“Stay Strong and expect the unexpected” – that’s the mantra of Team Fiji’s youngest athlete, table tennis player Jai Chauhan.

This is the first time the Year 8 student of Yat Sen Primary School will be taking part in a Pacific Games competition.

But this is not his first outing overseas.

Since taking on the sport four years ago, Chauhan has participated in several table tennis competitions abroad.

His most recent outing was in Vanuatu earlier this year.

Chauhan was modest about his expectation in Samoa.

“I’m not too confident about a medal, but I’m only taking part for the experience and hopefully I will win.”

Chauhan will compete in the men’s single, doubles, mixed doubles and team event.

He is banking on his overseas experience.

Table Tennis section manager, Narendra Lal said starting young at playing competitive table tennis has its advantage.

“It’s good to start at an early age – when the hands are flexible and the coordination of muscles is good.”

After Samoa, Chauhan already has his sights set in representing Fiji at the Oceania Junior Championship in Tonga in August and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Chauhan trains with para table tennis players at the Fiji Disabled People’s Association in Brown Street, Suva.

Team Fiji table tennis will be represented by 4 men and 4 women.

In the 2015 Pacific Games in Papua New Guinea, Tahiti topped the table tennis medal tally with 7 gold medals.

A LITTLE HISTORY: Table Tennis has featured as part of the Games since its inception.

IN SAMOA: 14 countries will be competing for a total of 11 medals. The competition will run for four days in the first week of the Games, at the Harvest Centre in Lotopa.

Edited by Osea Bola

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