Emmeline 510x323

Emmeline – a life dedicated to Vanuatu Table Tennis

A Gold medal winner for her country and advocate for the sport, Emmeline Lulu, when not working in her role as Quality and Continuous Improvement Manager at Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu, is proud to support the Vanuatu Pacific Mini Games athletes within her role as a member of the Vanuatu Table Tennis Federation.

Where do you call home, where were you born? Tell us a bit about your family.

Vanuatu is my home and I was born in Banks Island, Torba Province. My family is hugely supportive of me and my time spent playing table tennis, they play also! My brother, Ham Lulu, just won two Gold medals (including Vanuatu’s first Gold medal) at the 2017 Vanuatu Pacific Mini Games and my sister, Anolyn Lulu, has also won two gold medals. I am extremely proud.

I still play table tennis and I am an active member of the Vanuatu Table Tennis Federation.

I started my sporting career in 1994 when I fell in love with playing the game at school – it’s such good fun.

What do you enjoy the most and the least?

The best part is representing my country abroad. Unfortunately, however, few Ni-Vanuatu know about Table Tennis and the success this country has within the sport.

What are your career highlights?

Winning the first Gold medal for the Vanuatu women’s team in 2003 at the Fiji Pacific Games. This result and my amazing experiences so far mean I will continue to support the sport for as long as possible. I want to be there to support the federation to ensure table tennis continues here in Vanuatu.

What are you looking forward to the most about the 2017 Pacific Mini Games?

We are the hosts and we are organising the competition. It is an amazing opportunity for all of us in Vanuatu – athletes, the community, participants, volunteers, children – everyone!

I thank Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu for supporting me and my participation with the games and allowing me as an individual to take time out of my position to be involved.

Ham 510x323

Ham – Vanuatu Table Tennis Champion

Ham Frexly Lulu, Vanuatu Table Tennis Champion – Offensive player, lover of the sport and his amazingly supportive family. When Ham isn’t slamming those balls across the table, he’s greeting guests in his role as Duty Manager at Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu.

 

Where do you call home, where were you born? Tell us a bit about your family.

I call Vanuatu home. I was born on Gaua Island which is part of the Banks group.

My family is made up of myself, my two older sisters and of course my parents. My sisters are my motivation and my parents are my biggest fans!

Tell us about yourself.

I work as a receptionist at Holiday Inn Resort Vanuatu and I also do volunteer work in schools and communities around Port Vila as well as help NGO’s.

I began my Table Tennis career in 2000 when my sisters started, they introduced the sport to me. I am driven to become one of the best at the sport in the Pacific and Oceania. I thoroughly enjoy the travel that comes with the game at my level. I feel very lucky to see and experiences other cultures.

In addition to Table Tennis, I love to play soccer, basketball and tennis.

What do you enjoy about the sport the most?

Winning medals for me, my family, my country and its people.

What do you enjoy the least about the sport?

Not winning medal at a tournament.

What have been your career highlights and major achievements for Table Tennis?

I succeeded and won a gold medal in the men’s doubles in the Cook Islands in 2009. I have also won silver in the men’s doubles in the Oceania Championship in Australia in 2014. I will continue to play until I win GOLD!

Who is your coach and how do they motivate you?

I have many coaches that come from China and they have motivated me by providing me with outstanding training opportunities.

What do you feel your main strengths in your sport are?

My main strength is my team. Our team work and training/practice makes everything perfect.

What are you looking forward to the most about the Vanuatu Pacific Mini Games?

To fight hard and win medals for my own country, in my own country. Every moment of the Vanuatu games is amazing and I’m loving it! Vanu-pawa, never give up!