TABLE TENNIS titan Paul Drinkhall believes he can win three gold medals at the Commonwealth Games after shaking off a twisted ankle.

The Loftus star is competing in the singles and team events for Team England and will also defend his doubles title from the Gold Coast in 2018, won alongside Liam Pitchford.

However, Drinkhall feared he would miss out on a second chance to stand on the podium at a home Games - having exited in the last 32 at the London 2012 Olympics - after spending nine weeks on the sidelines earlier this year.

He said: “It would be amazing (to finish on the podium), that’s my goal - ideally a gold medal would be perfect. I want to make that podium in the singles event. As a team, we’ve performed well over the last few Commonwealths and come away with a couple of silvers and a bronze but we are looking to take that next step and to do that on home soil would be great.

“I rolled my ankle a few months ago which wasn’t perfect preparation but I’m back now. I’m very confident (of winning a medal). I know there’s a lot of good players, teams and double pairings, but I’m quite experienced in these events and I know what it takes.

“Being selected to start with is another achievement and with it being a home Games as well it is going to be special. Hopefully, I can perform well and bring home, no, keep home some medals.”

Drinkhall had to ditch his camping plans last summer to answer a late call-up for Tokyo 2020 before exiting in the third round to Korean ninth seed Jang Woo-jin.

And after his Covid-hit experience in Japan, he is relishing the return of packed-out arenas at major events.

“It will be great to play an event with good spectators and a real buzz around it because I think the public have missed out on going to lots of events,” explained Drinkhall.

“As far as multi-sports events go, this hasn’t happened yet in the UK, so everybody involved will be buzzing and hopefully it will be a great atmosphere all round.

“It was great at the Olympics (in 2012) and if it can be anywhere near that it will be a great experience and I’m sure the home support will help myself and the team towards the later rounds.”

This summer, Team England, supported by National Lottery funding, will comprise of over 400 athletes in total, and having secured his place on the squad, Drinkhall is looking to capitalise on the opportunity for medal success in his home country.

Drinkhall admits that since making his debut at Melbourne 2006, the Commonwealth Games has occupied a special place in his heart after going on to win six medals, two of each colour.

He said: “There’s a slightly smaller feel to the Commonwealths, still on a huge scale but slightly smaller than the Olympics.

“It has always been one of my favourite events to go to and hopefully that will continue this year as well.”

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