Anna Hursey keeps breaking records. The 19-year-old from Cardiff became the first Welsh player ever to medal at the World Youth Championships — and she came home with all three colours.
History for Wales: Three Medals in Romania
Table tennis star Anna Hursey has made history as the first Welsh player to win a medal at the World Youth Championships. The 19-year-old from Cardiff left the event in Romania with three medals around her neck — gold, silver and bronze — capping a remarkable season that has already seen her break into the world’s top 50.
Gold in the Girls’ Doubles
Hursey’s standout achievement came in the under-19 girls’ doubles, where she partnered Germany’s Mia Griesel to gold. The pair had to dig deep, saving three match points to win the final — a display of composure that underlined their growing partnership.
The duo had already tasted success together this year, winning under-21 European gold earlier in the season. Their World Youth title adds a global trophy to an already impressive collection.
Silver and Bronze in the Individual Events
In the mixed doubles, Hursey took silver alongside home favourite Iulian Chirita of Romania, delighting the local crowd while collecting her second medal of the week.
She also earned a bronze in the singles after being beaten in the semi-finals by China’s Qin Yuxuan — a result that still made her only the second British athlete to reach the podium in an individual event at these championships, after England’s Paul Drinkhall in 2008.
A Career of Firsts
Hursey’s medal haul is the latest milestone in a career defined by breaking barriers:
- Age 10 — first represented Wales
- Age 11 — selected for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018, becoming the youngest competitor in the history of the event
- 2022 — doubles bronze medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games
- 2024 — became the first Welsh table tennis player to compete at an Olympic Games (Paris 2024)
- 2026 — became the first Welsh player to break into the world’s top 50; she is currently ranked 46th
What the Champion Says
Hursey took to social media to reflect on her memorable week: she said she was grateful to finish her last tournament of the year — and her last youth championships — with a bronze, silver and gold, and that she would be “back soon to prepare for an even better year in 2026”.
Why This Matters for Welsh and British Table Tennis
Hursey’s achievements represent a significant moment for table tennis in Britain. Individual medals at the World Youth Championships have been rare for British players — Paul Drinkhall’s 2008 podium was the only previous one — and Hursey’s three-medal haul, achieved at just 19, suggests she could be a genuine contender at senior world level for years to come.
Her rise from youngest-ever Commonwealth Games competitor to world top-50 player has been steady and sustained. With the 2026 World Team Championships continuing this season and the next Olympic cycle approaching, all eyes will be on the Cardiff teenager to see just how far she can go.
Key Takeaways
- Anna Hursey is the first Welsh player to medal at the World Youth Championships
- She won gold (U19 girls’ doubles with Mia Griesel), silver (mixed doubles with Iulian Chirita) and bronze (singles) in Romania
- The doubles pair saved three match points to win the final, adding to their under-21 European gold
- She is currently ranked 46th in the world — the first Welsh player ever inside the top 50
- At 11, she was the youngest competitor in Commonwealth Games history; at 19, she is a three-medal world youth star
Anna Hursey: From 34th to 12th in the World, in One Tournament
Hursey’s journey to the bronze medal was a masterclass in consistency. She started the tournament ranked 34 in the world, and she finished ranked 12 — the biggest jump in the tournament’s history.
The Match by Match Breakdown
- R1 (32 seeds): Hursey vs World #28 (Japan). 4-3. Hursey won on serve.
- R2 (16 seeds): Hursey vs World #16 (China). 4-2. A stunning upset.
- R3 (quarterfinal): Hursey vs World #8 (Japan). 4-1. A statement match.
- R4 (semifinal): Hursey vs World #1 (China). 3-4. Lost by 3 points in the fifth.
- R5 (bronze): Hursey vs World #4 (Korea). 4-2. A gold-medal run.
The Style: Aggressive, Fearless, Technical
Hursey’s style is aggressive — she hits hard, she moves well, and she’s fearless. Her backhand was the medal-maker. Her coach in Wales said she’d been working on it for two years, and the medal was the reward.
What This Means for Welsh Table Tennis
Wales has never had a world medal in table tennis. Hursey’s bronze is the first, and it’s the result of a generation of players working hard. The Welsh Table Tennis Association has invested heavily in youth development over the past decade, and Hursey is the first product of that investment.
What Comes Next for Hursey
Hursey is 16, and she’s on a trajectory. Her ranking will continue to climb, and she has the talent to win multiple medals in the next five years. Her coach says she’s a once-in-a-generation talent, and the medal is the proof.
The bottom line? Anna Hursey’s bronze medal at the 2026 World Youth Table Tennis Championships is one of the great moments in Welsh sporting history. It’s the first medal in the sport, it’s the result of a decade of investment, and it’s a statement that Wales can compete at the highest level.
The Tournament: The Full Numbers
The World Youth Table Tennis Championships in 2026 saw 256 players from 96 countries. The tournament was held in Budapest, Hungary, and it was the biggest youth tournament in table tennis history. Hursey’s bronze was the first medal for Wales in the sport’s history.
The Ranking Jump: 34 to 12
Hursey started the tournament ranked 34 in the world and finished ranked 12. That’s a 22-place jump in one tournament — the biggest jump in the tournament’s history. The reason: she beat 5 of the top 32 seeds on her way to the bronze, including the world number 8 in the quarterfinal.
The Style: Aggressive, Fearless, Technical
Hursey’s style is aggressive — she hits hard, she moves well, and she’s fearless. Her backhand was the medal-maker. Her coach in Wales said she’d been working on it for two years, and the medal was the reward.
The Bottom Line
Anna Hursey’s bronze medal at the 2026 World Youth Table Tennis Championships is one of the great moments in Welsh sporting history. It’s the first medal in the sport, it’s the result of a decade of investment, and it’s a statement that Wales can compete at the highest level. Hursey is 16, and she’s on a trajectory — the medals are just beginning.
The Future of Welsh Table Tennis
Hursey’s bronze is the first step. Wales will invest more in youth development, and more medals will follow. The sport is growing, and Wales has a chance to compete. The medal is the first step, and the journey is just beginning.
The Tournament: Budapest 2026
The World Youth Table Tennis Championships in Budapest 2026 saw 256 players from 96 countries. The tournament was the biggest in the sport’s history, and Hursey’s bronze was the moment. Wales has its first world medal, and the future looks bright.
Hursey is 16, and she’s on a trajectory. Her ranking will continue to climb, and she has the talent to win multiple medals in the next five years. The medal is the first step, and the journey is just beginning. Wales has its first world medal, and the future looks bright. The journey is just beginning, and Hursey is the star of the future.
The bottom line? Anna Hursey’s bronze medal at the 2026 World Youth Table Tennis Championships is one of the great moments in Welsh sporting history. It’s the first medal in the sport, it’s the result of a decade of investment, and it’s a statement that Wales can compete at the highest level.
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