Media Release

1 October 2024

Table tennis competition to heat up as juniors vie for glory

Up-and-coming table tennis stars, including a Paris 2024 Olympian, will return serve this weekend when they go head-to-head at the World Table Tennis Youth Contender Darwin.

The contender, a key fixture on the international calendar, will bring together some of the best young players from around the world. Competition runs from Thursday 3 October to Sunday 6 October 2024 and promises exciting matches and a glimpse of future talent in the sport.

Players will represent Australia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, India, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Denmark, and New Zealand to compete for age-category world ranking points in U11; U13; U15; U17 and U19 years girl’s and boy’s singles and mixed doubles.

The Australian team features Olympian Nicholas Lum, currently with a world ranking of 34. He is currently ranked 2 in Australian men’s rankings and is an Oceania Men’s Singles Champion. He last played in this event in 2019. Other Australian players include Connie Psyhogios ranked 1 in Australia in U21, U19 and U17 girl’s singles; Sanaya Buddhadasa ranked 2 in AUS in U19 girl’s and 3 in U21 women’s rankings; Alice Qinle ranked 1 in Australia in U15 and U13 girl’s singles; and Lawrence Fan ranked 1 in Australia in U13 boy’s singles.

Lawrence, Sanaya and Connie have played in this event in previous years, with Lawrence winning gold and Connie silver. Darwin’s own Sebastian Lai, Runshu Li and Antara Pancha will compete in the competition.

Held at Marrara Indoor Stadium, the competition is free for spectators, and provides a great opportunity to see high-level sport in Darwin.

The World Table Tennis Youth Contender Darwin is supported by Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory Major Events Company’s Event Funding Program.

To find out more head to worldtabletennis.com/eventInfo?eventId=2839 [http://www.worldtabletennis.com/eventInfo?eventId=2839]

Quotes from Northern Territory Major Events Company Acting CEO Trevor Cox:

“The World Table Tennis Youth Contender Darwin puts the region on the map for world-class youth table tennis competitors looking to move up in the sport.

“Attracting people from all over the world to compete, Darwin is a destination to gain world ranking points and an opportunity to immerse in some truly Australian experiences from exploring Kakadu National Park and holding a baby crocodile.”

Quotes from Table Tennis Australia President Graham Symons:

“A player to watch this year is Nicholas Lum in the Under 19 Boys and Under 19 Mixed Doubles. Nicholas has represented Australia in both the Commonwealth Games and the Paris Olympics and is ranked No. 2 in Australia in the men’s rankings. He will also represent Australia in the upcoming World Youth Championships.”

Media Contact: NTMEC Media 0412 352 850

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