Talented Limbu causing a storm

A TEENAGE table tennis sensation is causing a storm by surging up the Grimsby and district rankings.

Aakash Limbu, from Nepal, only began playing the sport last February, and has since stunned coaches and fellow players, with his ability.

The 18-year-old currently tops the averages in both Divisions Two and Three of the Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Table Tennis Association with 42 wins from 43 matches for his team, Parkside D.

He has also braved the deep end of Division One on a handful of occasions, winning five of his six matches to date.

The teenager's incredible record has not gone unnoticed within the region, and Limbu is set to be thrust into the top league on a permanent basis in the coming months, where his talent can be fully put to the test.

Limbu, the son of a Nepalese Ghurkha, came over to England two years ago when his father found work in Immingham.

He attends Havelock Sixth Form where he is studying his A-Levels, and he hopes to go to university in September to study maths or physics.

He said: "I got into the sport through friends who also play.

"I'd never really played before I came to England.

"Table tennis isn't very big in Nepal, it's mostly football and martial arts.

"I think I'm the first table tennis player from Nepal to play in the Grimsby leagues, there aren't many foreign players at all really.

" I play for the enjoyment of it and to spend time with friends.

"I'd describe myself as an all-round player, I'm quite powerful though.

"I'm getting better and improving all the time through practice."

Limbu's coach John Bray said: "He's got a very good record and he's improving all the time. Considering he's only been playing just over a year, he's doing really well."

Colin Woodford, treasurer of the Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Table Tennis Association had similar praise for the youngster.

He said: "He's improved an awful lot considering he's only been playing a year, and he trains as much as he can. We've got a very good set of youngsters here.

"He's a really nice lad, he's always offering to help with things around the club, particularly with setting things up for matches."