Zichari Young has been challenged to represent Bermuda in the 2020 Olympic Qualifications after being listed in the “elite” categorisation of United States Table Tennis Association members.

He achieved the new status after a stellar performance in the North American Teams Championships in Washington, DC, as part of the Bermuda Table Tennis Association’s men’s senior team.

Competing alongside Jaymo Durham and Dwayne Hill, the trio ended with three wins out of 11 in Division Eight, with Young now living and training in Pennsylvania, winning 14 of 17 of his matches.

His individual performance resulted in the 25-year-old reaching a new benchmark rating of 2044 and “elite” categorisation.

It’s an impressive status only the likes of fellow Bermudian residents Garry Williams, Dexter Smith, Nick Frost and Corey Berkeley are believed to have previously reached.

Having fulfilled a challenge set him by Bermuda Table Tennis Association vice-president Jaymo Durham, Young, who trains at Princeton Pong Table Tennis Club in Pennsylvania, has been set a new target.

“The next goal for him is to represent Bermuda in the 2020 Olympics qualifications,” Durham said. “I think he has the potential for great improvement and could acquit himself well against high-level competition in a few more months.”

Meanwhile, also competing at the North American Team Championships was Bermuda’s junior team, consisting of Jehziyh Rawlins, Leule Simmons and David Goonewardene. Against strong opposition, the trio finished with five wins out 11 matches in Division 14.

Rawlins led the way with ten wins and 11 losses, Simmons picked up seven victories and 12 defeats, and Goonewardene secured three victories while suffering 11 losses in group play.