RICARDO KOJIMA HAS PACKED HIS LUGGAGE FOR CHINA

At 17 years old, Ricardo Kojima is getting ready for the biggest challenge of his career as a table tennis player. Ricardo, who in the Brazilian Junior Open is playing beside Efraim Carvalho in the teams' tournament, has packed his luggage for an internship in China. The Brazilian teenager departs for land of table tennis in December.

The athlete believes that the three months of practice in China will be a milestone in his life.

 

"I am going to China because there is where the prime of table tennis world is. I know it will be a challenge to be away from home, but I know it will be worth it", said Ricardo.

 

He, who is the Latin American 2005 champion beside Efraim Carvalho, Guilherme Bergamini and Eric Mancini, is aware of the importance of this training in China.

 

"Whoever wants to standout has to travel. I hope to learn a lot with the Chinese and to be able to apply the teaching on the tournaments", explained him.

 

Kojima also knows that 2006 will be fundamental for his table tennis career. It will be the last season he will be playing as a junior and it will be the ideal time to secure his place in the national team:

 

"After the generation of Gustavo Tsuboi and Cazuo Matsumoto, there was a balance in the junior's category. I want make my name permanent in the Brazilian team and win more titles".