Table tennis player Lucas Alexandre has reached world number 8 in the under-13 boys' singles category, a ranking that surpasses any youth world ranking previously achieved by a New Zealander in the sport.
The 12-year-old secured the ranking after claiming under-13 titles in the USA and Canada during a recent trip, and also collected medals in under-15 competition. His overseas programme spanned 6 weeks across North America and Europe, with training time at the Swedish club where former world champion Jorgen Persson is based.
"It has been amazing getting to see new people and playing different styles," Alexandre said. "I like how you can create new shots and new serves and playing long rallies."
Alexandre's father Josh, a former New Zealand representative, stepped away from other employment this year to coach his son full-time, leaving his wife as the family's sole income earner. The family withdrew Lucas from traditional schooling and moved him to online study to accommodate international competition and training.
"Even though he is quite young it came to a point, especially because it is a minority sport in NZ, that if he wanted to make it then you really have to start from a young age," Josh Alexandre said. "He said he wanted to give it a crack."
Table Tennis New Zealand chief executive Izania Downie said the ranking represents a milestone for the sport and the national body's development programme. "Exposure to high level competition through World Table Tennis events and international development programmes has played an important role in their progression on the world stage," she said.
The sport's national body provides some financial support and helped fund the North American leg of the recent trip, though the family largely covers travel costs themselves. Lucas will compete at the Top X tournament in Papakura on 4-5 July.