English Schools’ Silver Medallists: London Academy
On the morning of Saturday the 14th of March 2020, the London Academy under 16 boys’ team travelled to Hinckley, Leicestershire in a battle of the top 4 schools in the country. Having qualified as London champions, our team was definitely a contender for the national title.
English Schools’ Silver Medallists: London Academy
On the morning of Saturday the 14th of March 2020, the London Academy under 16 boys’ team travelled to Hinckley, Leicestershire in a battle of the top 4 schools in the country. Having qualified as London champions, our team was definitely a contender for the national title.
In the first round, London Academy showed their skill in a sweeping 8-0 victory against St Mary’s from Hull. It was against Wallington School in the second round when our team started to feel the pressure; having overcome Wallington School 8-0 in the London finals, London Academy had to keep their feat. During this fiery round, Sajad Ali came back from a risky 2-0 down against Chid Egbema to secure a 5-2 lead. After this, Robert Ionascu greatened the gap leading to a strong 6-2 finish.
In the first round, London Academy showed their skill in a sweeping 8-0 victory against St Mary’s from Hull. It was against Wallington School in the second round when our team started to feel the pressure; having overcome Wallington School 8-0 in the London finals, London Academy had to keep their feat. During this fiery round, Sajad Ali came back from a risky 2-0 down against Chid Egbema to secure a 5-2 lead. After this, Robert Ionascu greatened the gap leading to a strong 6-2 finish.
In the final round, London Academy faced the highly-acknowledged top seed Ackworth School. Consisting of two England National team members Felix Thomis and Amirul Hussain, Ackworth proved to be too strong for our team, taking the title 8-0. However, Apararchevei, Ali, Ionascu and Oluwamayowa put up a fight as 4 matches ended in the fifth set. The day concluded with London Academy being crowned the second-best team in the country!
In the final round, London Academy faced the highly-acknowledged top seed Ackworth School. Consisting of two England National team members Felix Thomis and Amirul Hussain, Ackworth proved to be too strong for our team, taking the title 8-0. However, Apararchevei, Ali, Ionascu and Oluwamayowa put up a fight as 4 matches ended in the fifth set. The day concluded with London Academy being crowned the second-best team in the country!
Returning with a number 2 finish in the English Schools’ National Finals, our players deserve admiration for their hard work: their journey from the North London Qualifiers in January has seen relentless daily training sessions juggled with the academic life of a teenager.
Returning with a number 2 finish in the English Schools’ National Finals, our players deserve admiration for their hard work: their journey from the North London Qualifiers in January has seen relentless daily training sessions juggled with the academic life of a teenager.
Keeping on top of school work as well as being crowned this year’s silver medallists, their success would not have been possible without the support of London Academy’s teachers. We would like to thank them for their encouragement of table tennis at London Academy and dedication to keep our players up to date with their studies.
Looking to the future, our boys’ team aim to build their strengths and return from next season’s finals as English national champions.