by Brian Ash, Director Marketing Table Tennis Canada

In a close match the young Swiss used his strengths to earn victory against Alexander Bu; his strong backhand close to the table gave his opponent little time to prepare.

“He is a good player but I was able to pressure him on many points.” Dorian Girod

Dorian is quickly relaxed as we chat in the players’ lounge. The personable young man is a good student, fluent in three languages and is delighted to hear that so many Canadians speak French.

He knows very few of the players at the Canadian Open or North American table tennis but professes admiration for Kanak Jha and recognizes the face of Jeremy Hazin displayed on a banner.

Dorian, the 12th seed in the Junior Boys’ Singles event, is determined to make his mark, drawing on ten years of training at the Lancy Club in Geneva.

Results to date are admirable including a top eight finish in the ‘A’ League and an under 18 title in 2016. Currently he practises 18 hours a week seeking to perfect his game with Alandre Betemns guiding him.

He admits that he will have to improve his forehand and work diligently on his serve, emulating his favourite player Dimitrij Ovtcharov.

Perhaps he too can play professionally! But for now he is proud to wear his national colours.