New men’s TT champion hoping to inspire

Fresh from switching allegiance from Britain to Jamaica and capturing his first national men’s singles title, Shaquille Webb-Dixon believes his success can inspire the next generation of table tennis players.

Webb-Dixon secured the crown with a straight-sets victory over 2023 national champion Mark Phillips at the JTTA Junior and Senior Championships on Sunday.

The newly crowned national champion hopes his performance will encourage other players to raise their standard.

“I think seeing me play at my level, not saying I’m any crazy, crazy player, but I can hit a ball or two,” Webb-Dixon said, as he reflected on his potential impact on locally developed players.

“I think that will definitely help to bring up their spirits if they can get to my level one day, for sure,” added Webb-Dixon, who travelled to Germany yesterday to compete in the Table Tennis Bundesliga.

JTTA President Ingrid Graham also weighed in on the performance of the newly crowned champion.

“I think Mr Webb-Dixon did an excellent job,” Graham told The Gleaner.

“All the years of experience he has internationally, you know, really (aided as he) cut Mr Phillips down. But it was exciting,” she added.

Graham also expressed delight with the standard of competition across the tournament.

“Players that we didn’t expect in the junior level, they actually were, you know the standout, they came in full swing and they did perform,” Graham remarked.

She believes the sport has a bright future in Jamaica.

“I’ve said it over and over, the future is great,” Graham said.

“I’ve seen where many persons are reaching out to start a programme where table tennis is concerned in schools, in different communities.”