Tin-Tin Ho has been named Young Sports Person of the Year at the inaugural Lycamobile British Ethnic Diversity Sports Awards.

The 16-year-old from Paddington collected the accolade at a ceremony attended by 500 people at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena last night.

The outcome was decided partly by public vote and partly by a panel of experts and is rewarded for a stellar year for Tin-Tin who, among other successes, won mixed doubles silver at the Commonwealth Games and competed at the World Junior Championships.

She was shortlisted from a large list of nominees for the Youth Sports Trust Young Sports Person of the Year award and was in good company among the winners as England cricketer Moeen Ali, gymnastics star Becky Downie and Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis also scooped honours – Lewis getting the Lifetime Achievement award.

Olympic champions Christine Ohorougu and Jason Gardener, plus rugby world cup winner Maggie Alphonsi were also on the guest list – as was Table Tennis England Chair Sandra Deaton.

“It was a really good night,” said Tin-Tin. “I didn’t expect it to be so big. When we went in, they were taking photos and doing interviews. I was sitting next to Ali Jawad the weightlifter, who won the inspirational performance award, so that was quite cool.

“It feels really good to win the award and it’s good publicity for table tennis. I want to thank my family and Table Tennis England for encouraging people to vote for me, and all the people who voted.”