NEXT GENERATION

Josh Tonkin has taken New Zealand table tennis by storm since taking up the sport as a 10-year-old.

Tonkin recently added the top prize in the Aoraki Sports Awards to his impressive collection of silverware.

The Waitaki Boys' student has taken two South Island Championships, 5 Otago titles and 4th and 8th spots in the New Zealand Championships.

The young tactician said he enjoys the pace of the sport and out-thinking his opponents.

"I enjoy the speed of the game and having to make split-second decisions," he said "Also the tactics involved and working out your opponent as they all have different styles of play."

Olympians Wang Liqin and Ma Long are the 15-year-old's major influences and he hopes to follow in their footsteps.

"I want to represent New Zealand and encourage and promote table tennis as a social and competitive sport for all ages and abilities," he said.