Since the outbreak of the epidemic, all athletes have missed competing but members of the men’s national team have been looking on the bright side; Bence Majoros was most positive.

“During the season we have so many competitions and travelling that we do not have time for longer training sessions. The positive side of the current situation is that we do not have to travel from competition to competition, the atmosphere is much calmer and we really just need to focus on how to become even better and develop as players.”

Throughout the enforced lockdown, Majoros spent most of the time at home in Nyirbator where he was able to practise with Adam Szudi; also he has been able to enjoy home cooked food, so surely he has added a few kilos?

“In fact, I lost weight! What was weird, is that I got to spend two months in Nyirbator, I think that was more than during the last five years combined. I did not sleep at home but in the table tennis hall, it still felt good.” Bence Majoros

Stayed in hometown

Also, Nandor Ecseki spent the most difficult weeks in his hometown.

“I was able to prepare in Szolnok with Istvan Patrik Molnar. We had a robot machine from the Hungarian Table Tennis Association of which I took great advantage at home. It is our life, we came down to the court every day to be better and better. We cannot compete for a few months but I think this does not make our motivation diminish. We must keep eyes on our goals, which is to be the best players, which later we can show to the world when the tournaments restart.” Nandor Ecseki

Compared to the others, perhaps Tamas Lakatos found himself in the most difficult situation, he was hindered by a knee injury. However, he has had the opportunity to play in the recent months.

“I went to Denmark on March 6th and I was still able to train until the first half of April, after that almost everyone went back home. There was only one French guy left but he also was coming back from an injury and therefore did not want to play too much; there were other difficulties due to the situation caused by the pandemic. All in all, I do not think I was that unlucky, others did not have such opportunities.” Tamas Lakatos.

Next season Tamas Lakatos who will join the French club Amiens STT but will move to Portugal with Nandor Ecseki to practise at the training centre in Oporto.

Younger players

Three younger players, Csaba Andras, Oliver Both and Patrik Juhasz have also been practising with the men’s team.

“I was lucky because we have a table tennis table at home, I could play with my brother, I could practise my serves but it was still a very difficult time, I am glad to be able to practise with the national team again.” Oliver Both .

“I got used to staying here every day and to the continuous training. I fell out of the rhythm and I just could not stand being at home.” Csaba Andras

Kept in contact

Head coach for the junior boys’ team is Peter Musko, well known to Adam Szudi.

“We kept in touch with Peti Musko when we were still in Nyirbator, so was part of our training beforehand and we have also known him for a long time. He helped us in some competitions, so we already had connection with him, we knew what to expect. So far, everything is super fine.” Adam Szudi.

Peter Musko can count on the help of his predecessor, Péter Aranyosi and on the expertise and experience of Dániel Zwickl, who acts as the manager of the national team in his spare time.

“He can help a lot from providing background information in terms of in which team the players will play next season, what training camps they will be preparing for and on other organisational issues as well. Peti Aranyosi will remain bound to the Hungarian Table Tennis Association. He will be able to deal with the players not only at this time, but also when the competition season starts. I will have to be on the road a lot.” Peter Musko.

So far, the members of the Hungarian national team have survived the virus situation, stayed relatively fit and fortunate but this cannot be said of several of their foreign colleagues.

“We have snatches of news about the international field. There is a training centre where four people have been admitted but no more. There are places where two players have to play in a mask. We also know of someone who has been locked in a 50 square feet apartment for two months now and cannot even hold a racket in the hand. So, it can definitely be to our advantage that we can prepare together in such circumstances.” Peter Musko