Bajor, who finished the year ranked 56th in the world, stressed that he was satisfied with the past 12 months.
– Especially considering that I missed the whole of April due to injury. When I got back into the game I felt great, later things were different, but despite everything I managed to play in many tournaments. The fourth place in the European Games and the information at the end of the year that I qualified for the European TOP 16 tournament were rewards for my hard work, he noted.
Table tennis player Enea Siarkopoulou Tarnobrzeg considered it a great success to enter the event held in Krakow, where he reached the semi-finals. On her way to the top four, she defeated, among others, Sofia Polkanova of Austria and Jia Nan Yuan of France. The pole was only stopped by Bernadette Shotz of Romania, who later won the gold.
– The two best players from each country played in the games, so the whole European elite came. I made it to the semifinals, then lost the bronze medal match, but it was still a good tournament for me, he said.
The high number of starts meant that in recent months Beyor only came home to pack his bag as he had to move soon. The journey didn't always go as planned.
– I had a snowstorm in Munich in December. I was stuck in Germany and about to start over. I looked for different ways to get back, but the planes were not flying. Finally, I returned by bus. It was tense, but I survived. However, I still prefer such adventures than, for example, sitting at home due to an injury – he added with a smile.
Bayor had to compete in international tournaments while playing in the Polish top league. As he admitted, it wasn't much of a problem.
– It is difficult, but we – table tennis players – actually live from the league and this is very important. Fortunately, there are now eight teams competing instead of 10, which means a little less games and less travel. Many club players play in the national team and in tournaments, so we are adapted to accommodate everything. Sometimes you are very tired, you are tired of sitting in the car or on the plane, but I am not complaining. You have to grit your teeth and work for yourself, said the player.
He said he finally had a little more time for himself and his loved ones before the end of the year, but he'll be back on the road in January. 2024 is the year of the Olympic Games and that means even more games.
– 16 teams will play at the Olympics and each of them will be guaranteed two places in the individual tournament. The next chance to go to Paris will be in May during the individual qualifying tournament. There will be six seats. The third way is to advance in the world ranking, where the eight best performances will be taken into account. It is difficult to predict how many places will be ranked, Bayor explained briefly.
Polish representatives, including Bajor, will start the new year by participating in the WTT Star Contender tournament in Doha (January 8-13). Upon his return, the Siarkopolis player will play in the TOP 16 of Europe, where he will be seeded at number 9.
– 2023 was crazy, but the new year will be even crazier. Previously, ranking 56th meant that I could be forgotten about in the main events of most tournaments, but now I know that I will have to fight my way to qualification. Before the Olympics, many players sign up for “ranking” at each tournament. Even those who have already qualified for Paris will play for seeding at the Olympics. It will be difficult, but the most important thing is health. As long as there are no injuries, everything should be fine, Bayor concluded.
jb, PAP