The table tennis tournament was one of the longest and most exciting during European Games Kraków – Małopolska 2023.
Five sets of medals were awarded during table tennis competition at Hutnik Arena as part of the European Games Kraków – Małopolska 2023 – individual and team tournaments for men and women, and mixed game. The latter, mixed doubles tournament, included a double bonus – not only the gold medal, but also promotion to the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The valuable prize went to the German pair Danq QIU / Nina MITTELHAM. It was the only tournament in which Romanian Bernardette SZOCS did not win. After winning singles and team tournament she jumped onto the table.
Szocs won two gold medals, so there is no coquetry in her statement at the end of the tournament:
– To be honest, I feel like the queen of these Games. I haven’t lost a single match in Kraków individually. This is the first tournament in which I won three medals, including two gold. I am very proud of myself, I dreamed of such a tournament, as you can see, dreams come true – said clearly moved Bernardette SZOCS.
Hutnik hall was one of the hottest arenas during the European Games Kraków – Małopolska 2023 and the temperature reached its zenith when the hosts entered the game. Among the White and Reds, the Polish singles player Natalia BAJOR definitely had the best performance, defeating the Austrian European champion Sofia POLCANOVA and the French Jia YUAN in the quarterfinals.
– I will remember my second European Games forever. I liked Kraków more than Minsk four years ago. Here I had the support of fans, there was a great atmosphere, and I will remember how I called my parents and grandparents after winning against Jia YUAN for the rest of my life – said Natalia BAJOR who had best tournament of her career.
Each competition during the European Games could not take place without volunteers. Table tennis was no exception in this respect. Young people from all over the world helped players, coaches, fans, officials and media representatives find their way to the Hutnik Arena and on their way to the center of Krakow. Great applause!