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Check out my Podcast Talkin' Smash!
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Check out my Podcast Talkin' Smash!
TeamJOOLA
Well I won the interview showdown, for those of you who voted for me THANK YOU, you were right 
of course. I have to understand that Vladi is a very busy player and newly appointed Chairman of the players commission so the repsonse wasn't quite the depth I had hoped for. However, interview with a former world number 1 I can't possibly complain!
View the original content at http://matthetherington.blogspot.com/2011/09/response-from-legend-of-sport-vladimir.html
A Response from a Legend of the Sport Vladimir Samsonov
Well folks, I won the Interview Showdown and achieved an incredible feat for this small blog and am buzzing! Vladimir Samsonov is an inspirational European player often overshadowed by Timo as one of the greatest European players of all time. Having maintained a top 10 position in the ITTF World Rankings for a number of years now, Samsonov shows how experience, hard training and superior knowledge of the game can continue to bring the wins for those who are committed to the sport. Thank you Vladi for the interview! Enjoy people
Full Name: Vladimir Samsonov
Age: 35
Date Of Birth: 17.04.1976
Nation represented: Belarus
Highest World Ranking: 1
Equipment Used?
Blade: Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro
FH Rubber: Tibhar Genius
BH Rubber: Tibhar Grips Europe
Vladimir Samsonov former World Number 1
Image Courtesy of Getty Images
Your Career
How long have you been playing table tennis for, when and how did you start?
Almost 30 years , started when I was 6 , first time played with my father
Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far?
I worked with 4 amazing coaches for a long period of time , and also of course my family
What has been the highlight of your table tennis career so far?
I have been world number 1, won 3 times the World Cup, 3 times European Championships in singles , silver medal at the World Championships in singles
What's does your training schedule for a week period involve?
Mostly I practise twice a day , total of 4-6 hours a day
What is your next big goal for table tennis?
Olympic medal is still a big dream for me
Who has been your biggest rival out on the table since you started playing?
Used to be few generations of Chinese players , JO Waldner , Timo Boll , now many others also, upcoming players
What do you think is the most important thing in table tennis for becoming a successful player on the international stage?
I do not think you can single out one individual thing, there are too many factors like talent ,good training conditions , will to train hard, etc. all of these are important in making a successful player
What was it like winning 3 World Cups? Is this a feat you hope to achieve again in the near future?
It was great , especially the last one (beating Ma Long and Chen Qi). Of course I hope I can win again, only it is not that easy. Vladimir has won the World Cup 3 times, the record held by Ma Lin (China) is 4 victories of the World Cup. Best of luck to Vladi in contesting the 2011 World Cup and his chance to make more history.
Vladimir the Victor at the 2009 Table Tennis Mens World Cup
Image Courtesy of www.allabouttabletennis.com
You have consistenly remained in the World's Top 10 Mens players for some time now, how do you keep on top of the new upcoming players, do you feel experience is a large factor?
I still practise a lot and there are not many new players . Of course experience is very important , still it will not help you if your opponent is much better than you
Why do you think China currently dominate the sport and what does Europe need to do to bring players to that level?
Chinese work harder , are more professional , more organized, also they have many more players . Most of top Europeans live far away from each other , we should practise more together like the Chinese do, this seems to work for them and is something we lack
Is there a tournament title that has evaded you so far that you have been working very hard to win?
Olympic Games
What has been your proudest moment out on the table?
Each victory is special
What one thing do you consider to be most important in becoming a great table tennis player?
I do not think you can single out one thing , too many factors like talent ,good training conditions , will to train hard, etc. are important . (same answer like to the - What do you think is the most important thing in table tennis for becoming a successful player on the international stage?- question )
Off the Topic Questions
Who’s your favourite sportsperson of all time?
Michael Jordan
Favourite food?
Pancakes
What do you do when you aren't playing table tennis?
Enjoying time with my family
Dream Car?
Not interested
Ideal holiday destination?
Formentera, Spain
First thing you would do if you won $1million?
Celebrate with my family and friends
Your Team Mates
Dimitri Ovtcharov , Alexei Smirnov , Fedor Kuzmin
Who’s the funniest player in the training hall?
Petr Korbel
Who trains the hardest in the training hall?
Robert Gardos
World Cup Final 2009, Samsonov vs Chen Qi
And Lastly
Would you like to add one last tip, or an inspirational message for other table tennis players looking to succeed?
I know it sounds silly – train hard and believe in yourself .
