Commonwealth Games medallist Josh Stacey upgraded from table-tennis bronze down under to gold in the Czech Republic as he won the PTT Czech Open in Ostrava.

The teenager from St Mellon’s, in Cardiff, continued his outstanding form in 2018 to win the Men’s Class 9 crown on a golden day for the British Para Table Tennis team. Kim Daybell (Men’s Class 10) and Megan Shackleton (Women’s Class 4) also struck gold.

Stacey came through his group unbeaten after 3-1 wins against Takumi Tsujimura (Japan) and Daniel-Alexandru Dinca (Romania) and a 3-0 win against Robert Cwenar (Poland). He then beat two more Poles, Pawel Konstantyn, 3-0 in the quarter-finals and Pawel Jablonski 3-1 in the semis, to set up an all-British final against Facey Thompson.

The Welshman dominated the final and beat Thompson 3-0 to win his first major singles title. The 18-year-old will now play in the team events.

“I think I played well, especially in the final, and I handled my nerves. Playing ‘Ash’ in the final was a strange feeling because we’ve been warming up together at the tournament,” said Stacey.

“It’s a really good feeling to win my first singles gold and now I’m looking forward to the team event.”

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