Champions crowned at 2026 Bangor Open

The 2026 Bangor Open Table Tennis Competition once again proved to be a standout event on the Welsh table tennis calendar, bringing together players from across Wales and England for a full day of high-quality, competitive, and enjoyable table tennis.

Although the event was streamlined from two days into a single-day format, this change did nothing to dampen either the standard of play or the enthusiasm on display. From the youngest juniors to the most experienced veterans, competitors showcased outstanding skill, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the day.

A First-Class Venue

The competition was hosted at Brailsford Sports Centre, a venue that continues to provide fantastic playing conditions. With excellent lighting, ample space, and a professional setup, the environment allowed players to perform at their very best. The venue once again received praise from players and officials alike for its optimal conditions and welcoming atmosphere.

A Format Designed for Everyone

One of the key aims of the Bangor Open is to provide excellent value for money while ensuring that every player enjoys meaningful competition. To achieve this, many categories featured both Main Knockout and Plate Knockout events.

This format allowed the strongest players to battle it out for the main titles, while also giving players who did not finish in the top two of their groups a valuable opportunity to continue competing. Importantly, Gold and Silver medals were awarded for both Main and Plate events, ensuring that achievement at all levels was recognised and celebrated.

Medallists

Under 11s
Winner: Rushdan Shariff (South Wales)
Runner-Up: Harry Wayland (Northop, North Wales)

Under 13s
A large round-robin group of seven players ensured plenty of matches for all competitors.
Winner: Toby Young (Rhondda, Cardiff)
Runner-Up: Evan Jones (Rhondda, Cardiff)

Cadets (Under 15s)
Main Event Winner: Toby Young (Rhondda, Cardiff)
Main Event Runner-Up: Ellis Phillips-Pugh (North Wales)

Plate Winner: Harry Wayland (Northop, North Wales)
Plate Runner-Up: Tomos Brady (Northop, North Wales)

Juniors (Under 19s)
Winner: Liam Pinder (Lancaster, England)
Runner-Up: Toby Young (Rhondda, Cardiff)

Under 21s
Joseph Ilia continued his dominance, successfully defending his title for the second year running.
Main Event Winner: Joseph Ilia (England)
Main Event Runner-Up: Nathan Collins (England)

Plate Winner: Abbas Walji (Bangor University)
Plate Runner-Up: Jake Lloyd (Ewloe, North Wales)

Seniors
Main Event Winner: Shaun Hall (Cheshire, England)
Main Event Runner-Up: Yameen Al Dahiri (England)

Plate Winner: Nathan Collins (England)
Plate Runner-Up: Amir Zaki

Over 40s
Main Event Winner: Gavin Jones (Rhondda, Cardiff)
Main Event Runner-Up: Brian Jeanes (Wales)

Plate Winner: Jens Andersen (England)
Plate Runner-Up: Keith Williams (Amlwch, North Wales)

Over 60s
Main Event Winner: Brian Jeanes (Wales)
Main Event Runner-Up: Paul Collins (Amlwch, North Wales)

Plate Winner: Jens Andersen (Chester, England)
Plate Runner-Up: Ian Ault (Amlwch, North Wales)

Thanks and Acknowledgements

“I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all players who competed in the very best spirit of the game, and who also helped with the pack-down at the end of the day—your support and cooperation are greatly appreciated,” said TTW Regional Development Officer for the Nort, Aaron Beech.

“A special thank you goes to Claire Biddle, Head of Participation at Table Tennis Wales, and Sarah Palmer, Head of Competition at Table Tennis Wales. Their presence and support once again demonstrated a strong TTW commitment to these fantastic events.

“I would also like to give a very special thank you to Peter Higgins for his tireless hard work and dedication. Not only responsible for refereeing, Peter was an integral part of the entire event—always pitching in wherever needed and playing a vital role in its smooth running.

“My gratitude also extends to the Bangor University team for their continued support of this event and all Bangor Open competitions, as well as to all Bangor Sports Centre staff, who consistently go above and beyond to accommodate our needs and ensure everything runs seamlessly.”

Looking Ahead

The Bangor Open 2026 once again highlighted the strength, depth, and community spirit of table tennis in Wales and beyond. With competitive matches across all age groups and a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere, the event continues to go from strength to strength.

We look forward to building on this success and welcoming everyone back for future Bangor Open events.