Disability Sport Wales
Chwaraeon Anabledd Cymru

HEAD MAKES WORLD TOP SIX

Sara Head descended upon the German International Table Tennis Championships alongside her fellow GB team mates, Claire Robertson, Scott Robertson and Rob Davies.

Sara began the competition with confidence after a successful season so far. In the first event Sara fought hard, winning her singles group to beat Croatian Karic in the quarter finals and face Swedens, Alguist in the Semi’s. After being defeated by Swedish whizz, Sara went on to challenge for the bronze medal in an all out thrashing of Paardekern from Holland 3-0.

In Germany, Sara teamed up once again with GB teammate Jane Campbell to wipe the floor with Croatia in the Quarter finals. A combined effort between France and Poland still could not put the GB duo out. On reaching the team finals Campbell and Head pinged home a 3-0 win to make the crowd purr as they whisked away with Gold.

Welsh player, Claire Robertson teamed up with GB team mate Sue Gilroy to smash the opposition and take home a silver medal in the team event. In the single class, Clare fought hard and took home a bronze medal to complete a medal rush for the Welsh players in team GB.

Brecon born Rob Davies later added to the medal rush, playing alongside World number 1, Holga Nikels from Germany. The pair took Gold in this combined team effort. North Wales born Scott Robertson teamed up with Tommy Urhaug to bring about a GB and Norweigan arrangement. As the players progressed through the competition they built a good rapport for future success together.

The Polish Championships took place in early September, Claire Robertson and Sara began with high hopes of gaining even more ranking points. Claire Robertson powered her way to the semi-finals in the singles event. In the Semi’s Claire faced doubles partner Sue Gilroy and lost a fair battle. Claire went on to make fourth place just missing out on a bronze medal against Mexico. Claire built up the GB medal count later on in the competition when she took bronze in a much deserved team effort alongside Sue Gilroy.

Sara competed in the open singles where she was knocked out by the Swedish class 5 – Lundback. Putting this quickly behind her, Sara went on to take a silver medal in the singles event. Sara was halted in the final by Swedish marvel Alquist. In the team event Sara paired up with Campbell to storm to the final beating Ireland 3-0 and collecting another Gold medal.

After a successful year and having recent news that she is now ranked world number 6!!

Sara commented,

“I feel as though the hard work and dedication from the team and I has really paid off massively. I am grateful for all the support that I have received and I hope that I have done enough so far to qualify for the World Championships in Korea next year.”

“Next year will be tough in the lead up to Korea in October so I will be keeping focused and continue to train hard from now until then.”

Reported by Steph Larkin, FDSW

Please contact Disability Sport Wales for further details.
Tel: 02920 338344
Email: office@fdsw.org.uk

Commenting is closed for this article.