Two Bad Königshöfer TTBL players at the Olympic Games in Paris
Two TTBL players with a connection to TSV Bad Königshofen fulfilled their dream and managed to qualify for the world's biggest sporting event in the city on the Seine. Filip Zeljko (27) was the earliest to qualify. He was nominated for the team competition as No.3 from his home country Croatia. Martin Allegro (28) received his last-minute ticket for Paris at the beginning of July. He will represent his home country Belgium.
Ideally, several table tennis players from the Bundesliga club TSV Bad Königshofen would have been candidates to take part in the Olympic Games (July 26 - August 11) in Paris. But Bastian Steger (43), two-time Olympic medal winner, has ended his international career of his own free will and for reasons of age. Jin Ueda (33), once one of Japan's top players, is also concentrating fully on the TSV and the TTBL. Kilian Ort (28), who has already beaten every top German player, had his health put a spanner in the works. And yet two TTBL players with a connection to TSV Bad Königshofen fulfilled their dream and managed to qualify for the biggest sporting event in the world in the city on the Seine.
"Speedking" Filip Zeljko from Zagreb was already in the Croatian squad for the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, albeit as no. 4 and did not get to compete. "For as long as I can remember, I've always watched the Olympics on TV and dreamed of one day being able to take part myself." On August 5, he will make his first appearance in the team competition. "It is also an extraordinary honor for me to be able to represent my country at the Olympics." Filip has resolved to remain calm and play as he would at any other tournament. "I want to play the way I've practised in training and give my best in preparation and in the tournament so that I don't have any regrets afterwards."
"After a long, successful season, I can say that I'm completely happy," emphasizes Martin Allegro. "Third with Bad Königshofen and qualified for the Olympics. This has always been my lifelong sporting dream. I wouldn't have believed that it would happen now. But I've improved so much over the last two years that it's become a reality." Martin was only able to qualify for the singles, however. His team, in which he would have been No. 2, did not make it to Paris. "And unfortunately I didn't take part in the mixed qualifiers. My minimum goal is the top 32. With a bit of luck, I might play the best tournament of my life. In any case, I'm dreaming of the round of 16."
Martin Allegro assumes that "everything will be new for me. I can't wait to live in the Olympic Village with athletes from all sports and get to know many of them. These will be top experiences of my life."
Source: Press release TSV Bad Königshofen
Featured images: Filip Zeljko and Martin Allegro (Photos: TSV Bad Königshofen)