Super Amirul feels just champion!

SIMPLY THE BEST . . . Amirul Hussain. PICTURE by STEVE PARKIN

OLDHAM'S Amirul Hussain confirmed his place as one of table tennis's most exciting rising stars as he lifted the under-13s national title.

The 12-year-old was top seed for the event in Preston and lived up to billing as he breezed through the group and knock-out stages, only dropping a set in the quarter-finals to Peter Smallcombe.

He faced second seed Jamie Liu in the final and, after the first two games had been shared, Hussain turned up the power to complete a 3-1 (11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-1) victory.

Hussain adds the title to the under-11s crown he won in 2014 and said: "I feel great.

"I've been training every day with my coach and working on topspin, backhand and forehand and being very proactive.

"The England Youth Squad has helped me improve my game as well.

"(After I lost the second game) I needed to change it and not let him get in so I was pushing it wide more."