Anna Hursey: British number one targets Paris Olympics after table tennis rankings boost

Anna Hursey was aged 11 when she competed for Wales at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia

Teenager Anna Hursey is aiming for the 2024 Paris Olympics after rising from 163rd to 93rd in the women's world table tennis rankings.

The Welsh competitor, 17, is targeting a world top 80 place by June 2024 to make her first Games later that summer.

"My coaches are looking at the possibility of me, maybe, qualifying for the Olympics," said Hursey.

"It's hard to get there and you have to be a little bit higher than I am at the moment, but it's definitely possible."

The British number one added: "The last few tournaments I've played in, I've felt as though I've been making big improvements and that has got me into the top 100."

While aiming for personal success, Hursey is also backing Table Tennis Wales' participation initiative.

"We are trying to get more young people involved in the sport because it's a sport suited to everyone and so enjoyable," she said.

"I started when I was five years old and it's allowed me to spend lots of time doing what I love, make some great friends, and have some life-changing opportunities."