The eighth in the series of ten major Grand Prix events takes place this coming weekend on the 14th/15th May at the Redbridge Sports Centre, Forest Road, Barkingside, Essex, IG6 3HD.
The Bribar London Grand Prix has attracted 180 competitors from far and wide with many overseas players coming from Korea, Hungary, Poland, France, Germany, Norway together with our good friends from Scotland, Ireland and Wales (and not forgetting the Isle of Man) with many taking the opportunity to visit the capital during their long weekend break.
None more so than a party of eight players from Norway who will take time out to see the sights and bright lights that the City has to offer. Recently the eyes of the world were on London with the magical feel good factor the Royal Wedding gave to millions around the globe and this feeling will further continue when next year the “Capital of the World” will host the 2012 Olympic Games.
It seems London is the place to be right now and the Men’s Open event scheduled for Sunday has tempted a very strong field of competitors. Topping the seeds is Artur Daniel from Poland who is world ranked at 230, followed by this year’s Grand Prix point’s leader (the unbeaten Welsh Wizard), Ryan Jenkins. Seeded at 3 is Victorien Le Guen from France with the reigning four times Grand Prix master, Scotland’s own Gavin Rumgay at 4. This year’s Peterborough Grand Prix Champion Chris Doran takes fifth pole position followed closely by Germany’s Ricardo Walther (winner of two Grand Prix’s last year) with the England duo of Matt Ware at 7 and Damien Nicholls at 8. David McBeath slots in at 9 with Ireland’s Paul McCreery making up the top ten seeds in what will be a fantastic event.
What the Women’s Open event lacks in quantity is made up for in quality with last season’s Grand Prix Champion Egle Adomelyte topping the seeds. Hot on her heels will be Karina Le Fevre at 2, with Lauren Spink taking 3rd pole position and the ever improving Welsh wonder Charlotte Carey making up the top four. Melissa Wright, Evangeline Collier, Chloe Thomas, Sarah Horsnell, Barbara Izyk and Jurate Brazaityte make up the top ten wannabes.
Play gets under way at 8.45am sharp on Saturday morning with the nine banded Men’s and Women’s competitions taking centre stage.
The Bribar trade stand and its representatives will be in attendance throughout the two days play to cater for all your table tennis equipment needs.
The remaining Grand Prix events now scheduled for this year are as follows;
Sussex Satellite Grand Prix – 4th/5th June
Bribar Guildford Grand Prix – 11th/12th June
Tees Sport Barnsley Grand Prix – 23rd/24th July
By Geoff Ware