Canberra teenager Rohan Dhooria is hoping a table tennis journey around the world will help him secure selection for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast next year.
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The 18-year-old will take the next step on his Commonwealth Games mission when he plays against the best in Australia at the national titles in Adelaide this week.
Dhooria is still riding high after completing an ACT table tennis championship treble last week, winning the men's singles, doubles and under-21 titles.
He should be preparing for his end of year high school exams at Lake Tuggeranong, but Dhooria has his eyes on a bigger prize - the Commonwealth Games.
His table tennis love has taken him to Hong Kong, Italy, Thailand, South Africa and China, but his No. 1 goal is playing for Australia on the Gold Coast in six months.
"My main target for this year is the Commonwealth Games," Dhooria said. "I'm playing overseas a lot to develop and get stronger so I'm ready for the Games."
Dhooria is ranked No. 12 in Australia but has high hopes for chasing a national title after beating the No. 2 player earlier this year.
Dhooria, Australia's No. 1 ranked junior, developed his passion for the game when he bet his father that if he can beat him he would be allowed to get back his confiscated laptop.
Since then Dhooria has competed in competitions all over the world making his international junior debut at the in Hong Kong when he was 14.
Dhooria has been selected to represent Oceania at the international table tennis top 16 junior circuit.
The tournament features the best 16 players from around the world and will be Dhooria's last event as a junior.
"Winning that tournament would be ideal, or to at least achieve in the top five," Dhooria said. "That's my my last goal for juniors."
