A Sandpaper Table Tennis (TT) star has earned his place at the Ping Pong World Cup in Mexico City next year after a stellar season and trophy success.

Ian Johnston, who works at Pico Technology in Eaton Socon, was both the 2022 UK Open and 2022 Scottish Sandpaper Champion, which led to him being awarded a guaranteed place at the inaugural World Cup in January 2024.

Three other UK residents will be joining Ian at the World Cup after qualifying from the 2023 UK Open Sandpaper Championships on July 1.

The Hunts Post: Ian (R) received his Ping Pong World Cup qualification certificate from Marek Zaskodny, representing the International Classic Table Tennis Federation. Ian (R) received his Ping Pong World Cup qualification certificate from Marek Zaskodny, representing the International Classic Table Tennis Federation. (Image: Juliet Johnston)

Ian, the UK Open defending champion, fell to a shock defeat by Chris Christoforou in the last 16, but through his Scottish Open victory, a place at the World Cup was already guaranteed.

Ian plays Snadpaper TT whilst working full-time and was a regular at the now-defunct World Championships of Ping Pong (WCPP), which was shown on Sky Sports until 2020.

Sandpaper TT, otherwise known as ping pong, is a variation of the sport that utilises old-fashioned equipment, using sandpaper instead of a soft, flexible, grippy rubber on bats.

Ahead of the World Cup, Ian said he is delighted that Sandpaper TT is returning to the global stage.