The 2019 ITTF World Cadet Challenge is set to be held in Wladyslawowo, Poland from 23-31 October. Get to know New Zealand’s Takaimaania Ngata-Henare before she takes on the world as a member of Team Oceania.

Goals for the 2019 World Cadet Challenge? Win five matches

When and why did you first start playing table tennis? I started playing when I was 11.5 and I choose table tennis because I didn’t like the other sports I played  

Highlight from your table tennis journey? I usually play much better during competitions than training so I’ve had a few highlights in my matches 

Best table tennis memory? Playing on the kitchen table with my family when I first started playing

What are you excited about in Poland? Meeting new people and watching other people with different styles play

One thing you want to try in Poland? Food

Favourite table tennis player? Yuta Matsumura 

Interesting fact about yourself? I dislike giraffes 

Favourite artist/band? Billie Eilish

The first thing I think of when I think of Poland is: Ice skating and snow

If you weren’t a table tennis player what would you be? Competing in public speaking competitions 

YouTube or Netflix? Youtube

Favourite tournament? North Island Open

Favourite thing about New Zealand? It’s very clean and green