Table tennis ace to compete at Commonwealths

One of the first athletes to be supported by Derbyshire Institute of Sport has secured his place at this summer’s Commonwealth Games.

Team England has announced Liam Pitchford will be going for gold again and joining 12 players at the event in Birmingham.

The 28-year-old is the men’s defending men’s doubles champions alongside Paul Drinkhall and is keen to get on the medals podium again.

The duo won the doubles gold at the Gold Coast Commonwealths in Australia in 2018.

Liam, from Chesterfield, is one of England’s most decorated athletes at the Commonwealths, with eight medals from three previous games.

He represented Team GB at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics and played with doubles partner Tin-Tin Ho at the Tokyo Games last year.

Liam was one of the first athletes to become a member of DIS, which is the only organisation of its kind in the UK launched in 2012 as a London Olympics legacy programme.

DIS provides world-class support for youngsters and offers them the competitive advantage they need to become a champion.

Each member of the DIS team has either been a top athlete or regarded as a leader in their field.

Managing director Chloe Maudsley said: “We are delighted to see Liam representing his country again and it is a tremendous honour for him.

“We are proud of everything that Liam has achieved, and we look forward to seeing him compete right here in the Midlands.

“Liam is the first DIS athlete to announce his inclusion in the England squad. We expect many more.”