Ukrainian table tennis player who lost to Seo Hyo-won “can’t even train properly”

After losing to Hyo Won Seo (World No. 108-Korea Horse Society) in the round of 64 at the World Championships, Ukraine’s Solomiya Vratyko (World No. 190) said she was happy to be at the tournament and play against a good player despite not being able to train properly.

Vrateiko lost 1-4 (9-11 4-11 5-11 11-3 7-11안전놀이터) to Hyo Won Seo of South Korea in the women’s singles second round (Round of 64) on day three of the 2023 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Championships in Durban, South Africa, on Wednesday (July 22).

“It’s not often that you get the chance to play with a great opponent, so I was very happy to play a good match,” Vratycko told the Korea Times.

“It’s not possible to train normally in (war-torn) Ukraine,” she said, adding that she has been practicing in other countries for the past year, including Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland, where she had to keep asking if she could train and if it was free.

Bryteiko’s mother is still in Ukraine. She is in the process of moving to her father’s residence abroad.

“I’m afraid that something will happen to my friends and relatives who live in Ukraine,” says Bryteiko, adding, “Rockets are flying all over Ukraine, so we don’t know what will happen or when.”

Despite the situation, Bryteiko was determined to stay focused on the game.

“It’s sad, but we have to focus on the game,” he said, “I’m happy that I’m competing, I’m grateful for this moment. This moment comes only once in life,” he emphasized.

To the people of Ukraine, he said, “Survive (the war). I want you to think positively, appreciate every moment of your life, and live the way you want to live,” and then said “Thank you” in Korean.