MickM
04-21-2008, 10:36 AM
http://www.sportfocus.com/newsimage/EMMA%20VICKERS-21.jpg
The Rivermead Leisure Complex, always a popular venue with table tennis fans, hosts another great line-up next month and among the entries are the current England No 1 and 2.
The Junior and Cadet National Championships attract the very best players and this year has proved no exception with the Paul Drinkhall and Darius Knight pitching their skills against some of the most talented youngsters in the sport.
Paul Drinkhall, still hoping to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, heads for the Richfield Avenue centre next week (May 3/4) clearly aiming to move out of the junior rankings on a high note.
For the 18 year old England No 1 senior player, this will be his last year as a junior and he aims to make it one to remember by making it three singles titles in a row.
The Cleveland based player may have to fight harder than he expects if he is to retain his title. Barring his way to the title is London’s Darius Knight who on his day can match Drinkhall shot for shot.
Gavin Evans, another of England’s young up and coming players is No 3 seed, with the talented Liam Pitchford at No 4.
With last years winner Melanie Farquhar not competing in the girls event, it provides Emma Vickers with a chance to snatch her first national junior title. She is promoted to No 1 seed ahead of Sarra Wang her main challenger.
One of the most exciting competitions comes in the Cadet singles where a clash between Gavin Evans and Liam Pitchford is seeded to take place in the final round and would provide a fascinating and spectacular match.
What are the chances for local players, well it promises to be tough. For Richard Andrews, recently back from the World School Championships in Malta and hopefully over his trauma of losing his luggage in the T5 chaos, it’s a chance to move up in the rankings.
Tom Maynard, another player from the ambitious Kingfisher Club, will join Andrews in the junior event, whilst Ayonija Sundararajan will be aiming to make a name for herself in the girls Cadet event.
Players and coaches should note that glue testing equipment will be in use at these championships.
The Rivermead Leisure Complex, always a popular venue with table tennis fans, hosts another great line-up next month and among the entries are the current England No 1 and 2.
The Junior and Cadet National Championships attract the very best players and this year has proved no exception with the Paul Drinkhall and Darius Knight pitching their skills against some of the most talented youngsters in the sport.
Paul Drinkhall, still hoping to qualify for the Beijing Olympics, heads for the Richfield Avenue centre next week (May 3/4) clearly aiming to move out of the junior rankings on a high note.
For the 18 year old England No 1 senior player, this will be his last year as a junior and he aims to make it one to remember by making it three singles titles in a row.
The Cleveland based player may have to fight harder than he expects if he is to retain his title. Barring his way to the title is London’s Darius Knight who on his day can match Drinkhall shot for shot.
Gavin Evans, another of England’s young up and coming players is No 3 seed, with the talented Liam Pitchford at No 4.
With last years winner Melanie Farquhar not competing in the girls event, it provides Emma Vickers with a chance to snatch her first national junior title. She is promoted to No 1 seed ahead of Sarra Wang her main challenger.
One of the most exciting competitions comes in the Cadet singles where a clash between Gavin Evans and Liam Pitchford is seeded to take place in the final round and would provide a fascinating and spectacular match.
What are the chances for local players, well it promises to be tough. For Richard Andrews, recently back from the World School Championships in Malta and hopefully over his trauma of losing his luggage in the T5 chaos, it’s a chance to move up in the rankings.
Tom Maynard, another player from the ambitious Kingfisher Club, will join Andrews in the junior event, whilst Ayonija Sundararajan will be aiming to make a name for herself in the girls Cadet event.
Players and coaches should note that glue testing equipment will be in use at these championships.