years old. I don't know if that's true but since hope so. Anything is possible enjoy your table tennis!
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago
Not sure that Xu Xin started at 19... But still work hard with your game.
Dima Shevchenko Posted 7 years ago
I think someone just wrote that on Wikipedia, but it said so
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago
In 2009 when he was 19 he won the World Team Cup, Won Bronze in the Asian Singles championships and Silver in the World Doubles championships. That was probably his break out year which is maybe what they meant.
Dima Shevchenko Posted 7 years ago
Good to know. Thanks!
Mehmet Demir Posted 7 years ago
Is there a successful athlete who started playing table tennis too late?(it can be national or international success)
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago
It is hard to reach the top Nationally starting at 16 but it is not impossible in some countries. Probably not China... or the top European countries either...
Dima Shevchenko Posted 7 years ago
Yeah, like Sweden and Germany are like the top in Europe. So bad that I live in Sweden then. Big concurrence.
D K Posted 7 years ago
I have read that Takashima Norio started at his late 14. Where he ended up?
WTTTC
Dima Shevchenko Posted 7 years ago
Intresting! Wich place did he end up in?
Between thanks for sharing
Dima Shevchenko Posted 7 years ago
Sunil bharti I mean are you serious that Samsonov started at 37+ you mean when he got to be number 1.
Ernest Wahyu Posted 7 years ago
I heard Wong Chun Ting (World Rank No.6) from Hongkong started playing table tennis at 17 years old.
D K Posted 7 years ago
Dima-in 1973 I think,Takashima has played a deciding match in a teammatch between China and Japan according to what I have read. The teammatch was final.
If Takashima had won,Japan would have won a gold medal.
Dima Shevchenko Posted 7 years ago
D K wow that means that everyone can make it.
D K Posted 7 years ago
Though,you must work very hard.
Takashima is in my opinion even better because he was a classical defender. And as such,he needed to be much faster,much more precise etc.
Dima Shevchenko Posted 7 years ago
Yeah I agree
Yousaid Cool Posted 7 years ago
hey, I am 15 and started playing around 12, but i started pllaying seriously when i was 14.... what do you think? Is their a chance for me to make it big.
Thanks
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 7 years ago
Work hard and see where you can reach.
Dima Shevchenko Posted 7 years ago
This is a really interesting topic. At 7 years old serious training you will 99% be a champion if you want to be. Wish my parents made me play it at that age. Starting at 11 and improving really fast is actually okey for me. The problem for many is where they live. Many are competing for the title in some countries.
Muhammad Noman Posted 7 years ago
Playing for higher level is other thing. But if you play for enjoyment and exercise, then it is good. I started at the age of 24 and was serious after the age of 32. I had no intentions to become a national or world champion so I am happy that I am doing good.