The Official Website of the British No.1 and Triple European Champion
Part 3 English Senior and European Youth Domination On the October 2006 ETTA ranking list, Paul is named the English No. 1 Senior player for the first time in his career, becoming the youngest English No. 1 for twenty years. He has occupied this position up to the present date, as well as being number one Junior uninterrupted since the age of 14. Paul is now winning ITTF Global Junior competitions around the world, and is number 4 in the Under 18 world rankings ages just 16. He has several tussles with the young Japanese star Kenta Matsudaira, winning one and losing two - the players being almost evenly matched in every area, there matches giving table tennis fans a glimpse of what might be to come over the course of there careers. He ends 2006 on a high, still ranked No 1 on the English Senior and Junior lists and No. 1 European Junior. Early 2007 sees Paul at the Sydney Youth Olympics; he returns home with two silver medals and one gold medal. Partnering Darius Knight they win the Junior Boys doubles and the silver medal in the team event. Paul is narrowly defeated in the final by his opponent from Chinese Taipei, Chiang Hung-Chieh in the deciding game in an exceptionally tight match. In mid 2007, Paul almost causes the sensation of the competition by narrowly missing out on defeating the current reigning Olympic Champion Ryu Seung Min at the China Open. He leads 10 - 8 in the deciding seventh game before Ryu first plays a spectacular point and then has some good fortune at 9 - 10 down. Ryu is away from the table, pinned to the barriers defending against Paul's smash attack before his return catches a net and then an edge to see him draw level at 10 - 10. He eventually wins 14 - 12, and although disapointed it is clear that Paul now has the game and is nearing the standard where he can beat the worlds elite. Going into the English Senior National Championships in March 2007, Paul is the firm favourite to take the title. He is a cut above the rest of the field, taking gold in the Men's doubles event before storming to the Singles final where he meets former twice champion and defending champion Alex Perry. Paul plays some breathtaking table tennis to take the match 4-1 and his first English Senior National crown. There is surprises at the European Youth Championships in July 2007; Despite being seeded one and hot favourite, Paul does not win the singles title. Although he had dominated European competitions all year, a mix up of schedules prior to the competition meant Paul missing a vital training camp and spoiling his preparation. Despite this he still manages to come away with two gold medals in the team event, where he remains unbeaten, and the mixed doubles event. Much of 2008 is spent in preparation for the real tests of the year, the Olympic Qualification in France in March and the European Youth Championships in Italy. Paul wins several ITTF Global Junior events throughout the season and continues adding to his already impressive arsenal of titles. The Senior National Championships in 2008 sees Paul starting as clear No.1 and hot favourite to defend his title. He wins the Men's doubles and after a relatively untroubled route faces surprise finalist Andrew Baggaley. With one eye clearly on the Olympic qualification two days later in Nantes France, Paul never seems really there in the match succumbing 4-1 to the surprise of everyone. Paul, at 18 years old not really expected to qualify for Beijing 2008, fights his way through to being one match away from an Olympic place. He defeats Grujic of Serbia sensationally 4-0. Eloi, the experienced wicked serving Frenchman, manages to just defeat Paul in a 7 game nail biter. Paul's Olympic dreams are put on hold until 2012 which is his real focus. The other massive competition of the year is the European Youth Championships in Terni, Italy. Paul is massive favourite to take the singles title; England lose in the quarter finals of the team event to an inspired Sweden, however Paul does stay undefeated throughout. He wins the mixed doubles with his Russian partner Kolodyazhnaya, defeating team mate Darius Knight and his German partner Solja in the final, before pairing with Knight to win the Junior Boys Doubles. In the singles, Paul is made to fight hard and show true determination by his last 32 round opponent Floritz of Germany, final prevailing 8 in the deciding 7th game. Le Guen of France manages to steal a single set but Paul runs out a comfortable 4-1 winner, to set up a quarter final clash with Fertikowski of Poland. Paul plays sensational table tennis to win 4-0 over the stylish Pole. Another 4-0 win over Hungarian Daniel Kosiba at the penultimate stage sets up an intriguing final with the battle hardened Russian Shibaev, who had beaten Paul's England team mate Darius Knight in the semi final. Paul goes two nil up before a lapse in concentration allows the Russian to take the next two games and draw level. Paul snatches the next before the Russian shows his fighting spirit to take the next game setting up a nail biting seventh set. In a match he never looks like losing, Paul prevails 11-6 and is crowned European Youth Champion. He becomes the most successful player in the history of the event; unbeaten in the team event, and three gold medals from a possible four are claimed by the young Englishman. So what does the future hold for Paul? Next year will be his first full year as a senior play despite all these years representing the England Senior Team already. He will now be able to focus purely on his Senior ranking. He has confirmed he will be playing for the renowned German Bundesliga team TTC Indeland Julich this year and coming off the back of his recent glorious performance at the Euro Youths they will rightfully be expecting big things. 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