Interview with Renata Peluchova

By Alan Williams

Renata Peluchova (say ‘ren-Ought-ah’ ‘Pell-LOU-ko-vah’) is currently the #12 rated woman in the United States, sporting a rating consistently in the 2300+ range.  This tall, rangy left-hander combines power, athleticism, veteran instincts and an intense desire to win into a formidable package.  At five foot nine inches and 140 pounds, she is in fighting trim.  Sponsored by STIGA, Renata uses a STIGA Carbon 7.6 blade with Neos sound (max) on both sides, and she plays the game with style, dignity and grace.  Recently we were able to learn more about this wonderful player.

So where are you from?

I was born on February 22, 1974 in the Czech Republic.

How did you get involved in Table Tennis?

I was the first in my family to play, actually.  When I was in school, there was an invitation to a Sports Center, which my parents approved.  Forty of us went, in the beginning, and then that was reduced to ten.  Soon there was just me.  Remember that the government was very involved in selecting and training athletes at that time.

So you must have shown exceptional talent very early on!

Talent is important, and I guess that my coach for ten years, Pavel Krpec, saw elements that he liked.  But talent can only take you so far.  Hard work is most important, hard work and the discipline to do it.  I have always been willing to work hard, never relied on my family to buy me things, and have earned my own way in the world from a very early age.  I was able to make the Czech National Team when I was 13 and kept that spot for 14 years.  Hard work is the path to follow, hard work and discipline.

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