Polcanova Secures Austria's First Table Tennis World Championship Medal Since 2003

Austrian table tennis is celebrating a significant achievement at the World Championship in Doha, as Sofia Polcanova has won the country's first medal since Werner Schlager's remarkable victory in Paris in 2003. Polcanova, alongside her Romanian doubles partner Bernadette Szöcs, secured a spot in the semifinals after defeating the German duo Yuan Wan and Sabine Winter with a score of 3-1. This victory ensures that they will walk away with at least a bronze medal.

In the semifinals, scheduled for Saturday, Polcanova and Szöcs will face South Korean competitors Yubin Shin and Hanna Ryu. The Korean team made headlines by eliminating the top-seeded Japanese pair of Satsuki Odo and Sakura Yokoi, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.

Polcanova and Szöcs are recognized as the top female European players, showcasing their prowess on the international stage. Polcanova, from Linz, made history last October by defending her European Championship title at home, defeating Szöcs in a dramatic final. Currently, Szöcs ranks as the highest-rated European player, sitting at twelfth in the world standings, which speaks to the caliber of this partnership.

The duo's experience played a crucial role in their success, particularly during the round of 16, where they overcame the Czech-Slovak champions Hana Matelova and Barboara Balazova after initially falling behind in sets.

The recent achievement has brought joy to the Austrian table tennis community. Liu Jia, the newly appointed vice president of the Austrian Table Tennis Federation, expressed enthusiasm for Polcanova's medal win, highlighting the unity and support within the Austrian table tennis family. Jarek Kolodziejczyk, head of the Austrian delegation, also conveyed optimism for the upcoming match against the South Korean pair, emphasizing that the team is hungry for more success.

In individual events, both Polcanova and Robert Gardos were eliminated in the second round, while Daniel Habesohn faced a similar fate in the round of 16, along with Polcanova and Gardos in the mixed doubles event.

Polcanova's recent success can be attributed to a shift in her mental approach. Following her initial European Championship victory in 2022, she faced a challenging period that led her to contemplate retirement. However, with the help of a psychologist, she has regained her focus and confidence. Polcanova emphasizes the importance of recognizing her abilities while maintaining a commitment to hard work and perseverance.

Having concluded her club career last year, Polcanova now competes solely in international tournaments, allowing her to manage physical strain on her knees and hips while reducing travel-related stress. She has learned to deliver her best performance even with less match practice, a strategy she hopes to implement in the upcoming World Championship semifinals.