by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer

Earlier this year at the Caribbean Championships, Simon Tomlinson qualified for the main draw, before losing to Cuba’s Juan Damien Rondon; some success but the Liebherr 2017 World Championships, life was much more testing.

In the group phase he was beaten by Lebanon’s Mohamed Hamie, Congo Brazzaville’s Saheed Idowu and Paraguay’s Alejandro Toranzos.

Defeats but success in all nine matches played at the recent national trials held in Kingston, Simon Tomlinson was unbeaten and is now highly motivated.

Following the national trials, Jamaica’s Gleaner Newspaper, interviewed Simon Tomlinson

“For the next six months, I have to focus a lot more on getting a lot more table work in, hopefully being able to go to Sweden even if it’s for a short time, for a tournament or two, to get myself match ready. Being able to maintain the same level of energy throughout the tournament and keeping the mental aspect in check as well, is very important. Relentless training and there’s no chance against that level of opponent if you’re not prepared.”

Simon Tomlinson, 26 years old, is currently listed at no.617 on the current Men’s World Rankings.