Danisha Patel

Representing South Africa in Table Tennis since 2007 for juniors and 2014 for seniors.

I started playing table tennis since the age of 10. My grandfather had an old table tennis board kept on his roof which he was about to throw away, but my brothers repaired it and took it home, since then we have been playing table tennis as a past time. Eventually my brother and I started playing for our primary school (Progress Primary School) and carried on to high school (Nirvana Secondary). Since 2005 I started training with a professional coach. In 2007 I represented Gauteng in my first ever junior national championships for under 14 and 17. It was there that I performed well as a new comer and was recognised by the higher bodies. I was then asked to represent Gauteng in the senior national championships and further chosen to represent South Africa in my first ever international event for junior cadets. I have been playing for Gauteng Central and South Africa since then.

I won my first Nationals in 2014 for the senior women. Since then I have been retaining my title till 2017. In 2018, I won my 5th national title for SA. In 2019, I have now successfully retained my title for the 6th consecutive year, being the first female in South Africa to do so.

It’s been a rollercoaster journey of table tennis all year round, balancing career and passion together. This sport is both physically and mentally challenging. I learnt a lot during my international tournaments so I have to make sure and prepare properly for upcoming tournaments and work on fitness. This sport can be very tricky and mental and for that I am lucky to have the experience and my training partners in the corner to guide me.

It was through table tennis that I got introduced to Biokinetics. It has helped me with my sport specific training, fitness development and strength training. In 2012 I pursued my career in Biokinetics at the University of Johannesburg, finishing my honours degree in 2015 and completing my internship in 2016 at FNB coperate wellness.

Tournaments

  • Common Wealth Championships – India (2019)
  • Nigerian Open + African Cup – Nigeria (2019)
  • All African Games – Morocco (2019) Represented SA
  • Won the Arnold Classic Tournament for 4 consecutive years (2016-2019)
  • African Senior Championships in Mauritius in September (2018)
  • World Team Champs – Sweden (2018)
  • Zone 6 Champs(2018) – Botswana Gold for Team Events, Bronze for singles
  • African Senior Champs – Morocco (2017)
  • Common Wealth Championships – India (2016)
  • World Team Champs – Malaysia (2016)
  • Zone 6 Championships –(2016) Namibia 3rd -Bronze Ladies Singles
  • All African Games – Congo (2015) Represented SA
  • Represented South Africa at African Team Championships (Egypt-2015)
  • World Student Games (2013) Russia. Represented Team SA
  • (2014) University Sport South Africa (USSA) Champion in Singles, Doubles and Mixed Doubles for 2012 and 2013
  • Safir International tournament (Sweden-2007) Represented SA for juniors ITTF World Cadet Challenge & World Junior Circuit Finals

TRAINING AND SKILLS

InstitutionTraining and Skills Description
Health and Fitness Professional Association (HFPA)
Massage therapy: Skills and training in sports and deep tissue massage, with focus on release of tight muscles and breakdown of adhesions in the body tissue.
Hitech TherapyThera-band training in exercise and rehabilitation. Sports Strapping
Pulse PointFirst aid Level 1 & Level 2. Two person Adult & Child CPR, Infant CPR, Multiple injury management, Drowning, Asthma, Heart attacks & chest pain, Epilepsy, Strokes, Seizures
South African Life College (1999 – 2004)Communication skills, Leadership skills, Project management skills, Emotional Intelligence, Entrepreneurial Attributes and Life skills.
Lenasia Table Tennis Association (2012)Chairperson responsible for the overall running of the organization in terms of fixtures development and training

Qualifications

B.Sc. Sport Science – Biokinetics
B.A. – Honours – Biokinetics

© Copyright - Danisha Patel