Photo by Michael Loveder
Tin-Tin HO is aiming to make history at the English Mark Bates Ltd National Championships in Nottingham. The England No 1 is currently level on seven Women’s Singles titles, alongside 1976 European champion Jill PARKER (Hammersley).
Another victory at the competition from 20-22 March would see her set a new record with her eighth title.
“It feels good to be going for the record, but I’ll approach it the same as all the other years, it doesn’t feel any different in that way,” said HO.
“It would be an honour to have the record. I think it would mean a lot to my family as well, so I really hope I can do it for them.”
Ho’s main challenger is likely to be Tianer YU, who last year led the final 3-0 before HO recovered to win 4-3 (7-11, 9-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5, 11-5). She also beat YU 4-3 in the semi-finals in 2024.
Jasmin WONG and Ella PASHLEY, who represented England at the 2025 European Championships, will also challenge for medals, alongside Sophie EARLEY.
In the Men’s Singles, defending champion Liam PITCHFORD, who has won the title seven times, is not competing as he recovers from an operation. Two-time champion Tom JARVIS will be the top seed and Paul DRINKHALL, also seven-time winner, will aim to move a step closer to the all-time record of 11, held by Desmond DOUGLAS.
The other former champion in the field is Andrew BAGGALEY, who has won three titles and last year beat DRINKHALL in the quarter-finals before losing to PITCHFORD in the semi-finals.
Last year’s beaten finalist, David MCBEATH, and rising star Connor GREEN will also be aiming to be on the podium.
As well as the two singles titles, three doubles pairs will be crowned champions. Last year, twins Connor & Anna GREEN won the Mixed Doubles for the first time, and YU & Mari BALDWIN won the Women’s Doubles, also a first senior National title for both.
The Men’s Doubles was won by DRINKHALL & Sam WALKER and was DRINKHALL’S 15th title in the event, moving him level with Douglas at the top of the all-time list.
In the para competitions, Paralympic medallists Jack HUNTER-SPIVEY and Billy SHILTON will have the chance to defend the respective Class 2-5 and Class 6-10 titles they won last year.
The action from the Finals Day on Sunday 22 March will be streamed live on Table Tennis England’s YouTube channel.
