August 4, 2008
Werner Schlager - The Latest Version Better than the One that Brought the Highest Honor
 Werner Schlager straining every sinew en route to gold at the 2008 Europe Top Twelve Photo By: Ayoade Ademakinwa |
Courtesy of ITTF Victory over Wang Liqin from a seemingly impossible position, a nail-biting win against Kong Linghui and an assured performance in the final, when faced with Joo Se Hyuk, are contests printed indelibly in the memories of those who had the privilege to be present. |
Surely, Werner Schlager has never played better!
Different View
Yet, that is not the opinion of the Austrian star as he prepares for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
He believes that the Werner Schlager 2008 version would beat the Werner Schlager 2003 model.
Great Changes
"Table tennis has changed dramatically since 2003 and it is still changing", explained Werner Schlager. "The game is now much faster, accuracy is more precise and physical fitness gets more and more important."
Sport moves forward as does the rest of life at a quite alarming pace, faster than ever in the history of mankind.
Follow Developments
"Top players must follow the developments of sport or fall behind", continued Werner Schlager. "If I had not kept pace with development, I would now probably be around one hundred on the world ranking."
The argument is valid and players must keep up-to-date with matters but whatever progress is made, whatever research is followed; there are those days when everything falls into place; that was the case in the spring of 2003 for Werner Schlager.
Everything in Place
"In Bercy I was in very good shape, especially mentally", said Werner Schlager. "Secondly, I liked the draw, I enjoyed playing against the opponents I had to face, although they were among the best in the world; also, I liked the playing conditions, they were excellent."
Undoubtedly, the French Table Tennis Federation deserves congratulations for delivering a superb tournament; it was first class and that will most certainly be the situation in the superb surroundings of the Peking University Gymnasium for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
In Form
The Austrian star is looking forward to the challenge and after an understandable lull in fortunes since his epic win in 2003, he has shown good form in 2008.
He won the Men's Singles title at the Europe Top Twelve in Frankfurt, earlier in the year was a notable success.
Comparing Tournaments
So how does the challenge of the Olympic Games compare with the World Championships?
"At the World Championships, it is tougher because more good players, six to seven per country", explained Werner Schlager. "At the Olympic Games there is a limit of three per country, so gaining a good result at the end of the day may be slightly easier."
Mental Aspect Crucial
However, playing against the Chinese on the home soil will be a daunting task but Werner Schlager proved he can beat the stars of world table tennis in 2003 and there is an air of confidence.
As to whether he is better player in 2008 than five years ago is a matter of opinion but the fact that he believes in himself may well prove the telling factor, sport is mental as well as physical duel.
Events
Werner Schlager competes in the Men's Singles and in the Men's Team event with Chen Weixing and Robert Gardos.
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