The 23-year-old lost 3-0 to Koyo Iwabuchi in the last eight of the tournament in Slovenia

Stratford’s Ashley Facey Thompson was knocked out of the World Para Table Tennis Championships in the quarter-final stage last Friday (October 19).

The Londoner impressed in Slovenia despite his last-eight exit as he lost 3-0 to World Number 10 Koyo Iwabuchi.

A spirited display was not enough to see the 23-year-old make it through, but he was left to draw on the positives after the conclusion of his quarter-final encounter.

“To be fair he played really well and all credit to him,” said Facey Thompson.

““He was just on top of me and I couldn’t really get into the match. I tried my hardest, but I think the pressure got to me and I didn’t really perform at my best.

“I’ve had a good World Para Table Tennis Championships still – beaten the number seven in the world and won my group so I’m very happy with the way I’ve played.

“I’ve just got to keep on going and keep on working hard and this is going to motivate me – I want to get better every day.”

The Stratford athlete went into the tournament in great form after a terrific couple of months in various events.

He claimed silvers in the men’s class nine singles events in Slovakia, Slovenia and most recently in the Czech Open last month.

On top of this, last year Facey Thompson claimed a team silver at the European Championships which gave the improving player plenty of belief.

The confidence in the young talent from London was clear from day one of the event as he beat Brazil’s Lucas Dos Santos Carvalho on October 17 by a 3-0 score.

Later on the same day, Facey Thompson recovered from losing a two-set lead to clinch the victory in a final set decider against World Number Seven Zhao Yi Qing of China.

He wrapped up a 100 per cent record in the group with a 3-0 triumph over Chao Ming Chee from Malaysia, but that was as good as it got for the young east Londoner.

After receiving a bye into the quarter-finals, Facey Thompson lost out in straight sets to Japanese athlete Iwabuchi, who proved too strong in the end.