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| Human Interest | |
|---|---|
Further Personal Information | |
| Residence | Milton Keynes, ENG |
Sport Specific Information | |
| Club / Team | Fontenay US: Fontenay-sous-Bois, FRA |
Further Personal Information | |
| Higher education | Milton Keynes, ENG |
General Interest | |
| Hobbies | Singing and playing guitar in his band, playing tennis. (The England Team Handbook and Guide, 2010) |
| Superstitions / Rituals / Beliefs | "Enjoy and work hard." (Athlete, 15 May 2011) |
| Memorable sporting achievement | Winning two gold medals and a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games. (ETTA, 20 Aug 2010) |
Sport Specific Information | |
| Why this sport? | He started playing with his mum on an old table in his back garden. |
General Interest | |
| Most influential person in career | His brother and coach: Stephen Baggaley. (Athlete, 15 May 2011) |
| Hero / Idol | Pete Sampras, Nelson Mandela (The Sunday Times, 18 May 2003) |
| Ambitions | To win an Olympic Gold medal. (andrewbaggaley.com, 20 Aug 2010) |
| Awards and honours | At age 13 he became the sports youngest professional by signing for a Brussels based club in the Belgium National League and at 15 he became the youngest ever Senior British Champion by lifting the Home Countries International Men's singles title in Oban, Scotland. (mkweb.com, 20 Mar 2002) He was a London 2012 Olympic Bid Ambassador. (andrewbaggaley.com, 20 Aug 2010) He is Great Britain's leading medallist of all time at the Commonwealth Games. (miltonkeynes.co.uk, 20 Aug 2010) |
Sport Specific Information | |
| Name of coach | Stephen Baggaley |
| Coach from what year? | 1987 |
| Handedness | Right |
| Training Regime | In the close season, he practices for at least 20 hours per week, as well as gym work and running. During the season, table time is reduced and gym workouts are altered to stay match fit. |
| When and where did you begin this sport? | He began playing table tennis when he was 4. He turned professional at the age of 13. |
International Debut | |
| Year | 1997 |
| Competing for | Great Britain |
| Tournament | World Championships |
| Location | Manchester |
Further Personal Information | |
| Occupation | Athlete |
| Languages | English, Spanish |
Sport Specific Information | |
| Coach from which country? | England |
General Interest | |
| Other information | TURNING PROFESSIONAL At age 13 he became the sports youngest professional by signing for a Brussels based club in the Belgium National League and at 15 he became the youngest ever Senior British Champion by lifting the Home Countries International Men's singles title in Oban, Scotland. (mkweb.com, 20 Mar 2002) |