Stacey and Twomey’s Quarterfinal Loss to China at Table Tennis England Event
In a thrilling match at the Table Tennis England event, the British duo of Joshua Stacey and Bly Twomey faced a formidable challenge in the quarterfinals against the experienced Chinese pair of Zhao Shuai and Mao Jingdian. Competing in only their second tournament together, Stacey and Twomey put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell short against the three-time Paralympic champions from China.
Challenging Competition and Determined Effort
The match began with the Chinese team showcasing their dominance, winning the first set decisively with a score of 11-3. However, Stacey and Twomey did not back down and fought back in the second set, taking a commanding lead of 9-4. Despite their efforts, the Chinese pair’s experience and skill proved to be the deciding factor as they managed to claw their way back and secure a 12-10 victory in the set. With a final score of 3-0 in favor of the Chinese team, the GB pair ultimately bowed out of the competition.
Reflecting on the match, Stacey acknowledged the impressive performance of their opponents, stating, “I think they seem very comfortable as a pair, as to how to navigate a game and make sure they are both getting their strengths in. They played the right table tennis at the right moments, which obviously with the experience they have you’d expect them to. I wouldn’t say their quality was unbelievably good, but everything was just very solid and when they needed to, they played the right balls at the right times.”
Building Towards Future Success
Despite the disappointment of their quarterfinal loss, Stacey and Twomey remain optimistic about their future prospects. With Twomey being just 14 years old and this being only their second tournament together, the duo recognizes the room for improvement and growth in their partnership. Stacey expressed confidence in their potential, stating, “We’ve got a lot of improvement to come over the years and with that and having more experience of playing with each other, it will eventually come good, and we’ll be beating those kinds of players.”
Twomey, reflecting on her experience at her first Paralympics, expressed pride in reaching the quarterfinals and acknowledged the valuable opportunity to compete against top-tier opponents. She shared, “I’m very pleased that we got to the quarterfinals, and to play them was just amazing. I didn’t think I was going to be standing on the podium at my first Paralympics, and I’m very proud to say I’m a bronze medallist with Fliss Pickard. I wish I could do it with Josh, but today wasn’t our day.”
Looking Ahead
With their doubles event at the Paralympics behind them, both Stacey and Twomey are now setting their sights on their respective singles events, which are set to begin on September 3. The duo is determined to use their experience from the doubles competition to fuel their performance in the upcoming singles matches and continue to strive for success on the table tennis court.
As they prepare for the next phase of competition, Stacey and Twomey remain focused and determined to showcase their skills and determination on the international stage. With a strong foundation in place and a commitment to improvement, the British duo is poised to make their mark in the world of table tennis and continue to pursue their dreams of Paralympic success.
For further information on the British Para Table Tennis Team, please contact media officer Francesca Bullock at +44 7768 515841 or via email at [email protected] Stay tuned for updates on Stacey and Twomey’s progress in the upcoming singles events as they aim to make their mark on the global stage.