A teenager from Ipswich will be representing England in the table tennis championships – and said it will be one of the “toughest challenges” he has faced so far.
Isaac Kinghman will soon be making his way to Sweden to take part in the upcoming Table Tennis European Youth Championships, which are being held from July 12 to 21 in Malmo.
The 16-year-old is currently ranked third in England at under-17 level.
A former pupil at Ormiston Endeavour Academy in Defore Road, but moved in September to the Charles Read Academy, a table tennis performance centre in Grantham to combine his studies and sport.
Since then, Isaac has enjoyed success on both the national and international stage, winning medals at both the u19 and u21 age categories domestically, despite being only 15 at the time.
Internationally, Isaac achieved a bronze medal in the mixed doubles at the World Table Tennis Youth Contender in Podgorica, Montenegro, together with a silver medal in the u15s singles boys’ event.
Just days after completing his GCSEs, Isaac commenced three weeks of rigorous training for the European youth championships – and was overjoyed to be selected to compete.
Isaac said: "Obviously, it feels amazing to be selected to play in such a prestigious event having only just turned 16. Playing in the u19 categories will be one of the toughest challenges I have faced so far, and I look forward to competing against the best players in Europe.”
Aad Kwakkelstein is head coach at Britannia Table Tennis Club, where Isaac plays.
He said: “Even at his young age, Isaac has shown an exceptional attitude to developing himself to become one of the best players in the UK.
“He approaches his sport as a professional player. This has also helped him deal with his change of environment and with the challenges of studying for his GCSE exams.
“If he maintains this attitude, he can go far in table tennis."
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