Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Lekeasha aims to turn the tables on her rivals, now and at Tokyo 2020
CHAMPION table tennis player Lekeasha Johnson has set her sights on representing South Africa at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
“I dream that I will become the first female table tennis player in my country to feature at the Games. I will continue to work hard to achieve this goal,” she said.
Johnson is a champion performer with the gold medals to prove it. Last month, she competed in the International Arnold Schwarzenegger Tournament in Johannesburg – and won. “I got to meet Arnold which was a big thrill, but I battled to understand him,” she quipped.”
The 16- year- old from Athlone has dominated opponents with her deadly forehand and backhand serve. It is a game plan that has won her many titles at provincial and national level.
She has been ranked No 1 in the country in the junior agegroups and is fiercely determined to stay there. “I want to work harder each day so that no one can beat me. One has to have that sort of mindset to stay ahead of the chasing pack,” Johnson said.
“But I never underestimate an opponent, that’s courting disaster. I respect the challenges thrown my way and try to meet them in the best possible way.”
Her next goal is to be in the top three in Africa: “I’m fourth at the moment and that’s an improvement of three places over the past year. I represented SA at the African Junior champs in Egypt in 2014 and got to play against Yousra Hemly who is ranked No 1.
“I was so nervous playing her because she is the best and I ended up going down four sets to love. The games were close but I wasn’t able to win one, so that was a bit of a disappointment.
“I had the game taped and I’ve watched it over and over and now I feel I’ll put up a far better performance the next time we meet.”
Being at the Western Cape Sport School for the past two years has helped her immensely. The Grade 11 pupil practices three hours a day from Monday to Friday, and loves every moment of it.
“Practice makes perfect as they say,” she said. “There’s other stuff to master as well; the physical aspect, tactical, theory and rules of the game which we must all know to help us when we play competition.
“I’ve enjoyed many experiences and yes, I’ve done my studies just in case people think it’s all just play, play.”
Johnson first picked up a paddle in 2008 at the encouragement of Pedro Meyer, a legend in the sport in the Cape.
“He said I must come down to the local club a try out and I haven’t looked back after he told me I was a natural,” she said.
“I enjoyed the fun side of things, too, and got hooked. After a year of playing I won my first national tournament (Under-12 title) and things took off from there.”