King’s School student is a table tennis queen as city's Archway club claim three national table tennis titles

Hannah Saunders in action in Wolverhampton.Hannah Saunders in action in Wolverhampton.
Hannah Saunders in action in Wolverhampton.
​King’s School student Hannah Saunders is a double national table tennis champion.

​The precocious talent from the city’s outstanding Archway Club won the under 11 and under 13 singles titles at the English Championships in Wolverhampton and then combined with clubmate Amber Lemmon to win silver in the under 13 doubles.

Number one seed Saunders’ success in the under 11 competition was remarkable as she saved six match points before winning her semi-final in five sets.

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She then fought off a spirited comeback from Lemmon in the final to win in five sets again after her opponent had levelled from two sets down.

Archway's national champions Hannah Saunders and Zihan Lin.Archway's national champions Hannah Saunders and Zihan Lin.
Archway's national champions Hannah Saunders and Zihan Lin.

Saunders was also number one seed in the under 13 event and won the final in four sets.

Saunders and Lemmon fought back from two sets down to draw level with the top seeds in the doubles, but the favourites won the deciding set.

And it was an Archway double at under 11 level as Zihan Lin won the final in straight sets after overcoming clubmate Lewis Wu in a tough quarter-final.

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All eight Archway players competing in the event reached the quarter-finals at worst.

Cindy Xiao, Nathan Lindsay, Li Hao Chen and Jayden Chen also took part.

Archway chairman Julian Tee said: “In less than 4 years, our local club has produced 8 players who have reached the quarter finals of the boys and girls English National Championships, picking up 3 gold and 2 silver medals, despite restrictions through the sad impact of the pandemic.

“The Governing body of the sport acknowledge the vast strength in depth of the squad in achieving such levels, having recently selected seven Archway players to represent England in an International tournament in France.

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“If your child wishes to try table tennis, or you think they have hand to eye co-ordination they too could become a top player within the country through our club’s development and coaching scheme.“To find out more please call Adam Jepson on 07584 916744 or Steve Williams on 07957 132257.”