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.
