asn sponsored athlete . . .

athlete profile : Melissa Tapper

Name Ms Melissa Tapper Gender Female Marital Status Other Nationality Australian Age 21 Height 1170cm Weight 65kg Business Health, Wellness & Table Tennis Profession Professional table tennis athlete Qualifications Bachelor of Exercise Science

"If YOU believe you can, you WILL! "

Overview (A Little About Me)

At birth I had the nerves in my right shoulder torn which has left me with Brachial plexus. I began playing table tennis when I was 8 years old in a small town called Hamilton that’s 300km south west of Melbourne. I won my first national title at the age of 13, moved to Melbourne just before my 15th birthday and lived with my sister where I then went to school in Melbourne and trained. From here I would continue on to win another 6 national titles as well as a Oceania title, compete in over 15 different countries and have won tournaments in Hungary, Italy and England and finished 2011 off as the world no.1 class 10 female.

In 2012 I will get to compete in the London Paralympic Games, but I’m not content just yet, my goal is to be the first Australian athlete to compete in both the Olympics and Paralympic games!!

Interests

I love walking my dog duke a little black and tan cavalier, being with friends is a sure way of putting a smile on my face and providing me with a good laugh, as well as spending good quality time with my family.

I love shopping, whether it be for shoes, dresses or chocolate! I have always been into fitness and exercise, but I haven’t always payed attention to my food choices which really only changed at the beginning of 2011 due to the motivation that my older brother possess for a healthy lifestyle and physique.

And mostly I enjoy being in a table tennis business with my partner and seeing it grow as well as the development of others that love the sport as much as we do.

Favourites (Food, Bodyparts, People)

Definitely a sucker for chocolate and any form of sour lollies, and Christmas time is the worst! But when I know I’m in a heavy training period and it needs to be eliminated from my diet, it will be. I find if I don’t buy food that’s not in my daily plan, I can’t eat it! Simple ha!

Motivations (What Motivates Me)

People telling me that I cannot do something because of my disability, because I believe I am not disabled if I can do everything I want to!

Training History (Years, Location, Trainer)

I am currently training 5 days a week on court for 6 hours every day and in the gym 3 days a week for 1.5 hours as well as pilates 2 times a week.

My recovery is also just as import as my training, I spend 15mins in the ice bath after every gym session and I have physio once a week and a massage twice a week.

Training Schedule (Training Style and Tips)

I train my upper body mainly with cable machines and super setting exercises, my program is based around strengthening my back and shoulders to prevent any injuries during my on court training and competition.


Cardio Schedule
I train a lot of agility in my workout involving ladders, cones and medicine balls. Each drill must be as powerful and explosive as possible with 30sec rests in between sets.

Nutrition (Examples of My Diet)

Breakfast:
2 pieces of toast with promite & 2 eggs
Glass of milk

Snack:
Mueslie bar & piece of fruit

Lunch:
1 piece of toast with half a avocado & turkey/chicken

Snack:
Yoghurt & fruit

Dinner:
Salmon with steamed vegetables OR
Big bowl of pasta

Competition History

- 6 times Australian junior singles champion (2003-2008)
- u21 Australian youth singles champion (2008)
- u18 Oceania singles champion (2008)
- Hungarian Open singles champion 2011
- Italian Open singles champion 2011
- Arafura Games singles champion 2011
- British Open singles champion
- Asia & Oceania Regional Championships silver medallist 2011

Goals (Future Plans and Career Expectations)

Short term goal is to qualify for the Olympics and Paralympics, train my guts out for the year and medal at the Paralympics in London 2012.

Long term goal is for a GOLD medal in Paralympics Brazil 2016.
After my competitive years are over I hope to own a fitness club with my brother.

Media Coverage (Calendars, Magazines and Newspapers)

Regular articles in the local Melbourne newspapers and in Hamilton newspapers.

Channel 10 news as the ambassador for the Melbourne Sports Hub.

Best Advice (Fitness, Health and Training)

I believe in just working hard and committing yourself 100% whether it be in life, business or sport. By giving it your best you can hold your head high and in time, whenever it may be, the hard work will all pay off!

Supplements Used

During training I always have my bottle of Agent Orange.

After training I take anabolic injection shake in orange pine.

My Preferred Supplements (buy online)

Evolve : Agent Orange Agent Orange is a multi-functional supplement weapon designed to super-charge you, ready to meet your next workout head-on, making every training session your best one ever. . . . buy online

Evolve : Anabolic Injection ANABOLIC INJECTION contains a base of rapidly absorbed whey protein isolate, hydrolysed whey protein isolate and high glycemic carbohydrate dextrose, maltodextrin and instantised waxy maize starch to help promote nutrient uptake post workout and boost recovery potential. . . . buy online

athlete gallery : Melissa Tapper

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