ITTF New Taipei Para Open 2023 - Quotes of the Day

ITTF New Taipei Para Open 2023
Quotes of the Day

Sunday 16 th July: JUNG Younga
Q. Is this your first time to Taiwan? What’s your impression of Taiwan?
It’s my third time to Taiwan, and each time gives me different feeling. This tournament is
preparing for Paralympics in Pari, so everything is completely good, like hotels arrangement
or the food, we got some drinks and noodles in the venue. Furthermore, the referees are welltrained,
live broadcast is good, generally is satisfactory.
Q. How do you feel participating in this tournament? How have you prepared?
I’m housewife, so leaving home for two weeks makes me worried about my family and
children, but they encourage me. Also, I think I would be regretful if I’m not coming.
After confirming who I’m going to play against with, I started to watch the videos. Although
I’ve played with one of the opponents last year and won the game, the style of the player
would keep changing, so I keep watching the videos and practicing.
Q. The winning prize this time is pretty high, what’s your expectations to the prize?
Actually, I didn’t notice the prize before I came here, the ranking is more important to me.
But if I have the chance to win the prize, I would like to share with my family and take them
to have some delicacies.

Sunday 16 th July: ROSENMEIER Peter
Q. Denmark is far from Taiwan, what makes you want to participate in the tournaments?
For me it’s very important that there are two tournaments in Taiwan, first in New Taipei and
then in Taichung later. So, when we travel this far, it’s nice that we can do two tournaments
before going home.
Q. How do you feel participating in this tournament? How have you prepared?
Of course, I practiced a lot, that’s one thing, but also with the time difference. It’s six hours
difference between Denmark and Taiwan, so we have to start a little bit before going into the
time zone, it would easier for us to adjust during the tournament.
Q. What’s your goal and expectation to the tournaments?
I seek for number one and to get a lot of points for the ranking list. This is also important for
us to qualified to Paralympics in Paris next year.
I know most of the players, but I played against a guy from Korea this morning that I haven’t
played before, that’s also nice. Normally we play in Europe, Asian countries will come to us,
so, it’s nice now to be here, their home, so I like it, I like Asia.
Q. On which day did you arrived? How do you feel about Taiwan so far?
I just came here yesterday, but people in Taiwan are very friendly. That’s the first thing you
noticed. It’s quite the same in most Asian countries I think, it is another culture and people
are more opened. So, it’s nice to always get a smile everywhere you go.

Sunday 16 th July - VALERA Alvaro
Q. Is this your first time to Taiwan? What’s your impression of Taiwan?
I’ve been here in 2002 for World Championship, it’s a friendly country, people here are nice
and I like the noodles, rice and spring rolls.
Q. Spain is quite far from Taiwan, what makes you want to participate in the tournaments?
The flight is 15 hours from Spain, but it’s interesting and a good opportunity to play two
tournaments in same country. Also, the two tournaments are helping with the points and
ranking to Paralympics in Paris, in additionally, we can play with top players.
Q. What’s your goal and expectation to the tournaments?
Well, my biggest goal is to win the gold medal in the both tournaments.
Q. The winning prize this time is pretty high, what’s your expectations to the prize?
It would be the extra motivation, and it would be nice to get the price, because I could buy
some Taiwanese food or nice gifts for myself, and spend nice weekend after I go back to
Barcelona.
Q. How do you think the organizers run this tournament?
The hosting in generally is satisfactory, like the hotels, transportation and the bus, sport
venue and the cooling system are all good, generally is pretty good.

