Egyptian Paralympian: I want to see a world champion from Uganda

Incredible: Hamato playing table tennis. PHOTO BY A. SSEMUGABI

What you need to know:

  • Playing at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in Brazil is Hamato’s biggest achievement and despite turning 47 next year, he hopes to make it to the 2020 Games in Tokyo.

Kampala. Children, coaches, and officials pulled out their smartphones, got closer to the tables to capture the unbelievable spectacle of a middle-aged man with both arms amputated, playing table tennis with his teeth holding the bat.
Egyptian Ibrahim Hamato played his part as a role model to the fullest by exhibiting rare ping-pong abilities that wowed everyone who attended the main event of the World Table Tennis Day at Nsambya Sharing Hall on the weekend.

Hamato, who lost both his hands in a train accident aged 10, boasts two silver medals at the 2011 and 2013 African championship, and also played at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
As the main celebrant, he showcased some of his skills playing one child after another, smiling, without tiring, without taking the bat from his mouth.
“Every child I played with has skill, but they need to improve through hard work,” he told Daily Monitor, through his interpreter and son Mohamed Ibrahim Hamato.

‘Everyone can play’
“Uganda has future in table tennis. I hope to see a world champion from Uganda.”
Leandro Olvech, ITTF foundation director, said Hamato is the living example that “everyone can play table tennis, no matter your condition. Important thing play and enjoy the sport.” Interestingly, Hamato does not feel any pain while playing: “On the table I’m focused on the game, no pain.”

But afterwards I feel a lot of pain in my teeth, the whole mouth and neck,” So, does he take any medication? “No, the pain goes away on its own.”
Playing at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in Brazil is Hamato’s biggest achievement and despite turning 47 next year, he hopes to make it to the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
And to all the people with disabilities: “Nothing is impossible if you believe.”