National player Dimitrij Ovtcharov (33) made a successful comeback in the table tennis world elite at the WTT Contender in Lima.
After an eight-month injury break due to an ankle surgery, the Olympic bronze medalist reached the final in Peru, where the German duel with Dang Qiu will take place on Sunday (June 19, 2022).
“Far from the usual workload”
“I wouldn’t have bet a dime on myself because I’ve only been training once a day for a few weeks and it’s still far from my usual workload.”said Ovtcharov after victories, among others, about Simon Gauzy (France) and the Swede Anton Källberg. “This is my first tournament appearance for about ten months, the whole thing is incredibly emotional for me.” Now he is happy “To the final against my buddy Dang”.
Irrespective of the outcome of the final, the 2013 and 2015 European champion drew a satisfied conclusion: “It went much better than I could have ever expected and that’s why I’m super happy.”
Also Nina Mittelham in the final
For Dang Qiu (Düsseldorf) it’s the chance for the second win in Lima after triumphing in mixed with Nina Mittelham. The Berliner also meets Miyu Nagasaki (Japan) in the singles final.
Second comeback successful
Ovtcharov’s first attempt to return failed at the beginning of the year. Although Ovtcharov won his first game after the operation in the Champions League quarterfinals for the Russian club Fakel Orenburg, he had to withdraw from all competitions shortly afterwards due to complications in the further healing process.
In the involuntary game-free period, he only resigned several weeks after the start of Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine in Orenburg. Practically at the same time, the right-hander joined the federal list TTC Neu-Ulm for the coming season, primarily for assignments in the Champions League.