CLEVELAND table tennis player Paul Drinkhall insists it is high time he started taking his chances as he bids to break back into the world’s top 100 before the year is out.
The 20-year-old reached a career-high 90th back in March, but he has since dropped to 161st following a string of below-par performances, including May’s World Team Championships in Moscow.
Drinkhall won six but lost five in Russia as England finished 38th overall, but he will have the chance to redeem himself with a busy next three months scheduled.
The British No 1 will travel to the Czech Republic in September for the European Championships and then off to India less than a month later for the Commonwealth Games.
And having dropped to his lowest world ranking since October 2008, the former Guisborough Laurence Jackson School pupil has vowed not to let opportunities pass him by at the Europeans and Commonwealths.
“I have always known that I have what it takes to be in the top 100, but it took so long to actually do it and it seemed so hard,” said Drinkhall. “When I was younger, I broke from 300 to 150 really quickly. It just takes a few decent wins, but to break into the top 100 you have to beat some top, top players.
“I’ve had so many matches which would’ve put me top 50 – I’ve had match points against some really good players but obviously I haven’t done that yet.
“I’m back out of the top 100 again now, but it was actually a good season until the end. I didn’t really perform to my best at the World Team Championships and lost a couple of matches I shouldn’t have.
“But I know that the level is there. It’s just something missing – maybe experience.
But going to the Europeans and the Commonwealths should really help that.”
Drinkhall has long been seen as British table tennis’ face of London 2012 and was given a behind-the-scenes tour of the Olympic Park to coincide with the two years to go mark on Tuesday.
At 20, Drinkhall is surprisingly the oldest member of the English team and while addressing the task in hand, he is adamant age will play into his favour come 2012.
“It’s amazing to think there’s only two years to go, and while it doesn’t sound so close, if you get a year that flies by – all of a sudden you’re only another year away,” he added.
“Qualification comes before the Olympics, so you need to start pushing down and making sure every time you’re on the table or in the gym. You’re thinking about it and focusing.
“I think there’s a group of five or six of us now really realising what sort of opportunity we’ve got with 2012 being in London.
“It’s difficult for such a young team and it takes a little bit longer to sink in with younger people than with others but the team is working really hard now.”
■ Visa is proud to be Presenting Partner of Team 2012, a team of 1,200 athletes across the UK who are aiming to compete at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For more information go to lifeflowsbetter.com
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