Disability Sport Wales
Chwaraeon Anabledd Cymru
The Federation of Disability Sport Wales (FDSW) is a pan-disability National Governing Body of Sport Which aims to promote and develop quality sports opportunities
WALES` FINEST HEAD FOR EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
A six player strong Welsh team will represent Great Britain in the Wheelchair Table Tennis World Championships in Genova, Italy from 3rd-14th June 2009.
The Italian crowd will experience the delights of single, open and team performances from 29-year-old and Beddau born Sara Head, Paralympians Clare and Scott Robertson, from Flintshire, 24-year-old Rob Davies, from Brecon, Paul Karabardak from Swansea and 43-year-old Paul Davies from Bridgend.
Qualification for the World Championships in Koreo 2010 depends upon the ranking points gained for the world ranking list which closes on 31st December this year. Being almost six months into the competition season, the pressure of qualification is building all the time and one player in particular; Sara Head is hunting for another medal in Italy.
“I’m taking this year one point, one game and one event at a time. It’s important that I remain focused on each game as they arise, I am determined to have a positive Championships in Italy and enjoy the competition for my successes. I believe a happy player is a successful player.”
Wales` finest will begin the competition in the open class on 5th and 6th June. The open class is where a player can be drawn against players within a different class of disability. The competition will then switch to a three day table tennis marathon for the singles event. Sara and the team will face a raw battle for individual ranking points as they look towards the possibility of travelling to Korea for the wheelchair table tennis World Championships next year.
Looking forward to the rest of the season, Sara added: “I am relishing the challenges that the Europeans will bring and look forwards to a successful year in my attempt to qualify for the World Champs.”
On the final day of competition Sara hopes to team up again with English partner Jane Campbell to demonstrate their pulsating playing spirit once again. Jane and Sara combined in Slovenia recently to take the gold medal in the team event.
Fellow Welsh Paralympian Claire Robertson will team up with GB team mate Sue Gilroy in the team event. Claire’s husband and Paralympian Scott Robertson will also compete in all three events alongside standing player, Paul Karabardak. Welsh duo, Rob Davies and Paul Davies will combine for the team event.
The International Table Tennis calendar is locked with competition throughout the year. Keep up to date with Sara and the team as they head towards Poland and Germany in September.
Reported by Steph Larkin
Please Disability Sport Wales for further details. Tel: 02920 338344 Email: stephanie.larkin@fdsw.org.uk
Commenting is closed for this article.
