Daniyal Triumphs at the Steve Thomas Tournament
On a special day of competition at Barnet Table Tennis Club, 10-year-old Daniyal from Stanmore Table Tennis Club delivered yet another stunning performance—this time at the Steve Thomas Tournament, named in memory of the late Steve Thomas and organised by Barnet coaches Tommy and Lucas.
Daniyal was placed in a challenging group of seven players, with each match played best of five. What followed was a remarkable display of skill, determination, and composure as he battled his way to the gold medal and the tournament title.
Daniyal began in commanding style, dispatching his first three opponents without dropping a set:
His fourth match provided the sternest test of the group stage, against Rahill Panchmatia. The two pushed each other to the limit in a thrilling five-set battle. With the match tied and Rahill leading 6–4 and then 7–5 in the decider, Daniyal’s grit shone through once more. He rallied with steely determination to clinch the game 11–7 and the match overall: 11–4, 9–11, 11–5, 9–11, 11–7.
Re-energised, Daniyal went on to secure straight-set wins over Ethan (11–2, 11–7, 11–3) and then against the top seed Louis Parnes, a Master Class player at Barnet TTC, producing a statement performance: 11–2, 11–6, 11–1. With six wins from six, Daniyal topped the group and advanced confidently to the knockout rounds.
In the quarter-final, Daniyal faced James Kats and once again delivered a clinical display to win 3–0. That victory set up a semi-final showdown against Callum Campbell, the number two seed and another Master Class player. Daniyal rose to the occasion, producing yet another straight-sets victory to reach the final.
The final brought a rematch with top seed Louis Parnes. Having already beaten him in the group, Daniyal knew he faced a tough challenge—but he played with the same fearlessness and composure, prevailing 11–4, 11–3, 11–9 to seal the title in style.
Daniyal’s efforts were rewarded with the champion’s gold medal and a £30 cash prize. Across the entire tournament, he dropped only two sets—an incredible feat given the strength of the competition and the calibre of the players he faced.
This victory is yet another shining moment in Daniyal’s young career, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure, his unshakable determination, and his growing reputation as one of the most exciting prospects at Stanmore Table Tennis Club.
Congratulations to Daniyal on a truly unbelievable win—a performance that once again makes the whole club proud.
