Sam Walker’s impressive run at the 2012/13 English Senior National Table Tennis Championships has earned him a place in the England squad for the World Table Tennis Championships (Paris, France 13-20th May).
Walker, who plays the majority of his table tennis in Germany with club TTC Selingenstadt, returned to England over the weekend to put in an inspired performance at the Nationals, winning the Men’s Under 21s and making the semi-finals in the Men’s Singles.
He will now head to Paris in May to push his claim for a senior England place on a consistent basis.
In a similar vein to Walker, Karina Le Fevre has been re-selected for the England squad following her impressive National Championships in Sheffield.
Although it ultimately finished in an unsatisfactory manner for Le Fevre, who fought back from 3-0 and 11-10 down against Kelly Sibley to lead 3-3 and 12-11 only to lose in the end 14-12, she still displayed considerable potential for the international stage.
The remaining four members of the squad are no surprise with both respective English numbers 1 and 2, and finalists from the National Championships, selected for the World Championships.
New Men’s Singles Champion Liam Pitchford is joined by runner-up Paul Drinkhall, while Women’s Singles Champion Kelly Sibley will play alongside fellow finalist Joanna Parker.
England squads for World Table Tennis Championships (Paris, France 13-20th May 2012)
Men:
Paul Drinkhall, Liam Pitchford and Sam Walker
Women:
Joanna Parker, Kelly Sibley and Karina Le Fevre
Coaches:
Jia Yi Liu, Alan Cooke and Nick Jarvis