Austria Youth Open proves valuable learning experience for Welsh athletes

Table Tennis Wales youth athletes performed brilliantly to gather a host of encouraging results and valuable experiences for the future at the recent Austria Youth Open.  

The tournament took place in Linz, Austria and, offering young players the opportunity to become accustomed to a competitive environment against athletes of similar ages, it proved a successful event for Wales in many respects.  

Representing Wales were Harri Docherty and Oscar Marriott at U19 level, Lowri Hurd, Darcey Taylor, Ruby Elliott and Toby Harwood at U17 level, and Lily Walters, Amelie David, Harry Street and Austin Hibbert at U15 level. 

Among the brilliant performances from all of our young athletes were some key highlights.  

In the Boys Championship event, Harri Docherty came away with a bronze medal while also placing fifth with his partner in the U19 Boys Team Championship.  

Darcey Taylor managed a sixth-placed finish in the U19 Girls Team Championship while also picking up bronze in the U17 Girls Challenge Event.  

Lily Walters and Amelie David shone in the U15 Girls Team Challenge Event, picking up silver medals. 

Lowri Hurd left Linz with a sensational record under her belt, winning ten of her 13 matches in the U19 Team and U17 Singles events, beating the Swedish number two at U19 level in the process. 

The event also proved a valuable learning experience for the entirety of the Wales team that travelled out to Austria.  

National Coach Joshua Morgan commented: 

“For some of the younger players, who have less or no European experience prior to this, it was a fantastic learning experience on and off the table with players averaging 20 matches each over five intense days, with the need to balance energy levels with good nutrition and hydration.  

“All round, it was a great event, and we’ll now look to add all our learnings into the training for the players to improve on multiple areas.”