The phenomenal Annett Kaufmann is stirring up the table tennis world.
Legend Timo Boll Retires from International Competition - Can 18-Year-Old Annett Kaufmann Fill His Shoes? Talent-wise, she's got what it takes, but she's not ready to be dubbed the "new Boll" yet. Her performances are already generating great excitement.
The first comparisons to Timo Boll flatter Annett Kaufmann, but the German table tennis hopeful thinks they're premature. "Of course, it's an honor when people call me the new Timo Boll, but I'd like to keep some distance from that and not put too much pressure on myself," said the 18-year-old after her impressive performance in the women's table tennis team semi-final loss to Japan at the Olympics. "Timo is a legend, he's achieved so much over the years. If I'm in the same position as him when I'm his age, then maybe we can say I'm the new Timo Boll."
At 43, Timo Boll retired from international competition after the men's team lost in the quarterfinals to Sweden. He won four Olympic team medals during his career. Kaufmann, on the other hand, is just beginning hers, but she's already showing world-class performances in Paris. She could be the female equivalent of French sensation Felix Lebrun, the 17-year-old who's causing a stir with his fearless play. Both players share a similar mindset at the table: "I can only go in confident. If I go in scared, I might as well shake hands now."
She beat Miwa Harimoto, the world number eight who's two years younger, 3-0 to secure Germany's only win against Japan. "I couldn't believe it at first," Kaufmann said. "Miwa is an amazing player, and she's beaten so many great players. It was a bit of a shock how clear it was."
German coach Tamara Boros is still in awe. "What she's playing here is top ten in the world. I knew she was good, but not this good, over five games." Kaufmann, from SV DJK Kolbermoor, won all five of her team matches. She only made the Olympic team a few weeks ago due to an injury to Ying Han. She's certainly making the most of her opportunity. After the surprise quarterfinal win against India, teammate Shan Xiaona said, "Annett is a miracle, really. She's at her first Olympics, and she's playing this well at 18."
In the bronze medal match against South Korea on Saturday (10 AM), Kaufmann plans to build on her performance and win a medal with Yuan Wan and Shan. "We'll fight and make it tough for them," she promised. "I want to enjoy this too. You don't get to stand at the Olympics and play for a medal every day."
Annett Kaufmann's impressive performances at the Olympics have some comparing her to table tennis legend Timo Boll, but she humbly asserts that she's not ready to be labeled as his successor yet. Despite being only 18 and just beginning her career, Kaufmann's skill level is already attracting attention, with some drawing parallels to French sensation Felix Lebrun.
