Will Bayley is the “Players’ choice” at the European ParaTT Champs
Will Bayley ended his successful campaign at the European ParaTT Championships on a high note: after clinching gold in Men’s Singles Class 7, and leading Great Britain to silver in the Class 7 Team Event, the Englishman was honored with the Players’ Male Player of the Championships award during the event’s closing ceremony in Split, on October 28th.
Bayley, 23 years old, shared the honor with Class 8 French Thu Kamkasomphou, who received the Women Players’ award.
Bayley was recognised for his outstanding playing throughout the whole tournament, but also for his great mood and attitude that made him one of the most popular players in the ParaTT panorama: “It is great to receive this award: being the choice of my colleagues is something really special. Some outstanding players took part to the event and offered great performances, so there’s really a lot to be happy about,” Will Bayley told after the announcement.
Seeded second in Class 7 at the European Championships in Split, Bailey used his outstanding energy to overcome number 1, Ukrainian Mikhaylo Popov, in the singles event final, and could now move atop the World ranking in November.
A very important achievement for this Kent-born athlete who is now looking forward to his second experience at the Paralympic Games after his first time in Beijing 2008. Playing in front of his home fans doesn’t seem to worry Will, who has pretty clear ideas about the upcoming season: “2011 is practically over, in terms of competitions. We will restart playing in March, but I am looking not to pack my schedule too much ahead of the Paralympics. Of course I will make the best possible preparation, but I do not want to overload: I want to be fresh and at the top of my game when it counts most.”
David Evangelista