Monday 17 th July: CUESTA MARTINEZ Eduardo
Q. Why do you want to participate in this competition since Taiwan is far away from
Spain?
The tournaments are related to the world ranking for getting to Paralympics in Paris.
We come here to win some points to improve world ranking. So, in this time, the
Spanish team think this is a good opportunity to come to Taiwan because there is one
factor of 40 here in New Taipei City and one factor of 20 in Taichung.
Q. How did you prepare for this competition? Did you do some special trainee?
I have trained in the Sports Center in Madrid in Spain. And there, received specific
training with other players and also played with different players.
Q. What are your goals?
I had confidence in all the training that I have done through. Therefore, I definitely
want to win the medal. This goal is difficult to achieve because the opponents from
Korea, Japan and other players are so good at playing table tennis. But I will still try my
best to win the prize.
Q. In this tournament, which part do you think is the best?
I like the environment here. The sports venue, hotel, transportation, etc. The venue is
very nice so I enjoy every matches. Also, transportation is very convenient. There are
many buses and many transportations so that we can easily go everywhere by bus or
other transportation.

Monday 17 th July: KIM Younggun
Q. Which player left the most special impression to you?
Compare to Day 1, all the players improve a lot day by day. I can’t wait to have the new
matches with other opponents in Taichung. And it also reminds me to become much
stronger and don’t let down guard. I should be fully ready and focus on every match.
Q. What do you think about your performance today? How about the Final?
Before came to Taiwan, I thought I could easily win the price. However, lots of
opponents are good at playing and have excellent skills, which makes me very nervous.
But after readjustment I was more concentrative on the match.
For the Final, because I had fought with the opponents (ASTAN Adyos) three times
before and I won every time. Therefore, I am confidence to win, but I think the most
important thing is being completely focus on the match, and finally I won the medal.
Q. What do you want to do with the prize?
Because I’m married, I will give all the prize and money to my wife.
Q. What do you think the best part of this competition?
The whole process is excellent and I think the hotel we stay is pretty nice. Also, I need
to praise for the meal. It is so good.

Monday 17 th July: SAINT PIERRE Alexandra
Q. What makes you come participating the tournament?
It’s my first time to Asia, but I always keep opened-mind. And I want to win points to qualify
in Paralympics in Paris and gain some winning experience.
Q. How do you feel about participating in this tournament? How did you prepare for it?
My first big international competition is World Championships last year. And this time isn’t so
nervous and stressful. Before coming here, I went to different Opens and competitions, and
also spent 50 hours a week to practice in France.
Q. What impressed you the most about the tournament?
There is a translator by our side, being careful to what we need. It’s the first-time having
translator by side, pretty good. In additionally, the place is big and there are so many players.
It’s important and good to us since we want to win the qualification to Paralympics in Paris.
Q. After arriving in Taiwan, is there any place you’ve visited or anything you’ve tried?
I’ve visited Taipei 101 and Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, both of them are good. And the
food here is good, too. I love Ramen in Taiwan.

Tuesday 18 th July: KUSNANTO Kusnanto & TATEISHI Arufuahirokazu
Q. How was the experience playing double phase with players from another country?
TATEISHI Arufuahirokazu: Because we’re from two totally different countries, so, it’s very
important for us to respect and understand each other. This not only help me for playing
games, but also makes me be a more empathetic and better person in society.
KUSNANTO Kusnanto:
Q. Is it difficult to communicate with each other?
KUSNANTO Kusnanto: It’s a little bit difficult for me since I can’t speak English. But we would
communicate through our playing skills and movements. For example, I’m good at smashing
with both hands, but TATEISHI plays good at the right side, so I focus more on the left side, we
have a great match.
TATEISHI Arufuahirokazu: We didn’t know each other before and it motivates us more to be
familiar with each other. This is the reason why we would trust and help each other more. So,
we not only communicated with little English, but also could do some movements and
understanded more easily.
Q. How do you feel about this tournament?
TATEISHI Arufuahirokazu: I came to Taiwan so many times, but it’s the first time to have Para
Open in New Taipei city, people work at this tournament are all kind, it makes me feel warm.
KUSNANTO Kusnanto: It’s very comfortable during these days, no matter the environment,
the meal or the people, are all good to me. And this tournament is a good experience for me
to prepare more games in the future. Because I want to improve my ranking from 30 to top
10.

