When it comes to Table Tennis Holger Nikelis is an unstoppable force. The German athlete, who has been competing at an elite level since 2001, was thrown into the international spotlight after winning an individual gold medal and team bronze at the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games.

The 30 year old athlete, who now has his sights set on the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, took time out from his busy training schedule to talk to the Paralympian about his past successes and future ambitions. Holger lost the use of his legs at the age of 17, after breaking his neck in a swimming accident in Spain. And it was during his time in hospital that he first discovered Paralympic Sport, which became an important part of his rehabilitation process.

Two years after his accident, Holger started taking part in Table Tennis competitions, and ever since then he has been hugely successful, winning three European Championships and the 2006 IPC Table Tennis World Championships.

He reached supremacy at the ATHENS 2004 Paralympic Games, despite breaking his arm in a car accident shortly before the competition, which forced him to take two months out of his strict training regime.

Commenting on what it felt like to win a gold medal, Holger said: “It was amazing and very special because it was the Paralympics. It is always special to win a medal, but there was a very special atmosphere at Athens.

He added: “It’s a great experience I get from playing Table Tennis, travelling and meeting other people with a disability. You learn so much and it’s great for your self esteem. When you achieve success it’s great!” During an interview at the International Paralympic Day, held in Berlin in August 2007, Holger said that, despite the competitive nature of sport, he experienced a strong sense of unity with players once they were away from the tension of the court.

He said: “There is a really friendly atmosphere. Most people are really friendly, not always during the matches! You can especially feel this in the Paralympic Village where there are so many athletes together.” Holger aptly illustrated his commitment and passion for what he does when he told the Paralympian that ‘Table Tennis is my everyday life’. However, in the rare moments when Holger is not battling against his opponent in an international competition, training hard for the Paralympic Games or being interviewed by the media, he spends his time spreading the “spirit of the Paralympic Sport” by visiting schools and hospitals.

When asked what advice he would give to aspiring Paralympic Athletes, he said: “Get together with other people with a disability and learn from their experiences and their life.”