EUSA Insider:
Magnus Bolstad Holm
Age: 24
Place of Birth: Norway
University: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NOR)
Published: 15 May 2018
Briefly describe how and why did you get involved in Table Tennis?
During elementary school, some of my friends started playing table tennis and they asked me to join. I believe I was about 8 years old. We also had a table in the school and I really enjoyed playing during the breaks.
I really liked the sport and I actually could see progress that I've made so I continued. Since then, I’ve been hooked and it’s even more fun now than then.
"The events are both social and competitive as there are a lot of intense matches. I would say the level of the players has just gotten better over the years I have participated."
What do you study? How do you balance your study, trainings and competitions?
I graduated June 2017. I studied industrical economy and techonology management, which is a civil engineering course combined with a lot of economy. Combining table tennis and a full-time study was sometimes hard. I must thank my very kind collaboration partner during my thesis for accepting that I was going away for competitions in many of the weekends.
I was lucky that I could plan the trainings myself to a large extent and I usually got a chance to practice every day. A great tip is to plan and prepare your meals so that you don’t need to make dinner every day!
Tell us about your experience of the European Universities Championships 2017. Is this your first time at an EUSA event?
This is my 3rd European Universities Table Tennis Championship. First time was Zonguldak (Turkey) in 2013, then European University Games in Rotterdam (Netherlands) in 2014 and then finally Olomouc (Czech Republic) in 2017. Each time has been a great experience! The events are both social and competitive as there are a lot of intense matches. I would say the level of the players has just gotten better over the years I have participated.
"I think such events are important because table tennis enthusiasts from all over Europe, who combine doings sports and studying, can meet other people in the same situation."
In 2018 the European Universities Games 2018 will take place in Coimbra, Portugal, do you hope to be there? Why do you think university sport events are important?
Unfortunately, we are not able to participate during this year’s event. I am also not a student anymore, so I believe I have attended my last international table tennis event for students.
However, I think such events are important because table tennis enthusiasts from all over Europe, who combine doings sports and studying, can meet other people in the same situation. It’s also great because people who choose to study instead of pursuing a full-time table tennis career can still attend international events.
"No matter how tough the circumstances are, never lose sight of your true goal!"
This is your chance! What is your message to European students like yourself?
No matter how tough the circumstances are, never lose sight of your true goal! Play table tennis and study hard! Not all people can be Ma Long, but you can still have a lot of fun.
EUSA would like to thank Magnus and his teammates for taking part in Table Tennis Championships in Olomouc as well as competing in EUSA events over the years. You can start your EUSA story this year at Coimbra!
