Nicholas Lum named Australian Junior Player of the Year for second consecutive year

Rising star Nicholas Lum has been awarded the Michael Szabados Award as the Australian Junior Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

The award and title is the highest honour for an Australian junior player and is awarded annually based on performances and results, combined with an athlete’s conduct.

Lum’s 2021 achievements were highlighted by a very successful European Tour, where the left hander accomplished:

• 2021 World Table Tennis Youth Contender Italy: Gold in Under 17 Boys Singles.
• 2021 World Table Tennis Youth Contender Hungary: Silver in Under 17 Boys Singles.
• 2021 World Table Tennis Youth Contender Slovak Republic: Gold in Under 17 Boys Singles, bronze in Under 19 Boys Singles.
• 2021 World Youth Championships: Last 16 in Under 19 Boys Singles.
• Career high World Ranking of no.10 in Under 17 and no.18 in Under 19.

TTA Chief Executive Officer Scott Houston was full of praise for Lum, commenting: “2021 was a tough year in many respects with COVID-19 taking away many opportunities, however Nicholas used the time to work doubly hard to improve his game."

"Then when he had the opportunity to re-join international competitions he showed the hard work had paid off by winning a swag of medals and achieving career high world rankings. Nicholas is on the right path and with continued hard work and dedication, TTA has full faith that he can achieve his goals short-term and long-term."

Lum, who received the award for the second consecutive year, was proud of the year he had.

“2021 has been a wild year, but I was very lucky to have the opportunity to travel overseas for training and competition. I was able to win my first world titles on my return to the international stage after a 1.5 year absence, so I’m delighted with my results," he said. 

"I’d like to thank TTA for this special honour, and I hope to keep up my success for the years to come. Last but not least, I’d like to thank God, my family and all the coaches that have worked with me all these years, supporters, sponsors, Croydon & Districts Table Tennis Association and the Victorian Institute of Sport for providing endless support. I sincerely express my heartiest thankfulness to all." 

The Michael Szabados Award is proudly sponsored by Aussie Table Tennis. Aussie Table Tennis General Manager, Morten Christiansen was pleased for Lum.

“Without doubt Nicholas is one of the brightest prospects, both in Australia and internationally. Given the long list of players who have won this award and then gone on to become top players at senior level, it bodes well for the future for Nicholas and table tennis in Australia."

Under normal circumstances the assessment period for the award would have been from immediately after the 2020 National Championships, until completion of the 2021 National Championships. However, with COVID-19 causing the cancellation of the event last year and this year, TTA and the National Selection Panel determined that presenting the award at the end of 2021 was the most appropriate outcome.

Congratulations Nicholas, you are a most worthy recipient.