BOYS of 13 don't usually like spots - but Ping Ho put his pimples to good use this week when his table tennis bat, that's covered in them, helped him win the National Cadet Doubles Championship.
The Bayswater teenager's triumph alongside Lewis Gray from Kent, saw off the Middlesex pairing of Zak Zilesnic and Reece Tan, 3-1 in the final at Loughborough.
Charles Ho was adamant his son's bat, as well as his unusual penholder style, gained him a first major title.
He said: "Ping's bat, with short pimples on one side and plain rubber on the other, is something younger players don't see that much and I'm sure it contributed to his success."
Young Ho also got to the semi-final of the singles but was edged out by partner Gray.
Ping's 10-year-old sister Tin-Tin didn't miss out either - she was presented with the Mike Watts Achievement Award for being the most Improved Young Female Player in the English Table Tennis Association ranking points system for 2007/08.
