Sam in Euro Youth top 10

The 18-year-old’s reward for his best ever season will be a spot, alongside the likes of Tin-Tin Ho, at the event in Terni from 20th to 22nd.

Not only has Walker excelled domestically by becoming the National Junior Champion, Junior Masters Champion and National Under-21 Champion, but he has also performed on the international scene with two Commonwealth Championships medals in India and a first International Open win in Malta.

The former Redlands pupil took the English National Senior Championships by storm, winning the Under 21 Men’s Singles title and reaching the semi-finals of the Men’s Singles.

This weekend will be Walker’s chance to pitch his talent against the best Europe has to offer in one of the most prestigious table tennis tournaments in Europe.

Walker said: “Its great to be invited to such a tournament and be recognised as one of the top juniors in Europe.”