Shae Thakker
Denham Shae Thakker
DenhamBiography
Shae started playing table tennis at primary school when he was introduced to the sport by his head teacher John Underwood. He progressed to the school team and played at his local club before joining British Para Table Tennis in 2014.
Shae made his international debut in 2015 and achieved his first success two years later, winning gold in the men’s class 10 singles at the Romania Junior Open. He took bronze in the men’s class 10 singles at the Copa Costa Rica in 2019 and after representing GB in the European Para Youth Games in June 2022 he won gold in the men’s class 10 singles at the European Universities Games in Poland, beating the World number 7 and European bronze medallist Igor Misztal.
In 2023 Shae took bronze in the men’s class 10 singles at the US Open and the following year he won his first senior international title, taking gold in the men’s class 10 singles at the French Para Open.
In January 2025 he was selected for the Performance squad and is working towards qualification for the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Shae was born with club foot and also has complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) affecting his balance and the nerves in his right leg. Having obtained a BSc in psychology he is now studying for a Masters in sport and exercise psychology at Sheffield Hallam University.
Latest News
see all news
Romain Simon pleased to win bronze in Spain
Pathway athlete Romain Simon combined with Austrian Henrik Andersson to take bronze in the men’s class 8 doubles at the ITTF World Para Future Costa Brava in Platja d’Aro today
Bronzes for Fliss Pickard and Grace Williams in Portugal
Fliss Pickard and Grace Williams took bronze in the women’s class 6 and women’s class 8 singles respectively at the ITTF World Para Future Costa Brava tournament in Platja d’Aro today.