Jersey table tennis player Hannah Silcock says she is relishing the chance to take on Europe’s best later this month, when she represents the island at the European Championships in Slovenia. It will be her first appearance at the senior event.
The 19-year-old is ranked 340th in the world in women’s singles and 135th in Europe. She has become Jersey’s most successful table tennis player, and her build-up includes a run at the European Junior Championships in July, where she reached the last 64 in the mixed doubles after an early exit in the singles.
“It’s my first senior Europeans. I played the junior Europeans in the summer, now a first senior competition I think it’s just seeing how I get along against these players,” she told local radio.
“I’m just trying to pick up a few good wins here and there and just kind of get a feel for it really.”
Commonwealth Games breakthrough
Silcock first drew national attention at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. At just 15, she pushed top-ranked England player Tin Tin Ho in the last 32 of the women’s singles before losing 4-2.
In the lead-up to the European Championships, she has trained alongside Great Britain’s elite players in Sheffield. She has also competed in France and Sweden.
Rising through the rankings
Silcock has climbed the world rankings over the past year and is now the sixth-best ranked British woman in the world. She is also ranked 110th in the junior world rankings.
She credits her progress to a decision to concentrate fully on the sport.
“Taking a year out just to focus on playing table tennis has definitely enhanced my game,” she said.
“I went to Japan for a couple of weeks in the summer which was amazing and the training was so good – I feel like it’s definitely improved my game.
“I’ve seen a big jump in the rankings, so I’ve put myself in a good position and I’m really looking forward to seeing what comes next.”