Payet crowned double champion (From Enfield Independent)

llenborough Table Tennis Club's Denise Payet crowned double champion at English National Table Tennis Championships

11:00am Wednesday 20th June 2012 in Local Sport

Denise Payet put previous heartache at the English National Table Tennis Championships behind her as she was crowned a double champion at this year’s event.

The 10-year-old, a member of Ellenborough Table Tennis Club, finished runner-up twice at last year’s tournament but went one better on two occasions to collect the girls’ under-11 and under-12 singles titles.

The Championships, held on June 9 and 10, started disappointingly for the Enfield youngster as she and doubles partner Jane Li exited at the semi-final stage of the girl’s under-14 doubles.

Payet then missed out on a medal in the girls’ under-13 singles after losing a five-set match against Kate Nixon in the quarter-finals.

However, she upped her performance on the Sunday to take both of her titles.

Payet was top seed in both the under-11 and under-12 singles events and proved her status as she secured the under-12 title with a convincing 11-7, 11-5, 11-6 win against Bhavika Mistry.

She grew in confidence following that win and it showed as she reached the under-11 final without dropping a set.

In the final she faced off against Tiana Dennison in a close fought match. But Payet did enough to take her second victory, winning the match 11-7, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8.

Payet will now look ahead to representing England on the national stage as she has been selected in the squad for the Euro Mini Championships in France in August.

In total, Ellenborough had six players at the event and Jasmine Chan made it to the quarter-final stage of the under-13 girls’ singles.

Meanwhile, Eda Aydin reached the last 16 in the under-14 girl's singles, Chris Clifford exited at the group stage of the under-13 boy's singles, , Ryan Williams reached the last 16 of the under-14 boy's singles and George Coulson made it to the last 24 of the under-12 boy's competition .

Coaching officer at Ellenborough Table Tennis Club, Nick McCoy commented: "As a community amateur sports club, our youngsters continue to punch above their weight at national level.

"We spotted Denise’s talent at an early age and are delighted that not only has she been crowned ‘English National Champion’ two times over, but she has also been selected to represent England at the 8th Euro Mini Championships in France in August. "Denise won’t be satisfied with just playing for England, she will want to win for England."

He added: "I am also delighted with the progress Jasmine Chan has shown in recent weeks and am confident that success will also come to her in due course.

"All our finalists were a credit to the club, including George Coulson who did himself proud making his debut at the national finals.