Born and raised in Anfield, table tennis professional Jack Hunter-Spivey is the only player ever to win the junior, senior and open British titles in the same year.

A wheelchair user due to cerebral palsy, Jack narrowly missed out on selection for London 2012 and is relishing the opportunity to take part in his first Paralympics in Rio, and Your Move has caught up with the medal hopeful ahead of his trip to Brazil.

What does it mean to you to have the chance to represent Britain at a major sporting event?

It means everything to me to represent my country at the Paralympics. It’s all I’ve dreamed about since I first started playing table tennis at 10 years old. To represent your country at the highest level is the greatest achievement for any sportsperson and I’ll be incredibly proud to wear that shirt in Rio. Missing out on the London games put a fire in my belly to go make it to Rio and do everyone proud. To qualify for the finals was a great personal achievement.

What are your personal goals in Rio?

As Rio is my first games I’m after experience but equally I know I can beat anyone on my day. I’ve defeated some of the top players in the world, so if I play my best I could go far, but I don’t really have any personal goals other than to play the best table tennis I can.

Photos by Michael Loveder

How have you been preparing for the finals?

I’ve been training fulltime in Sheffield where I’ve been based for the last four years now and went to training camp in Slovenia with all of the top players from around the world. I’ve also been abroad to train with the world number one in Norway, so my training has been the best it can possibly be. As part of Team GB, we have access to physios, nutritionists, psychologists, and coaches – a full team to help us prepare, so I feel like the best position possible heading into the Paralympics.

As one of the younger members of the table tennis squad are there teammates you can turn to for mentoring?

In the team there’s a wealth of experience and the older players have helped me a lot. Just with things like what the Village is like, what kit you have to wear – little things you wouldn’t necessarily know in advance. My teammates have been a massive help to me, not necessarily the individual players but the squad as a whole.

How do you rate the local table tennis scene here in Liverpool?

Around Liverpool we have a really good setup. I started playing in Widness at Halton Table Tennis Club but have also played in the Liverpool league, which is full of top clubs, experienced players and really strong. I definitely recommend getting involved.

I don’t come back too often because I’m training fulltime but when I’m in the area I try to train at Halton and support the local table tennis tournament, the Liverpool Open.

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