DISABLED Isle of Wight table tennis talent Tom Johnson got off to a flying start at the first of this season’s Para Grand Prix tournaments by winning the open standing event.
Tom, 39, from Wroxall, won the Class 8 category event, beating England ranked number 11, Joseph Crouse, of Cornwall, on the way to the final, held at the Waterside Table Tennis Centre, Totton.
Tom Johnson, with his gold medal won at the first of this season's Para Grand Prix table tennis tournaments, held in Totton.
Tom, who plays for Rookley Table Tennis Club, gained incredible confidence from the win.
In the final against Joshua Moore, from Dorset, Tom won convincingly — in straight sets.
Tom Johnson in action at the first of this season's Para Grand Prix table tennis tournaments, held in Totton.
Tom, who works full time as a kitchen supervisor at St Mary’s Hospital, Newport, was born with the disability, hemaplegia — paralysis down one entire side of his body.
This has not stopped him from competing at national level.
He is currently nationally ranked nine in his competitive category (Class 7).
Tom Johnson, with his gold medal won at the first of this season's Para Grand Prix table tennis tournaments, held in Totton.
Tom said after months of intensive training, he was pleased with his performance and was looking forward to the next Grand Prix event at St Neots in November, with designs on improving his England ranking.
Tom trains at Ryde Table Tennis Centre and West Wight Sports Centre.
His coach, former county player Simon Proffitt, said: “Tom has only been playing in competitive tournaments for the disabled for two years and he continues to go from strength to strength.
“His ambition is to gain a high enough ranking to enable him to represent England in competitions abroad.”
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