A Leeds medicine undergraduate who represented Team GB at the 2012 Paralympics is currently preparing to play in the 2014 ITT Para Table Tennis World Championships in Beijing.

Kim Daybell, 22, is currently ranked 9th but reached a career-high ranking of 5th in the world earlier this year in the Class 10 classification of Para-Table Tennis.

Daybell, originally from Sheffield, played in his first World Championships at the age of 17 in Korea four years ago, where he reached the quarter-finals.

Ben Mays, Head Strength and Conditioning coach for Leeds Gryphons told Leeds Student of his excitement at Kim’s progress.

“We’re all absolutely delighted for Kim, he’s been in our scholarship programme for a number of years and we will all be cheering him on during the competition ”

“Competing in the Paralympics was obviously a massive achievement, and we all hope he continues to excel and build on that in Beijing. We’re confident he can qualify for Rio 2016, and go on to become one the best players in the world”

Speaking to Yorkshire Post, Kim discussed his preparation for the upcoming championships,“I’m a much better player than I was four years ago and think that my level has gone up since London 2012.”

“I’m a lot more experienced now; I know how to handle the big points and hopefully that will help me.”

Kim also has another chance of glory in the Class 9-10 team event with Sheffield-based class 8 athlete Aaron McKibbin.

The duo won silver at the Slovenian Open in May, and will be aiming to continue their form on the world stage.

The tournament will run between Saturday, September 6th until Monday, September 15th.

Jake Hookem