Gary Wilson walked tall at the All-Sussex Junior Championships at the Cardinal Newman School, Hove.
The 6ft.3in 16-year-old, from Lancing, stormed back from a shakey start to overpower favourite and No.1 seed Luke Bridge (Hastings) 9-21, 21-16, 21-15 in the boys' under-17s final.
The second seed floundered in the first game and Bridge, ranked No.27 in England, piled on his top-spin attack to lead 10-1, but Wilson countered to snatch the final two games.
Wilson said: "I gave up football two years ago to concentrate on table tennis, now the decision I made is beginning to pay off. I won the junior championships at Worthing and Haywards Heath. Now I am after the senior titles in both towns.
"Being so tall has its pros and cons. I am a bit slower around the table but I have plenty of reach to block.
"I was confident even though he was favourite because I'd beaten him quite easily recently.
"I was nervous at the start and got a bit panicky when I lost the opening game. Being champion has given me a boost.
"I used to play goalkeeper for Worthing Minors and in defence for Boundstone School. But I began to take table tennis more seriously after I got spotted by Sussex under-16s manager Peter Baldwin at an Eastbourne event."
Wilson's coach Ray Forder said: "Gary is talented and making real progress."
Gina Rogers, 14, from Hastings, completed a title double.
She retained her under-17s crown, bringing down top seed Claire Hodger (Hastings) 21-18, 19-21, 21-10 in the final after claiming the under-14s crown against Stacey Furnival (Hastings).
Gina, who competes in the English Schools Championships this month, said: "Claire is two years older than me so I was pleased to win. She had beaten me once so this was revenge."
RESULTS: Boys under-17s' semi-finals: Gary Wilson (Lancing) bt Gareth McGovern (Bognor) 21-18, 21-7. Luke Bridge (Hastings) bt David Kirkwood (Broad Oak) 21-10, 21-13. Final: Wilson beat Bridge 9-21, 21-16, 21-15.
Girls' final: Gina Rogers (Hastings) beat Claire Hodger (Hastings) 21-18, 19-21, 21-10.
Boys under-17s' doubles: Gary Wilson (Lancing) and Peter Wilson (Hastings) bt John Kirkwood (Broad Oak) and Kirkwood 21-16, 21-18.
Girls doubles: Sam Stepney (Chichester) and Sam Monk (Haywards Heath) bat Lisa Standen (Hastings) and Stacey Furnival (Hastings) 21-7, 24-22.
Girls under-12s' final: Lisa Standen (Hastings) bt Furnival 24-22, 22-24, 21-16.
Boys under-14s' doubles: Luke Bridge and Matthew. Bridge (Hastings) beat Kirkwood and James Winchester (Hastings) 24-22, 21-16.
Boys under-12s' final: Andrew.Waddingham (Horsham) bt Winchester 21-17, 23-21.
Boys under-14s' final: Bridge bt Graham Beaney (Horsham) 21-15, 21-12.
Mixed doubles: Tim Pack (Lewes) and Stepney beat Andy Steel (Haywards Heath) and Monk 21-6, 22-20.
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