New champions crowned at Swansea Open 2025

Building from the success of last year’s Swansea Open, this year saw the highest number of entries into the event to date, with a staggering 133 from all categories, including the new Doubles Open category.

The future of table tennis in Wales and the sport’s vibrant energy was in the spotlight on Saturday, with U13s, U11s, Cadets (U15s), Juniors (U19s) and U21s categories taking place.

 

U11s

Talented prospect Alfie Giles of Cam Gears overcame top seed Timmy Muil of Penlan in the group stages, before defeating Sebastian Green in the fifth in the semis, and later winning the event by beating Toby Francis-Li in straight sets. Meanwhile, Evan Jones beat Sophie Williams of Rhondda to claim the plate event.

U13s

Second seed Dylan Williams triumphed over fellow Rhondda teammate Oliver James Harvey in the final in the fifth, while in the plate event, Toby got his revenge on Alfie, beating him in straight but very close sets.

U15s

Dylan Williams showed his class once again, collecting his second title of the day with a fifth-set victory over second seed Amelie David and a straight-sets win against Jenson Denton-Smith in straight sets, before overcoming Aneurin Evans 3-1 in the final. Will Parsonage collected the plate winner medal, overcoming Alfie Giles of Cam Gears.

U19s

Oliver Jordan stormed through the finals and later won the event, beating Penlan’s rising star Jacob Davies.

U21s

Swansea University Table Tennis Club’s number-one, Jie Fu Tham, justified his top seedingafter winning the event without dropping a set, from the group stages all the way to the final.

 

The Sunday welcomed an experienced and cool atmosphere with the Senior, Veterans, and the inaugural Open Doubles events.

 

MEN’S OPEN

Swansea University Table Tennis Club’s number-one and ex-England star Jie Fu Tham won the event with a mix of drama and fashion. A shock defeat at the hands of Manchester’s Steven Gao (2-3) meant Jeff finished runner-up in his group, putting him in the opposite bracket of the draw. The two met once again, this time Fu Tham beating Steven in straight sets in the semis and setting up a final against last year’s champion, Christopher Bush. Digging deep, Fu Tham came out on top to be crowned champion.

WOMEN’S

Rhondda’s pride Lily Walters stormed through the finals. The passing of the torch was felt when Lily beat the formidable Catherine Jones in an impressive three straight sets (8,8,9).

VETERAN’S

Newton Abbot’s Kevin Nicholls made his trip to Swansea worthwhile as he brought home the title, beating Catherine Jones in the final in the fifth.

OPEN DOUBLES

The inaugural doubles event was baptised by the power couple of Jacob and Sally beating Nottingham University’s Javier Goh and Manchester’s Steven Gao.