 |
Vladimir SamsonovA famous Belarusian table tennis player.
Date of Birth: 17.04.1976
Country:  Belarus |
Content:
- Vladimir Samsonov: A Renowned Belarusian Table Tennis Star
- Career Highlights
- Club Success and International Recognition
- Personal Life and Legacy
- Achievements in Brief
Vladimir Samsonov: A Renowned Belarusian Table Tennis Star
Early Life and SuccessesVladimir Samsonov, a celebrated Belarusian table tennis player, was born on July 19, 1976. His journey in the sport began at the age of seven when his parents enrolled him in the Minsk Table Tennis Center. Coached by the unwavering Alexander Petkevich, Vladimir's talent was evident early on. He excelled in junior competitions and became part of the USSR squad that won the European Cadet Team Championship in Athens in 1987.
His triumphs continued in 1988, when he claimed gold in the Cadet Doubles (with Alexei Averkin) and Mixed Doubles (with Oksana Kusch) at the European Cadet Championships. In 1999, he triumphed in the Cadet Singles and Mixed Doubles, cementing his dominance in European youth tennis.
Career Highlights
Samsonov's impressive performance caught the attention of German sports equipment manufacturer TIBHAR, leading to a lucrative personal contract. He relocated to Germany and continued his relentless training, excelling for various clubs. His debut in senior European championships brought him his first medal: a bronze in 1994.
In 1996, Samsonov became European Mixed Doubles champion in Bratislava. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 1998, winning the European Singles and Doubles titles in Eindhoven. In 2003, he repeated his Singles triumph and led the Belarusian team to European Team Gold.
Samsonov maintained his dominance in 2005, capturing his third European Singles Championship. On the world stage, he achieved remarkable feats, winning the World Cup twice (1999, 2001) and securing a Silver medal in the Singles event at the 1997 World Championships.
Club Success and International Recognition
Beyond his individual accomplishments, Samsonov has played a vital role in club successes. He joined the German club Borussia Düsseldorf in 1994 and went on to win the German League Championship thrice (1995, 1996, 1998). Since 2000, he has been representing Royal Villette Charleroi in Belgium, leading them to five European Club Championships (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007).
Personal Life and Legacy
On July 1, 2000, Samsonov married Yugoslavian national Natasa Nam. They have two sons: Victor (named after Vladimir's father) and Ivan (after Natasa's father). The family resides in Charleroi, Belgium.
Samsonov's impact extends beyond the playing field. In collaboration with R. Hudetz, he authored the book "Table Tennis: Technique with Vladimir Samsonov," which became a best-seller among professionals and enthusiasts worldwide.
Achievements in Brief
13 European Championship (cadet, junior) golds6 European Championships in various categories
5 European League Champions titles
4 Euro-Top12 wins
2 World Cup victories
16 ITTF Pro Tour tournament victories
ITTF Pro Tour Grand Final champion (1997)
3 Olympic Games appearances (1996, 2000, 2004)
