Born in 1989 in the port city of Gdansk, Poland, Natalia Partyka unfortunately lost half of her right arm. Her disability did not clip the girl's “wings”.
Born in 1989 in the port city of Gdansk, Poland, Natalia Partyka unfortunately lost half of her right arm. Her disability did not clip the girl's “wings”. Quite the opposite. The determined young woman twice became Olympic table tennis champion for people with disabilities (in 2004, aged 15, and in 2008 – aged 19). Recently the legendary champion told the online newspaper “Skarb” about the source of the strength that has helped her succeed in sport and in everyday life.
Natalia Partyka, the Olympic champion at the table tennis table.
How did you start playing table tennis?
It is all thanks to my older sister Sandra, who is three years older than me. She started training at the city table tennis club while I watched her from the bench. I first picked up a bat and started training with her when I was seven, after her coach teased me: “If you are jealous of your sister, you can give it a try!”.
You were born missing half an arm. As a child, did you feel inferior to your peers?
Not at all. I had quite a few friends, girls and boys, who accepted me and never made me feel different from them. Of course, there were also quite a few people who mocked my congenital disability and kept their distance. But I did not mind. I got on with my own life. I lived normally, like any other child. My parents threw me into the “deep end” early on, so I had to learn to manage everything in daily life by myself.
Have you ever resented fate for having only one arm?
Never. I accept myself, I do what I enjoy and, what is more – with no bad results. I organise my independent life and manage everything by myself.
How do you manage everyday life by yourself?
Like everyone else. Although I am not married, two years ago I asked my parents' permission to live on my own. So I have to organise my own life in the flat I am paying for myself in instalments. I have bought a car and have a driving licence, so I do not depend on anyone at all.
You could have stayed at home crying about your fate, yet you became an Olympic champion…
In theory, having lost half an arm, I could have stayed at home crying about my unlucky fate, but what would that achieve? It would be a real waste of time. From the moment I realised table tennis was my passion, I wanted to be the best player. I also played in a club for people with disabilities, where I met people whom fate had treated far worse than me, yet they played table tennis brilliantly, lived independently and achieved their own dreams. I looked at them and longed to live like them. So I trained tirelessly instead of feeling sorry for myself. After a few years, the first results came. Of course it was not easy. It was hard work, day after day. But every victory, however small, brought me great joy. The truth is that I was sometimes exhausted, but I still put on my backpack and hurried to the training hall. Everything becomes possible as soon as a person has ambition.
Do you still remember how it felt to win for the first time?
I was only 11 that year. All I remember is that I was the youngest athlete at the Games, so I felt like the youngest member of the Polish team. Everyone looked after me to help me feel less homesick.
At 15, when you won Olympic gold in Athens, Greece
That was a victory that brought me great joy. But the European Youth Championships, held a month earlier, moved me even more. I won the gold medal in the women's singles. It was a big surprise for everyone. No one believed I was a title contender, but I beat many excellent players and won the gold medal. Both my coach and I could not hold back our tears after the final.
Besides competitions for people with disabilities, you also take part in some competitions (such as the National Championships and the European Championships) for fully able-bodied players. Does beating “ordinary” female opponents bring you greater joy?
Every victory is a great joy. Because I turned professional many years ago and train every day with able-bodied players, beating them is only natural.
(From Gotowa do gry – an interview with Natalia Partyka)
Vinh Thu