Young medallists tell of their pride

Ten young national champions were crowned at the U10-U13 National Championships in Kettering over the weekend. Here, they reflect on their achievements.

The champions included twins Connor and Anna Green from Nottingham, while Cambridgeshire’s Sophie Chiang won two singles titles.

Click here for the day one report

Click here for the day two report

Click here to see photos from the event on Flickr (by Michael Loveder)

Connor and Anna Green

Connor won the Under-11 Boys’ Singles, defeating Jakub Piwowar 3-0 (11-0, 11-7, 11-8), while Anna won the Under-11 Girls’ Singles, beating Isabelle Lacorte 3-1 (11-7, 7-11, 11-9, 11-4).

Anna said:

I’m really relieved because I’ve done lots of training and I wanted to win this one because it’s the biggest one we work for.

It gave me a bit more oomph when he won because I didn’t want to be the one who didn’t win it.

Connor added:

I’m ecstatic because I had more pressure because I was defending a title (he won the under-10s last year).

It’s good to win again and it’s better than the other tournaments I’ve won this year because this is where all the top players come to try and be the best.

I’m pleased for Anna because last year she was unlucky not to win, so I’m happy she could do it this time.

Sophie Chiang

Won the Under-13 Girls’ Singles, defeating Mari Baldwin 3-2 (6-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-5, 11-8) and the Under-12 Girls’ Singles, beating Amy Marriott 3-0 (11-5, 11-1, 11-7).

I didn’t really expect to win the under-13s but I wanted to go home with something at least.

I just wanted to try my best and as long as I stayed calm and didn’t have a bad attitude I knew I would be fine.

Beating Ruby Chan (the top seed, in the U13 semi-finals) was my best win, but I also played really well in the under-12 final.

Jamie Liu

Won the Under-13 Boys’ Singles, defeating Louis Price 3-1 (5-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4) and the Under-13 Boys’ Doubles alongside Louis Price, beating Naphong Boonyaprapa & Rhys Davies 3-2 (9-11, 5-11, 14-12, 11-9, 11-4), having been 2-0 and 10-6 down.

Coming in I had high expectations and to be able to deliver a good performance and a good result is a relief. I feel really happy about it.

This one is particularly special because it’s my last Nationals for 10-13s and having not won the Under-13 title previously, it’s a good result.

When we were down all those match points the key thing was to keep fighting and stay positive and go for it one point at a time.

Louis Price

Won the Under-13 Boys’ Doubles alongside Jamie Liu, beating Naphong Boonyaprapa & Rhys Davies 3-2 (9-11, 5-11, 14-12, 11-9, 11-4), having been 2-0 and 10-6 down.

In the singles I was a bit disappointed because I had my chances, but he played well.

I enjoyed the doubles final because we were 2-0 and 10-6 down and it was good that we were fighting all the time. I think it was good team work.

Anaya Patel

Won the Under-13 Girls’ Doubles alongside Ruby Chan, beating Millie Rogove & Samadhi Udamulla 3-2 (11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 9-11, 11-3).

It feels really good. I knew it would be tough to win the gold but we played well.

Ruby Chan

Won the Under-13 Girls’ Doubles alongside Anaya Patel, beating Millie Rogove & Samadhi Udamulla 3-2 (11-9, 11-7, 7-11, 9-11, 11-3).

I’m happy to win the doubles gold but disappointed with the singles. Obviously because of my ranking I was expected to win but Sophie is a good player.

It was good to win the doubles together with Anaya.

Naphong Boonyaprapa

Won the Under-12 Boys’ Singles, defeating Felix Thomis 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-7)

I think I’ve played really well this weekend and I’ve got more than I expected.

Normally, the pressure gets to me and I play not to my usual standard but this time I think I got over the pressure.

This is my first Nationals, so I’m really glad to win the trophy.

Oliver Maric-Murray

Won the Under-10 Boys’ Singles, defeating Jakub Piwowar 3-0 (11-3, 11-6, 14-12)

I’m happy because last year I came second but I’ve done more training since then and I had belief that I could win.

Bethany Ellis

Won the round-robin Under-10 Girls’ Singles

It feels spectacular. My tactics were short serve to the forehand then smash it to the backhand.

Author: via Table Tennis England
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