Natalia Partyka, one of the most successful differently-abled paddlers, says she is as normal as anyone.
Born without right hand, Partyka has taken part in five consecutive Paralympics from 2000 and won four gold medals in singles and has taken part in three Olympics since 2008 Beijing.
It is no easy feat for it requires regular practice, focus and drive to compete in both para and normal events. “I am lucky,” said the Polish player with a disarming smile, “to be doing what I love. My coaches and friends have helped me [along the way].”
Partyka credits her parents for what she is today. “I was born like this. It would have been difficult for them [my parents] too. What they taught me holds good even today. As a kid, I learnt to tie my own shoelaces, and now thanks to them, I handle [almost] everything on my own.”
At the Ceat-Ultimate Table Tennis League here as a reserve player, Partyka is determined to play. She is hoping that she gets a chance to showcase her attacking style. “I want to play but at the same time I don’t want anybody to get injured. I hope I get a chance,” she said.
Partyka said the League was not only good for Indians but also for other players. “It is a great idea. Table tennis needs this. Indians are improving. Now it is not easy to beat them,” she said.
She has won almost everything in para table tennis. She has clinched four gold medals in singles in Olympics and multiple World championship titles and quite a few European championship medals.
“I have won titles in para event 2-3 times,” she said. She insisted that she was quite busy competing in both para and normal events.
Her best performance was when she reached the quarterfinals of the ITTF World Tour Qatar Open in February this year. She beat quite a few higher-ranked players, including China’s Wu Yang, Korea Republic’s Yang Ha-eun and Germany’s Shan Xiaona. “I can still do a lot better,” she said.
She gets the inspiration to keep improving by competing in para events. “Every event I play, I see a lot of differently-abled athletes, and get motivated by their stories. Disability is nothing. They enjoy their life, showing us that our problems are very small.”
Currently playing in the Czech League, Partyka, ranked 65 in the world, is eager to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Games and reach the top 40 in a couple of years. “Hopefully I can qualify in 2020 in both Paralympics and Olympics,” she said.
