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Caroline eyes Sarajevo adventure

Jenny Dixon
26/ 4/2006

TABLE TENNIS: Bramhall's big-hitter Caroline Hallows is targeting a place in her sport's biggest junior tournament - the European junior championships.

Selection for the event, in Sarajevo, would be the perfect conclusion to an exciting season for the 15-year-old Bramhall high school pupil who has already won the Stockton Four Star junior event, reached the doubles final in the national under-18s English championships, and recently returned from competitive action in Shanghai.

Twenty-two countries competed in the recent World Schools championships, held in China.

Caroline, representing England Schools under-17s, reached the last eight of 42 competitors in the individual consolation event, while the team finished in sixth place out of a tough field of nine.

Currently ranked sixth in the UK at under-18s level, Caroline is now hoping to impress selectors ahead of the European Juniors event.

Her next major competition is the open age Masters event, in which the top 16 girls in the country compete against each other.

Caroline, who is coached by former European champion John Hilton, said: "The under-15s Masters title was my biggest ever win, but it's a large step up now and I know I won't necessarily be able to repeat that victory. I'll aim for the top three, that'd be great."

Caroline has made impressive progress since first taking up table tennis at primary school seven years ago. She now has ambitions to take part in the London Olympics in 2012.