Ibrahim Hamato has no hands, yet he finds a way to play pingpong at a competitive level.
"I had an accident when I was 10 years old, but I loved table tennis," he said in a video produced by theInternational Table Tennis Federation. "Three years after my accident I wanted to play again holding the racket under my arm, but it didn't work out."
Hamato then taught himself to hit the ball by holding the paddle in his mouth. He can now volley with the best of them. In the video, which was released on Friday by the ITTF, the Egyptian-born player goes head-to-head with some of the world's best.
"My best achievement in life is divided into two parts," Hamato said. "The best thing in my life is my wife, who is everything to me. The second part is table tennis, where I find my biggest success being able to enjoy every point I win."
The video was filmed in Tokyo, where the ZEN-NOH 2014 World Team Table Tennis Championships took place this week. ITTF President Adham Sharara invited Hamato to the event.
"He play really good," said Jun Mizutani of Japan. Mizutani is ranked ninth in the world and volleyed with Hamato. "I can't believe he plays with his mouth."
On YouTube, Hamato's story is inspiring others.
"I love the game and when I see someone like this I am so happy," commented Caron Leff. "The human will is so strong. I admire this man."
Hamato has a goal with his story, and judging by these comments, he is achieving it.
"I hope this shows people that nothing is impossible as long as you work hard."
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