Two-time Paralympian Ashley Facey Retires from Table Tennis, Joins Enovis as Sales Representative
Ashley Facey, a prominent figure in the world of table tennis, has announced his retirement from the sport to pursue a new opportunity as a sales representative with Enovis, a company that specializes in orthopaedic implants.
Facey, who is still in his prime at 29 years old, acknowledged that this decision was not an easy one. “It is a big decision,” he said. “I’m still young but I’m nearly 30 and I thought, ‘do I continue as an athlete for another four years and have a crack at LA or do I want to have four years’ experience in a job and see how I get on in the working world?’“
The talented athlete explained that he was given a chance at the job despite his lack of experience, and he couldn’t turn down the opportunity. “I was given a shot at a job even though I’ve got no experience, and I couldn’t say no as it was something that I’ve been working towards over the past two years.“
Facey’s journey in table tennis has been remarkable. He first joined the British Para Table Tennis Team Performance Squad in 2009, discovering a passion for the sport at the age of 11 while growing up in East London. He went on to compete in two Paralympic Games, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, and won his first major championship medal at the European Championships in 2017, taking silver in the men’s class 10 team event with Kim Daybell.
“He is a great person and a great athlete, and I hope that he will find happiness in his new life. We wish him all the best.”
Over the years, Facey has achieved numerous accolades, including reaching the quarter-finals in the men’s class 9 singles at the World Championships in 2018 and winning the US Open title in 2024. Despite missing out on qualification for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Facey remains proud of his achievements in the sport.
As he transitions to the working world, Facey believes that the skills he developed as an athlete will serve him well in his new role. “As an athlete, I learnt how to grow from a boy to a man, be more professional and take ownership of my programme, and I can take all these attributes and apply them to the working world. There’s a lot to learn, but I’m looking forward to it.“
BPTT Performance Director Gorazd Vecko expressed his gratitude for Facey’s contributions to the team and wished him well in his new endeavor. “Ashley was part of our programme for a long time, and I’m happy that he felt supported in our table tennis family. He was very young when he joined us, and I feel that I have lost one of my table tennis sons.“
Vecko praised Facey’s achievements, highlighting his exceptional performances in doubles and singles, including the silver medal at the 2017 European Championships and his US Open title.
As Ashley Facey embarks on a new chapter, the table tennis community will undoubtedly miss his presence on the international stage, but they will fondly remember his unwavering dedication, sportsmanship, and the impact he has made in the sport.
🔗 Source
