MINSK, 17 May (BelTA) - Vladimir Samsonov and Viktoriya Pavlovich wil head the Belarus national team at the 2017 World Table Tennis Championships which kick off in Dusseldorf, Germany on 29 May, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Table Tennis Federation.
Vladimir Samsonov, a long-standing leader of the national team, is currently ranked 13th in the ITTF rankings. A large collection of the 41-year-old athlete comprises dozens of medals of the world and European championships. Vladimir Samsonov took part in six Olympic Games and finished 4th in the 2016 Rio Games. The Belarusian athlete is held in respect by his counterparts from different teams. Even the world championship favorites, Chinese players, view Vladimir Samsonov as one of their main rivals. At the 2015 World Table Tennis Championships in China's Suzhou Vladimir Samsonov reached the round of Last 16 where he lost to China's Zhang Jike who later claimed bronze.
The Belarusian men's national team at the forthcoming championships will also feature Pavel Platonov (165th), Alexander Khanin (236th), and Gleb Shamruk (357th).
Viktoriya Pavlovich, the leader of the Belarusian women's national team is currently ranked 58th worldwide. The team will also include Darya Trigolos (155th), Alina Orlovskaya (157th), and Nadezhda Bogdanova (278th).
Belarus will hold the final preparatory stage ahead of the world championships in Raubichi on 21-27 May. After that, the athletes will travel to Dusseldorf to compete in five medal events.
Taking part in the championships will be representatives of 106 countries.
