Teen table tennis sensation Hursey looks ahead to second Commonwealth Games

For most teenagers, the summer after GCSEs is one of the most relaxing of their lives but Welsh table tennis sensation Anna Hursey is anything but a regular teenager. The 15-year-old was this week included in the Team Wales squad for Birmingham 2022, which will be her second Commonwealth Games, with Hursey holding the record as Wales' youngest-ever sportsperson at senior level. Ad/> She was just 11 when she helped the table tennis team reached the quarter-finals in Gold Coast in 2018 and is now setting her sights on going a step further this time around.

Table TennisEmotional Bayley treading fine Paralympic line after battling through to Tokyo 2020 final28/08/2021 AT 10:49 She said: «Last Commonwealths in Gold Coast were really fun. I enjoyed being with the team in the village, this time is going to be a home crowd and home experience so my family and friends will be there, so I'm really excited. »I think I've improved a lot since Gold Coast and my results show that.

I've been playing really well recently. I've been winning some world competitions for my age group. «I've improved a lot and matured a lot and this Commonwealths, all our team has been working really hard, Team Wales, and we have all improved tons.

So hopefully we can do a bit better than last time. Hopefully we can medal.» Hursey's table tennis success is only a small part of her story, however. Having been born with asthma that requires her to take tablets every day and take a pump with her wherever she goes, Hursey has understandably got a keen interest in climate change and reducing air pollution.