Thuraia Thomas on a quest to make a “lasting impression”
At 13 years old, Thuraia Thomas is forging an uncharted course into senior competition when she plays at this weekend’s national senior table tennis championships, organised by the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA).
Eyes on the prize! An attacking right-handed player, Thuraia Thomas has shown she has a bright future ahead, and one of the many tests begins this weekend at the senior championships (Akeem Greene photo)
It is quite a bold step for the young racket-wielder, who has shown promising signs as a national junior player by winning on two occasions the bronze medal at the Caribbean championships, for both individual and team competition.
A quick glimpse at Thomas and you would quickly think she has always been around sports, given that she is tall and lean, but only gives a few words.
Her loudspeaker comes in the form of her racket and in a recent interview with Guyana Times Sport, she confidently stated she wanted so to make an impact at the seniors, highlighting the possibility of a third-place finish or at least reaching the quarter-finals.
Training four times per week at her Titans Table Tennis Club, the second form Marian Academy student was high in praise for the work of Coach Dwain Dick, who has helped mould her mind to understand the true intricacies of the sport.
For these reasons and others, Thomas contends a good showing at the nationals would mean she can have a stranglehold on the junior championships.
“In terms of trainings, we have been [going through] a lot of game situations and he [Dwain Dick] helps to build my confidence and get me ready for the matches.”
Just three days ago, GTTA announced senior female champion Chelsea Edghill, who was currently on a scholarship in the United States, was awarded a one-month training stint in Portugal.
In light of such, the right-handed attacking player knows when the opportunities come, they must be taken with both hands.
“It is a big deal to represent your club or country. For me it is a lot of stress, but when you go out there you feel the adrenaline and you know what is needed.”
Thomas can keep her cards close since given there is no Edghill or Trenace Lowe, a duo who usually dominate the seniors, the possibilities are open to whom may take the title this weekend at the National Gymnasium. (Akeem Greene)
