Skegness star Tom Jarvis hoping to taste world table tennis glory in London

The competition marks 100 years since the very first World Championships were staged in the capital, the sport returning back where it all began.

This landmark centenary edition will be the biggest in history, with 64 men’s teams and 64 women’s teams competing across 13 days at two iconic London venues.

Jarvis, 26, is England’s No 1 and part of a men's team of five and reached the last 16 of the Men’s Singles at last year’s ITTF World Championships in Doha, defeating 10th seed and European champion Dang Qiu of Germany on the way.

Part of the England team which won bronze at the ITTF Team World Cup in London in 2018, he is targeting a first Olympic Games appearance in LA in 2028.

On the WTT circuit, Tom is still searching for his first title, having reached finals at WTT Feeder Fremont (USA) in 2022 and WTT Feeder Dusseldorf in November 2025.

He and England team mate Sam Walker reached the Men’s Doubles final at the 2021 WTT Feeder Dusseldorf.

Tom, who this year won his third national Men’s Singles title, plays in the German Bundesliga for ASC Grünwettersbach.

The ITTF World Team Championships Finals opened at the Copper Box Arena this week with 46 teams competing in Stage 1B for places in the last 32.

On 2nd-3rd May, the top seven seeds and host nation England take to the OVO Arena Wembley for Stage 1A to determine their seeding positions into the last 32.

From 4th-10th May, Wembley then hosts the knockout rounds as 32 nations battle for the world titles, culminating in Finals Day on Sunday, 10th May, when the 2026 World Champions will be crowned.

So, across 13 days, fans will experience the speed, intensity and drama of elite team table tennis at the sport’s most significant event in a century.