Keeping up with athletes: Home court life with junior table tennis players

Keeping up with the Athletes is a feature series that profiles young athletes whose formative years in their respective sports are challenged by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

These formative years are arguably one of the most important periods in the lives of these young athletes as it prepares them for the collegiate level and possibly even beyond it. The stories of these players will provide a glimpse into how they cope and train in the new normal. 

Newfound struggles 

Teen table tennis athletes Paul Catan and Raffy Locsin admit the past months have been quite tough for varsity players like them.

With the pandemic forcing them to train at home, the two La Salle Green Hills seniors and table tennis team members share they’ve been struggling to meet the demands required in their sport.

“It’s sad to think that we might not even be used to the feel of the ball anymore,” said Locsin.

Without a training area nor opponents to face off against, Catan and Locsin shared that among their current challenges are efficient movement as well as proper ball handling. 

As a table tennis athlete, these two aspects significantly impact a player’s performance. 

“During the first month, we really had zero training, but when we realized that this was going to be a long-term lockdown, our coaches gave us a few footwork and endurance workouts and that’s what we’ve been doing ever since,” said Catan. 

Stalled opportunities

Catan and Locsin, who are playing their final years on the team, had to deal with the heartbreak of seeing their major tournaments get canceled.

One of the tournaments that fell victim to the pandemic was the NCAA competition, which was shaping up to be a definite highlight of their playing career.

It would’ve been Catan and Locsin’s third appearance in the league. The opportunity was also particularly special for both as they sought to showcase their talents to coaches who were scouting for recruits in the collegiate scene.

“Now, we’re a bit worried about how we will be able to show our skills,” said Catan.

“We are planning to continue with table tennis in college, but now, we guess we have to work a little harder to get into the school of our choice and into the varsity teams.”

Past the pandemic

For now, Catan and Locsin try to focus more on their final academic year in high school.

With online distance learning, the two athletes must manage with only a few practice drills and exercises to help keep their fitness in check.

Like Catan and Locsin, young student-athletes who are about to enter the collegiate scene are left with no other choice but to remain steadfast and hope for the best. 

When asked about the future of table tennis in the country after the pandemic, the two were skeptical to give a definite answer.

“I feel like it’s going to be the same,” said Locsin. “But now that most of us don’t have the proper training, the level of competition might be a little bit lower than before.”

Catan, though, tried to be more hopeful. Given that the sport is a relatively no-contact sport, he thinks table tennis may find its way around present limitations.

At the moment, amateur sports are still not allowed to resume training and competition.

Despite the current level of uncertainty around the sport, however, Catan and Locsin remain committed to improve on their skills as they await their return to action. – Renzo Guevara/Rappler.com