Young table tennis star Marcus Giles is not content with his latest victory – he now has his eye on the Olympics.
Marcus, 13, from Kingston, recently won the Surrey U18 Open Championship title in the sport. He has also been the England No 1 in his age group since he was 10 years old.
The Greenhouse Progress Table Tennis Club member says he is now aiming towards an Olympic appearance.
The Hollyfields School student won his latest trophy at the Graham Spicer Club in New Malden. He also won £100 worth of vouchers.
Marcus said: “I just enjoy it. My dad got me in to it. I’d go along with him to his league matches to watch and end up just playing on any spare tables. It just went from there. I want to go to an Olympics one day.”
Marcus’s dad has recently forked out £6,000 to have a purpose built practice centre for his son in the back garden.
His coach Steve said: “There are always people trying to knock him off his perch and he doesn’t want that to happen.
“It is useful having the table at home because we can be a bit more flexible. If he doesn’t want to practice I don’t push him, but he knows other people are out there practising to get one over on him.”
Marcus won the U13 national title and national schools crown this year. The Sport England-backed youngster is also sponsored by table tennis equipment giant Butterfly.