I have been playing table tennis since a long time and being given the opportunity to participate in a tournament. I enjoy taking part in competitions which challenge my skills and test them. Playing against so many people pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me boosted my confidence to keep playing the sport and participate in future competitions.

LO2. Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process

Throughout the tournament, I encountered several players who were much more skilled than I was, with greater experience and familiarity in competitive settings. Competing against them helped me improve my skills as well, challenging myself constantly to match their pace. One of the key challenges of the competition was adapting to different opponents, each with their own playing style. I came across a many different opponents who each used different techniques, from aggressive attacking strategies to defensive counter-attacks. I had to learn to adjust my game to meet the challenges.

LO7. Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

One of the most significant ethical consideration in any sport is fair play. In the heat of competition, it can be tempting to cut corners or take advantage of situations in ways that might give me an edge, but I recognize the importance of playing with integrity. Respecting the decisions of referees and playing by the rules is essential to maintaining fairness, and I aimed to model this behavior during the entire competition. For example, when the referee accidentally miscalculated the score so I made sure to be ethical and correct him. Additionally, sportsmanship goes beyond just following the rules. It involves showing respect for my opponent, regardless of whether I won or lost. After each match, win or lose, I made sure to shake hands with my opponent.