Source: China Daily

08-15-2008 10:47

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

Poland's Natalia Partyka is both a long shot and a clear favorite for a table tennis medal at the Beijing Games.

Poland's Natalia Partyka serves against Hong Kong's Tie Yana during  the women's team group D table tennis competition at the 2008 Beijing  Olympic Games on August 13, 2008.[Agencies]

The Polish player, who was born with a right arm that ends at the elbow, is the reining Paralympic champion.

But before defending her Paralympic title, she will get a crack at the Olympics in team play - one of only two athletes, along with South African swimmer Natalie du Toit, to compete in both events in Beijing.

"All the time I play with able people, so I like more the Olympics, but I'm so happy I'm going to play in the Paralympics and I hope I can win," she said.

Partyka, 19, burst into the sport's top tier earlier this year when she defeated Singapore's Li Jia Wei, world No 6, in a match at the world team championships.