Thank you Vladimir, from all of us, please continue to believe you can be the very best and inspire us to do the same!
of course. I have to understand that Vladi is a very busy player and newly appointed Chairman of the players commission so the repsonse wasn't quite the depth I had hoped for. However, interview with a former world number 1 I can't possibly complain!View the original content at http://matthetherington.blogspot.com/2011/09/response-from-legend-of-sport-vladimir.html
A Response from a Legend of the Sport Vladimir Samsonov
Well folks, I won the Interview Showdown and achieved an incredible feat for this small blog and am buzzing! Vladimir Samsonov is an inspirational European player often overshadowed by Timo as one of the greatest European players of all time. Having maintained a top 10 position in the ITTF World Rankings for a number of years now, Samsonov shows how experience, hard training and superior knowledge of the game can continue to bring the wins for those who are committed to the sport. Thank you Vladi for the interview! Enjoy people
Full Name: Vladimir Samsonov
Age: 35
Date Of Birth: 17.04.1976
Nation represented: Belarus
Highest World Ranking: 1
Equipment Used?
Blade: Tibhar Samsonov Force Pro
FH Rubber: Tibhar Genius
BH Rubber: Tibhar Grips Europe
Vladimir Samsonov former World Number 1
Image Courtesy of Getty Images
Your Career
How long have you been playing table tennis for, when and how did you start?
Almost 30 years , started when I was 6 , first time played with my father
Who has been the biggest influence on your career so far?
I worked with 4 amazing coaches for a long period of time , and also of course my family
What has been the highlight of your table tennis career so far?
I have been world number 1, won 3 times the World Cup, 3 times European Championships in singles , silver medal at the World Championships in singles
What's does your training schedule for a week period involve?
Mostly I practise twice a day , total of 4-6 hours a day
What is your next big goal for table tennis?
Olympic medal is still a big dream for me
Who has been your biggest rival out on the table since you started playing?
Used to be few generations of Chinese players , JO Waldner , Timo Boll , now many others also, upcoming players
What do you think is the most important thing in table tennis for becoming a successful player on the international stage?
I do not think you can single out one individual thing, there are too many factors like talent ,good training conditions , will to train hard, etc. all of these are important in making a successful player
What was it like winning 3 World Cups? Is this a feat you hope to achieve again in the near future?
It was great , especially the last one (beating Ma Long and Chen Qi). Of course I hope I can win again, only it is not that easy. Vladimir has won the World Cup 3 times, the record held by Ma Lin (China) is 4 victories of the World Cup. Best of luck to Vladi in contesting the 2011 World Cup and his chance to make more history.
Vladimir the Victor at the 2009 Table Tennis Mens World Cup
Image Courtesy of www.allabouttabletennis.com
You have consistenly remained in the World's Top 10 Mens players for some time now, how do you keep on top of the new upcoming players, do you feel experience is a large factor?
I still practise a lot and there are not many new players . Of course experience is very important , still it will not help you if your opponent is much better than you
Why do you think China currently dominate the sport and what does Europe need to do to bring players to that level?
Chinese work harder , are more professional , more organized, also they have many more players . Most of top Europeans live far away from each other , we should practise more together like the Chinese do, this seems to work for them and is something we lack
Is there a tournament title that has evaded you so far that you have been working very hard to win?
Olympic Games
What has been your proudest moment out on the table?
Each victory is special
What one thing do you consider to be most important in becoming a great table tennis player?
I do not think you can single out one thing , too many factors like talent ,good training conditions , will to train hard, etc. are important . (same answer like to the - What do you think is the most important thing in table tennis for becoming a successful player on the international stage?- question )
Off the Topic Questions
Who’s your favourite sportsperson of all time?
Michael Jordan
Favourite food?
Pancakes
What do you do when you aren't playing table tennis?
Enjoying time with my family
Dream Car?
Not interested
Ideal holiday destination?
Formentera, Spain
First thing you would do if you won $1million?
Celebrate with my family and friends
Your Team Mates
Dimitri Ovtcharov , Alexei Smirnov , Fedor Kuzmin
Who’s the funniest player in the training hall?
Petr Korbel
Who trains the hardest in the training hall?
Robert Gardos
And Lastly
Would you like to add one last tip, or an inspirational message for other table tennis players looking to succeed?
I know it sounds silly – train hard and believe in yourself .
Thank you Vladimir, from all of us, please continue to believe you can be the very best and inspire us to do the same!
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