TABLE tennis sensation Oye Jemiyo is at the top of his game, winning a gold medal at a prestigious competition.

The Bierley-based player won gold at the prestigious St Neots Para Open Grand Prix Tournament in Cambridgeshire, defeating Nathan Drayner in the final match of Class One and Two category.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Oye Jemiyo is thrilled to have won goldOye Jemiyo is thrilled to have won gold

This is the final tournament in the national calendar before Great Britain’s coaches make their decision on selection of athletes for the Pathway squad this December. The player Pathway maps out a player’s journey from club to the Olympic and Paralympic Podium programme.

Oye says "I really knew I had to bring my A-game to this tournament so I've been working very hard with all the people that support me regularly, it has not been easy physically and financially, and it has also been tough psychologically because my mum died this time last year.”

He adds: “Winning against a friend is not easy because we practice together in the same tier at the GB camp in Sheffield so we know each other well.

"After I took the first set, Nathan stepped up his game to serve really well into my weak areas and won the second set. I had to really focus in the third set to return Nathan's fast serves to just pinch it and I had to control the table more to win the fourth. I hope my performance will secure me a slot in the GB Pathway squad during selection next month.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Oye played against fellow competitor Nathan DraynerOye played against fellow competitor Nathan Drayner

Nigerian-born Oye has been in a wheelchair since he was two after contracting polio. He took up table tennis in 1996, aged 19, at Eccleshill Sports Centre, learning from renowned coach Hans Soova. Training at at Nab Wood Sports Centre, Oakbank School and Bradford Girls' Grammar School, he has won many medals for Great Britain over the years in national disabled events.

He says: “I would like to dedicate this medal to Stephen, Mike, Bebi, Betty, Bethany and Natasha at TOPS gym, Sean at Independence Mobility, Katalin at Baruwa Tailors, Moira at Trinity Therapies, Ryan at TayCare Medical and Blessing, for all their support in various ways of my life that makes me the player I am today.”

Oye will be fundraising for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance on Saturday January 28, 2023, at the White Rose Shopping Centre in Leeds. He will be playing table tennis non-stop for seven hours non-stop, as he continues to volunteer for charities he is passionate about.