Pride and honor are very much at stake in the Paralympic Games at the Peking University Gymnasium and that fact is seen time and again in qualities exemplified by Iranildo Espindola of Brazil.
The celebration, the release of emotion, was as though he had won his country's lottery three times over when he beat Guiseppe Vella of Italy in his Men's Individual Class 2 group contest. He saluted the crowd who had warmed to his efforts and when the battle was over he threw his arms around his adversary.
"I was so happy with my victory. I felt so proud because I had won for Brazil," said Espindola. "It was the most important win of my life."
In fact, it was a not a vital contest in terms of progressing to the next stage of this competition. Having lost earlier in the group stage, the chances of gaining a medal had totally evaporated. Simply, Espindola was playing for pride and Brazil could be proud of the 39-year-old man from Brazilia, the country's capital city.
"I had met Vella once before in Germany. On that occasion I lost by three games to one," explained Espindola, who is a full time Table Tennis player, a situation made possible by the government support.
"Before I played Table Tennis, I had played football for some time," said the Brazilian, who is a passionate supporter of Flamenco Football Club in Rio de Janeiro. "I think the strength of my play is playing backspin strokes from my backhand and keeping the direction of play wide."
Creating angles in a rally is one of his strengths and also he is adept at varying the direction of his services.
Espindola is dedicated to Table Tennis and he practices three hours each day.
"It is my second time at the Paralympics, the first time was in Athens," continued Espindola. "For me, it is amazing; I have come to the Mecca of Table Tennis. For myself and my coach, Jose Souza, it is a dream come true."
The Brazilian has been inspired by what he has experienced in the Peking University Gymnasium and, having witnessed the way the Chinese support their own, he is looking forward to playing in front of a home crowd in Rio de Janeiro next year at the Brazilian Open for the Disabled in November.
"I want to play in front of a home crowd, with all the Brazilian spectators cheering for me," said Espindola. "Such a tournament will make people more aware not only of the Paralympic Table Tennis but also of Table Tennis in general, in Brazil and also in the continent of Latin America. Also, it's a chance to achieve."
Achieve, despite the fact that there may be no medals forthcoming in the individual events, is exactly what Espindola has done in Beijing. He has achieved a great deal.
(BOCOG September 9, 2008)