The 2014 Butterfly Irish National Table Tennis Championships will take place in the fine setting of the University of Limerick this weekend (March 1st-2nd). Over 200 entries from all over Ireland will battle it out in order to claim one of the twelve Iris, The 2014 Butterfly Irish National Table Tennis Championships will take place in the fine setting of the University of Limerick this weekend (March 1st-2nd). Over 200 entries from all over Ireland will battle it out in order to claim one of the twelve Irish National Championship titles that are up for grabs. The Eddie Limberg Perpetual trophies for the Men’s and Women’s Singles competitions will be the most coveted prizes of the weekend. Last year saw Paul MCCREERY take his first ever Men’s Singles title; Paul, based in Nottingham at university, will be the number 2 seed and has every chance to make it back to back titles. John MURPHY has won 5 out of 7 titles since 2007 and this year he takes the top seeding. Gavin MAGUIRE has one title from 2009; MAGUIRE had a fantastic win over the Welsh Wizard Ryan JENKINS at the Munster Open this year. Gavin is in his second year playing professionally in the German league and this experience has him playing the best table tennis of his career. Ashley ROBINSON is now also playing professionally with Gavin in Germany and will be keen to show he has what it takes to win his maiden National Senior title. Ryan FARRELL will be the youngster to watch, Farrell is in fantastic form and was recently selected for his first World Senior Championships and maybe 2014 is his year.  Peter GRAHAM, Connacht Open Champion, is also a major threat and this trip to the west of Ireland could let him get his first National Senior title. There are plenty of other players who fancy their chances in Limerick including Sam LOGUE, Daryl STRONG, Tibor POFOK, Declan O’BRIEN and Tom DAVIS. Irish Women’s table tennis could see some big battles this weekend with the two on-form youngsters, Katie MCGLONE and Hannah LYNCH-DAWSON, both who have tasted success around the senior circuit this year keen to add a National Senior Title to their ever growing trophy cabinets. However Ashley GIVAN last year won her third championship at just 18 years of age, she has several caps for Ireland and will be keen to use her experience to add a fourth. The Women’s Singles sees a welcomed return for 3 times National Champion and former No. 1 Amanda MOGEY who has been struggling for injury over the past year. Amanda last won in 2012 and will be looking to win back the coveted title. There is no shortage of challengers ready to knock them off their perches, including Marta ZAREBA, Emma LUDLOW and Sarah TIMLIN. The other events will see several battles as the holders look to retain their titles. The tournament referee is Con O’CEADAIGH. List of Events and current holders: Men’s Singles (Eddie Limberg Perpetual Trophy) – Paul McCreery Women’s Singles (Eddie Limberg Perpetual Trophy) – Ashley Givan Veterans Singles – Daryl Strong Under 21 Mens Singles – Paul McCreery Under 21 Ladies Singles – Sarah Timlin Men’s Wheelchair Singles – Ronan Rooney Ladies Wheelchair Singles – Kathleen Reynolds Class II Singles – Geoffrey O’Connor Men’s Doubles – Paul McCreery and John Murphy Ladies Doubles – Ashley Givan and Amanda Mogey Wheelchair Doubles – Philip Quinlan and Ronan Rooney Mixed Doubles – Amanda Mogey and Paul McCeery  

The Hungarian national Championships will be held in Celldomolk Hungary. The venue for the events is City Sport Hall, home of the National Mens team champion Celldomolk VSE. Main favorites in women’s singles are top seeded Szandra PERGEL, 2013 women’s sin, The Hungarian national Championships will be held in Celldomolk Hungary. The venue for the events is City Sport Hall, home of the National Mens team champion Celldomolk VSE. Main favorites in women’s singles are top seeded Szandra PERGEL, 2013 women’s singles champion, Krisztina AMBRUS, 2013 TOP 12 champion Dora MADARASZ, 4th seeded Eva BRAUN. The competition in men’s singles Event is also fierce. At the top of the seedings are: last year’s mens singles champion Adam PATTANTYUS, four times champion Janos JAKAB, 2013 Top 12 champion Peter FAZEKAS, seeded no. three Tamas LAKATOS and Adam SZUDI 2014 Youth Olympic Games participant. Last year winners are: Krisztina AMBRUS in Women’s Singles, Adam PATTANTYÚS in men’s Singles, Georgina POTA, Petra LOVAS in Women’s doubles, Adam LINDNER, Gabor GEROLD in Men’s doubles and Dora MADARASZ, Daniel KOSIBA in Mixed Doubles Event Schedule – Saturday: 10 women doubles, men doubles (qualification stage), 12 women singles, men singles (qualification stage), 16.30 women singles, men singles (main draw first round) Sunday: 10 women singles, men singles (main draw), 15 women, men doubles semi-finals, 15.30 women, men singles semi-finals, 16.15 women, men doubles final, 17 women, men singles final

