by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer

In an event that comprises 30 teams, the Italians occupy to no.25 seeded spot; only nine gain places available in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

An impossible task, nothing as they say is impossible but to say the least, it’s a most intimidating challenge.

Debora Vivarelli stressed that fact.

“I have never played at the Olympic Games but I made attempts to make it there when I competed in two qualification tournaments in 2008 and 2012. Unfortunately I never qualified.

It is going to be a tough tournament because all the teams are really good. We know we have little chance to qualify but we are going to Portugal to fight like all the other teams as nothing is impossible.

I can’t tell you the feeling of competing at the Olympic Games yet because I never played before. I can only tell you that it would be a dream. I think every athlete dreams about it and works day and night to achieve this big goal. My target is Tokyo 2020 and try to reach the top 50 in the world ranking.

Table tennis has given me a lot already. My whole family plays table tennis, so my life is all about table tennis. I just love to play, to train hard, and to travel across the world.

Table tennis has given me a lot of friends and amazing experiences, as well as tough moments which has helped me grow a lot. I would never change my life and I hope I can play and enjoy this sport for a long time.”