March 11, 2009
Werner Schlager Withdraws from World Championships
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Courtesy of ITTF The 36 year old former World champion cancelled owing to family reasons. On 3rd February, Werner Schlager’s life partner Bettina Müller gave birth to a boy named Nick. Schlager already cancelled his participation for the LIEBHERR Europe Top 12. |
First Absence in 18 Years
The World Championships in Yokohama will take place from 28th April to 5th May. For the first time in since 1991, Schlager will be absent. Since the World Championships in China, the Austrian star has played 13 World Championships in a row.
“I just want to be with my family”, Schlager explained about his withdrawal. However, there are no signs that the end of his table tennis career is being signaled. “I’ve recovered from my injury in the Champions League pretty well and I've restarted my training.”
Next Goals
At the LIEBHERR European Championships in September, he wants to be once again at his best. “I’m looking forward to the European Championships in Stuttgart. For sure that’s going to be a highlight.” At the 2008 European Championships in St Petersburg last October, Schlager won three medals.
Click here to view the photo gallery of Werner Schlager’s and Bettina Müller’s son Nick to see pictures of Nick's birth in a hospital at Wiener Neustadt.
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