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PAUL DRINKHALL aims to bounce back from the disappointment of losing his English title by securing Olympic qualification this week.

The British number one, from Loftus in Cleveland, is among 128 players vying for 11 places at the five-day European Championships in France starting today.

The world's top 20 automatically qualify for the Beijing Games, where Drinkhall hopes to become the first Briton to claim an Olympic medal since table tennis was introduced to the programme 20 years ago.

But while the 18-year-old has time on his side, he knows he is faced with a tough task given his ranking on the world stage is 194.

Drinkhall, defeated by Andrew Baggaley in the men's final of the English national Championships on Sunday in Sheffield, is optimistic and looking forward to the challenge in Nantes this week.

"It will be difficult," said Drinkhall. "There will be loads of matches and it will be unbelievably tiring but if I can perform I will be hopeful of going to Beijing.

"These are the sort of tournaments that challenge every aspect of your game. It will be really hard but I want to be there.

I'm really excited about playing."

Drinkhall - one of The Northern Echo's Dreams of Gold hopefuls - trains six days a week, six hours a day and his grand plan is aimed at competing in the 2012 Olympics.

"Two years ago we were always saying Beijing was too early," he said.

"I have come a very long way in the last year. I've got a fairly good chance if I play well and if I don't then I will focus on 2012."

11:01am Wednesday 2nd April 2008

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