Table Tennis Canada is thrilled to welcome back Dora Kurimay as a featured presenter in our Professional Development Series for Coaches. A former elite Table Tennis athlete for Hungary turned mental performance coach, author, and speaker, Dora brings a unique and inspiring perspective to coaching. After her highly impactful first session, we’re excited to have her back for a second presentation focused on practical strategies to develop mental strength and resilience in sport.
Don’t miss her session on May 7th at 7:00 PM ET, where she’ll share tools to help coaches and athletes thrive — not just in competition, but in life. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/Mr46616wMoxtwbAE9
Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to specialize in mental performance?
I grew up in Budapest, Hungary, in a very sports-driven family. The question was never whether I would play a sport, but which one! Skiing, soccer, tennis, sailing — I tried many things. But it was Table Tennis that stuck, especially after my second cousin, a professional player, brought me to Statisztika, the only female Table Tennis club in Budapest.
That decision opened the door to competing around the world, experiencing different cultures, and ultimately discovering my passion for the mental side of performance.
With a psychiatrist father, I grew up hearing names like Freud, Jung, and Fromm around the house. But it wasn’t until I faced my own challenges as an elite athlete — including a serious ankle injury — that I realized the power of the mind in sport. Working with a sports psychologist helped me discover “flow,” and it changed everything.
Today, I combine my background in competitive sport with advanced degrees in psychology and sport psychology to coach athletes, coaches, and professionals in building the mental skills necessary for performance and personal growth.
What experiences have shaped your approach to mental performance coaching?
My own journey as an athlete taught me that success isn’t just about skill or strength — it’s about how you handle adversity. I learned to focus on what I could control: my effort, mindset, preparation, and attitude.
Some of the core strategies I now teach include:
– Attitude: Stay positive, even in tough moments
– Motivation: Stay connected to your “why”
– Goal Setting: Setting realistic, process-driven goals.
– Breathing and Self-Talk: Using calming techniques and affirmations.
– Routines Between Points: using rituals between points to increase confidence and focus.
– Game Preparation: Creating rituals that build confidence.
– Nutrition, Hydration, Sleep, and Recovery: Balancing physical training with mental care.
I’ve also lived in different countries, adapted to new cultures, and recovered from setbacks. These experiences helped me develop a holistic approach, where small, consistent mental habits lead to big results — in sport and beyond.
Why is mental performance important for coaches and athletes?
Mental performance is what allows good athletes to become great — and great athletes to be consistent. For athletes, it’s about resilience, confidence, and composure. Tools like visualization, self-talk, and preparation routines help them stay focused, manage nerves, and bounce back from mistakes. Just like physical conditioning, mental skills need to be trained regularly.
For coaches, understanding mental performance is essential. You set the tone and culture for your team. When you support your athletes’ mental development, you help them perform better and support their mental health. That’s how you create well-rounded athletes — and stronger teams.
It’s not just about peak performance. It’s about long-term growth and well-being.
Can you share a personal success story where mental strategies made a big impact?
Absolutely. Early in my career, I broke my ankle. Physically, I recovered — but mentally, I was full of doubt. Could I ever perform the same again? I leaned heavily into mental training — visualization, self-talk, breathing routines. These tools helped me rebuild my confidence and eventually became the foundation of the work I do today.
One athlete I worked with was an Olympic swimmer who experienced anxiety before big races. We built rituals around breathing, mindset, and focus. Over time, she transformed her approach — showing up calm, prepared, and confident.
Another client, a collegiate squash player, struggled to stay focused under pressure. We developed visualization scripts, pre-point routines, and “mistake reset” techniques. The change wasn’t just in performance — it was in confidence and presence. Mental performance is a game-changer, whether you’re an athlete, coach, or leader.
What final message would you like to share with coaches attending your session?
As coaches, you are mentors, leaders, and role models. Your influence reaches far beyond the court or table.
Help your athletes shift from perfectionism to progress, from fear to confidence. Encourage routines that build mental consistency, and never underestimate the power of supportive coaching environments. You’re not just developing competitors — you’re shaping resilient, focused, emotionally strong human beings.
Thank you for your dedication to coaching and for embracing the mental side of the game. I’m excited to support your journey and see you all on May 7th at 7 PM ET!
