JOOLA USA

Interview with Amaresh Sahu

By Larry Hodges

Age/DOB: 16/October 5, 1991

Home Club: Club JOOLA Rockville, MDTTC, Baltimore Table Tennis Club

Equipment

Racket: Rossi Force (St.)

Forehand sponge: Mambo H Red 2.0

Backhand sponge: Mambo H Black 2.0

Shoes: JOOLA Bend

What are your best titles or rankings?

• 2008 Junior Boys National Team, 1st Alternate
• 2007 MDTTC Butterfly October Open Finalist
• 2007 Mathew Murad Under 16 Boys, Under 18 Boys Champion, Under 22 Men Finalist
• 2007 Eastern Open Under 16 Boys, Under 2250 Champion, Under 22 Men and Under 2375 Finalist
• 2006 Cadet Boys National Team Member
• 2004 Junior Nationals Under 14 Champion
• 2004 Junior Olympic Gold Medal in Teams, Silver Medal in Doubles
• 2003 Junior Olympic Gold Medal in Singles, Doubles, and Teams

When and how did you start playing?

I started playing when I was almost 8 years old.  My older brother found a nearby club, the Maryland Table Tennis Center, and I started taking lessons with Coach Jack Huang.  Once I started playing, I was hooked and have continued ever since. 

Describe your playing style.

 I feel that I have good control, and am generally a mid-distance looper.

Who are your coaches, past or present? Who do you practice with?

I started lessons with Jack Huang, and then supplemented this with Coach Cheng Yinghua.  Currently I practice once a week with Cheng and once a week with former Russian National Team Coach Boris Shafir.  I generally practice with high-level players around the area, including Peter Li, Qassim Aziz, Joseph Wang, Richard Lee, and many others.  In addition to lessons and general practice, I also participate in the Club JOOLA Junior Training sessions on Saturdays.

What are you currently working on?

Right now I'm working on my footwork, which is somewhat lacking.  I am also trying to bring up my overall level.

What are your table tennis goals – short-, intermediate- and long-term?

In the near future, I want to do well at the U.S. Open in the Junior Boys event, and win the Under 18 Event at the Junior Olympics.  Making the national team at the Nationals in December is also a top priority.  Long-term goals include making the 2012 Olympic Team, and becoming a member of the U.S. National Team.

What are your interests outside table tennis?

I enjoy reading manga, playing soccer, hanging around with friends, and just relaxing in general.

I really want to thank all the people who have supported me, because without their help my current status would not be possible.  Included are my parents, coaches, friends (both table tennis and non) and my sponsor, JOOLA.