INTERVIEW: ALEXANDRE ANK, PARAPORTING CHAMPION

BTTC: When have you started competing?

Alexandre Ank: February 2002, in Uberlândia.

BTTC: How it happened?

Ank: I was about to compete in the Open Games of Uberlândia in the Swimming category, but then I was presented to the Table Tennis.

BTTC: Have you learned to play in the event?

Ank: Yes. Roberto Alves, of the Brazilian Table Tennis Confederation for the Adapted (BTTCA), borrowed me his racket and taught me. It was a surprise when I was Beginning Champion and was third in Team.

BTTC: In which category do you play?

Ank: I play in the Classroom 4.

BTTC: When you were initiated in the sport, it was your intention to evolve in the Table Tennis or to come back competing in Swimming?

Ank: Both of them. Truly, I wanted to evolve in a sport witch structure. I obtained that in the Table Tennis.

BTTC: Which is your most important title?

Ank: I was ParaPan American Champion in Team, at Mar del Plata, last July. I did not play the World Peace Games, but if I did I would stand a chance. I also earned, in December 2004, the Tango Cup - Argentina's World Open, both in Team and Individual. I was vice-champion of Abradecar and, last year, Abradecar´s National and Regional Champion.

BTTC: What's your next purpose?

Ank: Compete in Goiânia, November 11 to 13, for BTTCA.