Tuesday 18 th July: MONTANUS Jean-Paul & VAN ZON Kelly
Q. What makes you taking far flight to be here?
VAN: Because of table tennis I travel many times to Asia but never in Taiwan, so, when I see the
tournament on the list, I really want to see Taiwan, really curious about here.
MONTANUS: I like the Asian culture as well, I arrived here early, on 22 nd June and went to Hsinchu
visiting my friend for 12 days. He took care of me and brought me to several table tennis training clubs.
So, I had preparation and training camps there. It was a great experience and very helpful.
Q. Traveling so far to Taiwan, what’s your impression of Taiwan?
MONTANUS: Before I came here, I didn’t know much. But I found that people are so friendly, and when
you go outside it’s really hot. Also, you have different type of food here, it’s much fancier, coming here
is like being a different world, so, my impression of Taiwan now is very positive.
VAN: Comped to Europe, people here are so friendly and very helpful. Whenever I need help, like with
some groceries or my bag, people are very welcoming you in the hotel, being opened to you. You can
feel that they really like you to be here, they want you to enjoy in Taiwan. It’s hard to tell, but really a
big plus to Taiwan.
Q. You’ve played so many international games before, what are your goals and expectations of this
tournament?
VAN: To be honest, there aren’t many tournaments with prize money, it’s not the main reason why we
come here, but it’s always nice to win the gold medal and take a little bit money back to Netherlands.
My goal is to win all of my matches, and I did it in women single phase, really glad to.
MONTANUS: For me it’s one of the reasons to be motivated to play, if there is prize money. It makes it
really special, because in Para table tennis there isn’t lot of prize money. So, this is a great opportunity
for us to feel like a professional tournament. And organization is really well-done, really happy to be
here. But also, my goal is to win as much as I can and try to enjoy playing here.
Q. What do you think about the tournament in general?
VAN: This is a great tournament, it’s well-organized, what impressed me the most is that all the table
has livestream, everything for me is good. So, I’ll definitely come back one day. Like I said, I really like
Taiwan and I think there is much more to explore. But because I was here just two days before
tournament started and leave directly after it finished. So, maybe next year I can combine little holidays
with the tournament and back to here.
MONTANUS: The quality of the hall and also the people work here, included referees, volunteers are
all good. Especially the open ceremony and the dinner is quite unique, it’s only what you got in Asia,
in Europe we don’t really do that. We got high-quality meal, so I was greatly appreciated.

Wednesday 19 th July: GUSTAFSSON Daniel Sune Stefan & ANDERSSON Emil
Q. How do you think about the tournament after playing four days?
ANDERSSON Emil: My body is more tired now because of the four days, and we’re going to
Taichung for next tournament. It’s the first time participating in two tournaments in same
country, it would be something new. After playing one tournament, it’s easier to prepare
directly when the game started but also would be tired, so you have to build the energy on
the off days.
GUSTAFSSON Daniel Sune Stefan: It’s a good tournament with a good stadium, so many games
but it follows the schedule.
Q. Since you came so far, how’s the experience being in Taiwan?
ANDERSSON Emil: It’s a so-long trip for us, about 17-hour flight, and the differences of the
time and the weather is different from Europe, this is special and otherwise is good.
GUSTAFSSON Daniel Sune Stefan: The people are kind here and could communicate in English
is also good. And we tried to sleep at the right time during the flight.
ANDERSSON Emil: We arrived on 13 th July, some days earlier, that was important to get the
right time and prepare for the tournament. We tried to stay up long as we can on the first day,
and I think it worked good for both of us, because we got good time now.
Q. The medalists will get some prize money; how do you think about this?
ANDERSSON Emil: In my 15-years career, it’s the second time to have prize money, it’s nice.
And I think if this competition stays for another years, maybe more players would be in Taiwan.
That’s one key to have a good tournament.
Q. What would you want to do with your prize money?
ANDERSSON Emil: Maybe we’ll buy some food for out teams and celebrate for the medals
tonight, maybe we would try the night market.