Tony: How old you were when you started playing?
Egle: Around 5 years old. My mum was a table-tennis coach, so I messed around in a hall, while she was coaching others. What a great start!
Tony: In which countries have you played?
Egle: Lithuania and England, and tournaments in Europe.
Tony: What major obstacles, if any, have you had to overcome to play table-tennis?
Egle: Times when you don't want to play! When you've been playing so much, hearing a ball bounce makes you physically sick.......nice.....eh?
Tony: On what occasion did you first realised that you had Table Tennis talent?
Egle: I don't have ANY! Never had, never will! It's all just a bloody hard work. Work, work, work.....and work again. But it's good... it always pays off!! It already has for me, and I'm sure it will even more!
Tony: Is the way you play table tennis a reflection of your character?
Egle: I guess it taught me to fight for everything in life, focus well and never give up!...or maybe it's just me, I'm not sure, it probably adds up all together, doesn't it?
Tony: Who is/was your greatest opponent?
Egle: Everyone?! You've got to know how to play against everyone! Oh, and I've got to agree with Kaori here, before you play anyone else, you have to fight against yourself first.
Tony: Can you recall the times you were "in the zone" and everything went perfectly without effort in a game?
Egle: Yeah…there have been a few moments like that, but I cannot truly remember. I must have been in that "zone"!
Tony: Have you ever lost a game where it absolutely hurt afterwards?
Egle: Yeah, but I always thought there could have been worse, so it probably wasn't that bad BAD!
Tony: Have you ever lost your temper in a game because of something you or another player did?
Egle: No, I lock it inside me...(I think!?)...Never show your enemy he has defeated you! And don't get distracted!!! FOCUS...
Tony: What are your work/life/sport ambitions?
Egle: My ambitions, my business! One I know for sure, I won't ever give up Table Tennis. It's always been my life...I cannot give it up...
Tony: What prompted you to come to the UK?
Egle: More opportunities and variety of them.
Tony: Do you do any mental preparation before your big matches? And if so what do you do?
Egle: No. My mind is somewhat independent. What if I keep preparing myself, and then go to the table and it all vanishes? Waste of time! Just need to get out there and do it! If you're good enough, you're good enough!!
Tony: How did you manage to get involved with Progress? When was that?
Egle: I must have been fortunate, but I went for miles to find it, though. It wasn't that easy! It took me two weeks, just after I have arrived in London in 2001, November.
Tony: What are you most disappointed in or about the game?
Egle: Lack of interest from the outside world, media! I just guess it's tooooo mentally tough for that lot! It's just us strong ones who can deal with it!!!!
Tony: Is there any particular type/style of player that you *HATE* playing against?
Egle: Not as if I'm gonna tell you now!... OK, then...I don't hate, but I don't like playing against people who spin spin spin. Why spin, when you can hit it? But that's only 'cause I can't do it properly...I rate you guys, really!!!
Read Part 2 - See a rare glimpse of Egle! |
