Boris Travnicek

Started: He took up the sport in 2011. (inspirante.cz, 03 Feb 2021) Reason: "My first contact with wheelchair table tennis was when I was in the rehabilitation centre in the autumn of 2011. My parents came to see me on the weekends, and when we found out that there was a table tennis table in the hostel, we started playing. I didn't try any other sports as I enjoyed table tennis. As soon as I returned from the rehabilitation centre I registered with SK Moravia Brno. I started practising with able-bodied players about a year-and-a-half later, when I joined the SK Olsany club." (inspirante.cz, 03 Feb 2021) Ambition: To win gold at the Paralympic Games, the world championships and the European championships. (inspirante.cz, 02 Feb 2024) Additional Info: REPRESENTING SLOVAKIA Based in Czechia, he is eligible to represent Slovakia through his mother. "In February 2015 I was at a tournament in Hodonin [Czechia] and the Slovakian national team was there. At the end of the first day of play, the coach of the Slovakian national team Sasa Dragas asked me if I would be interested in representing Slovakia. My dad was with me at the tournament, so we talked about it and agreed. Since my mother is originally from Slovakia, it was not a problem to obtain citizenship. A week later, I began training in Slovakia." (inspirante.cz, 02 Feb 2024, 03 Feb 2021) SERVICE STRENGTH He believes a particular strength of his game is his serve. "My biggest weapon is my serve. I dare say that among players in a wheelchair I am one of the best in this area, and it even causes able-bodied opponents problems." (inspirante.cz, 03 Feb 2021)