by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Medals galore in African and Arab competitions but on a wider field, the performance displayed at the London 2012 Olympic Games and then the following year at the Times Property 2013 World Team Classic in Guangzhou underline the fact on his day, El-Sayed Lashin can match the best.

In the Men’s Singles event in London he accounted for Sweden’s Pär Gerell and Croatia’s Zoran Primorac prior to experiencing defeat at the hands of Jun Mizutani.

One year later in Guangzhou, in the contest that secured the bronze medal, he beat Bastian Steger prior to teaming with Ahmed Ali Saleh to win the doubles against Patrick Franziska and Bastian Steger to steer Germany to a memorable three-two win.

El-Sayed Lashin spoke to Olalekan Okusan, the ITTF-Africa Press Officer.

I would like to play to my best level just like I did at the London 2012 Olympic Games, as well as show the highest level of Egypt and African table tennis. The best outing for an African at the World Championship is round of 32 and for sure I will try to win every point in Germany. I hope to play well to achieve good results as much as I can.

I have a lot of matches in the final stage of our league and after that we will have a short preparation in Egypt for the World Championships.

I believe nothing is impossible in this life and what the players need to do is to fight to make their dream come true. This can only be possible with good organization from national federations and players. African players have a good fighting spirit and we are also talented in the sport. I wish that African players very good luck and I am hopeful that Quadri Aruna has the ability to make the last 16 if he is in good shape.

I am not sure if this is going to be my last World Championships but I wish all new generation of players from Egypt good luck if this is my last outing. Inshallah, I hope to have good results and make my country proud.