Hannah Silcock says she is relishing the chance to take on Europe’s best later this month, as the 19-year-old becomes Jersey’s most successful table tennis player. She will represent the island at the European Championships in Slovenia, the first time she has competed at the senior event.
Silcock is ranked 340th in the world in women’s singles and 135th in Europe. Her previous major outing came at the European Junior Championships in July, where she reached the last 64 in the mixed doubles after an early exit in the singles.
“It’s my first senior Europeans. I played the junior Europeans in the summer, now a first senior competition I think it’s just seeing how I get along against these players,” she told local radio.
“I’m just trying to pick up a few good wins here and there and just kind of get a feel for it really.”
Breakthrough at the Commonwealth Games
Silcock rose to national attention at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, when she pushed top-ranked England player Tin Tin Ho in the last 32 of the women’s singles. She lost 4-2 at the age of 15.
She has recently trained alongside Great Britain’s elite players in Sheffield in the build-up to the European Championships. She has also played in France and Sweden.
Rising through the rankings
Silcock has climbed the world rankings over the past year and is now the sixth-best ranked British woman in the world. She credits her progress to her decision to concentrate fully on the sport. She is ranked 110th in the junior world rankings.
“Taking a year out just to focus on playing table tennis has definitely enhanced my game,” she explained.
“I went to Japan for a couple of weeks in the summer which was amazing and the training was so good – I feel like it’s definitely improved my game.
“I’ve seen a big jump in the rankings, so I’ve put myself in a good position and I’m really looking forward to seeing what comes next.”