How Hugo Calderano found new motivation after Paris 2024 to reach "turning point" World Cup victory

From lows of Paris 2024 to highs in Macau, China

At last year's Olympic Games Paris 2024, the attention was on Calderano being the highest-ranked player from outside Asia and Europe, continents which have dominated the medals at the Olympic Games.

The Brazilian reached the semi-finals, but lost in six games to the 19th-seeded Truls Möregårdh of Sweden, then losing 4-0 in straight games to home favourite Félix Lebrun in the bronze-medal game.

That left a disappointed Calderano off the podium and still short of his goal of winning a first global medal.

"It's no secret that the post-Olympics period wasn't easy for me," Calderano confirmed. "My motivation dropped a bit, and I was trying to rediscover that pleasure, that joy in playing table tennis. And for a few months, in some competitions, I couldn't find myself.

"The difficulty lies in the daily work, that's where you have to make a difference, and it's this mental part that's the most important: you have to be very focused on your goals, you always play better when you're happier, lighter, and more relaxed. Little by little, I was finding myself again."

Upon reflection, Calderano believes he couldn't have said anything to change his own mood after the Olympic Games.

"I am sure that the Hugo of a few months ago would not worry about the future," he chuckled. "At that moment, the feeling was so strong that perhaps nothing I said could alleviate it."

But little by little (to use his own words), tournament by tournament, Calderano slowly regained his confidence and form, culminating in the Men's Singles ITTF World Cup in Macao, China in April.

There, he had to eliminate then-world-number three Harimoto Tomokazu in the quarter-finals, Wang in the semi-finals, and Lin in the final – notably coming from 1-3 down against Wang to complete a 4-3 win.

"I had to play at my best level to get these victories and this title," Calderano reflected. "To be able to do this during the World Cup and in a row, it's really much harder. I think it has all to do with my preparation, with all my training."

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