The 72nd Danish Championships in table tennis will be played in the coming weekend in Odense. A new table tennis queen will be crowned, because the dancing queen Mie SKOV, champion 8 years in a row does not participate. The new queen most likely will be e, The 72nd Danish Championships in table tennis will be played in the coming weekend in Odense. A new table tennis queen will be crowned, because the dancing queen Mie SKOV, champion 8 years in a row does not participate. The new queen most likely will be either Mie BINNERUP JACOBSEN silver medalist last year or Pernille AGERHOLM or Stefanie H CHRISTENSEN. Jonathan GROTH is the main favorite to take the title for the third time in a row. Seeded no. two is Kasper STERNBERG . Dark horses in the race will be the veterans Allan BENTSEN and Finn TUGWELL. The 46 year old Allan BENTSEN plays together with the 17 year old Claus SCHOU NIELSEN in men’s double and they are top seeded. Allan BENTSEN is the record holder by number of titles in Danish table tennis. He has won 48 championships and further more he has been champion in Croatia and Sweden in the team event. 88 players between 13 and 55 years old from 24 clubs participate . The finals will be streamed on the internet on the Danish Sportschannel Kanal Sport. http://kanalsport.dk/livestream      

The Belgian Serie A championship 2014 will be held this weeкend in Andenne, a small city between Liège and Namur. Jean-Michel SAIVE, at 44 years, will try to collect his 25th individual title from 1985. During this period, the man from Logis Auderghem, su, The Belgian Serie A championship 2014 will be held this weeкend in Andenne, a small city between Liège and Namur. Jean-Michel SAIVE, at 44 years, will try to collect his 25th individual title from 1985. During this period, the man from Logis Auderghem, suffered only 5 defeats in 29 participations; in finals against Thierry CABREA (1990/1991) and Philippe SAIVE (2003), in semi against Frédéric SONNET (1993) and in quarter-final against Lauric JEAN (2010). This edition will mark the return of the double’s competition on same Championships but on… two days. Philippe SAIVE, 42 years, winner in 1993 and 2003, will also participate. This competition will help his preparation for the World Veterans Championship in New-Zealand and the defense of his crown in the category 40-50. Top seeded in Men’s Singles Event are:1. Jean-Michel SAIVE; 2. Yannick VOSTES; 3. Robin DEVOS; 4. Cédric NUYTINCK; 5. Philippe SAIVE; 6. Cédric MERCHEZ; 7. Benjamin ROGIERS; 8. Lauric JEAN. In Women’s Singles Event: 1. Nathalie MARCHETTI; 2. Lisa LUNG; 3. Elena CHMIGUELSKAÏA; 4. Eline LOYEN; 5. Gabriella VINCI; 6. Lauranne HACKEMACK; 7. Margo DEGRAEF; 8. Florence Van ACKER. LAST 5 WINNERS 2009: Jean-Michel SAIVE  // Laurence JUNKER 2010: Yannick VOSTES // Karen OPDENCAMP 2011: Jean-Michel SAIVE // Karen OPDENCAMP 2012: Jean-Michel SAIVE // Daria MITYUKOVA 2013: Jean-Michel SAIVE // Nathalie MARCHETTI SCHEDULE (Andenne Arena, Square Docteur Melin 14, 5300 ANDENNE) Saturday from 9.30 am; last 16 for men at 6.30 pm. Sunday from 10.00 am with the finals at 3 pm (mixed double), 5 pm (women’s double), 5.30 pm (men’s double), 6.00 pm (women’s single) and 6.30 (men’s single).

Sandra DEATON has been appointed the first female Chair of the English Table Tennis Association (ETTA). Sandra was the unopposed candidate in the election which was required after the death of the previous Chairman, Andy SEWARD, in January 2014. Sandra he, Sandra DEATON has been appointed the first female Chair of the English Table Tennis Association (ETTA). Sandra was the unopposed candidate in the election which was required after the death of the previous Chairman, Andy SEWARD, in January 2014. Sandra held the position of Vice Chairman of Performance and Selection in the current Board of the ETTA and had responsibility for the elite athletes in the sport. She takes over the role of Chair at a time when the ETTA and English table tennis are in the middle of restructuring and reorganising itself following a independent review and a warning from its financial supporters, Sport England. Twelve months ago, the ETTA had effectively been put on notice to make changes. That process was undertaken by the previous Chairman and his new Board of which Sandra was a key member. She sees her task as continuing that work. Sandra DEATON said: “Last year I was pleased to be part of the new Board of the ETTA and shared the vision of our late Chairman. I know that we are on the right track to make table tennis a sport fit for the 21st century. “Sport England has recently endorsed our work so far by awarding a further tranche of funding. I am now committed to ensuring that table tennis can be enjoyed at a social level by all ages, at a competitive level in leagues and clubs around the country, that our current elite athletes receive the best opportunities to compete internationally and that we identify and nurture our talent for the future. “It is not going to happen overnight, but I am sure that we are on the right road to deliver these objectives.” Sandra’s involvement in table tennis as a volunteer has span a period of over 40 years with first hand experience in development at school, club and regional level. She has been involved with all levels of marketing and competition of the sport from local to national events. She was chair of the East Midland Region for over a decade and alongside her late husband an extensive sports promotion business with a client base of National and International companies. She also has personal experience of elite performance from beginners to international standard as her daughter was a several-times National Champion.

UMMC Palace of sports (Verkhnaya Pyshma) is the venue for the XVII Russian National Championships. Championships will have single’s and team’s events. In 2013 the medal podium were occupied by: Vyacheslav BUROV, Denis Gavrilov, Alexey SMIRNOV and Grigory , UMMC Palace of sports (Verkhnaya Pyshma) is the venue for the XVII Russian National Championships. Championships will have single’s and team’s events. In 2013 the medal podium were occupied by: Vyacheslav BUROV, Denis Gavrilov, Alexey SMIRNOV and Grigory VLASOV in men’s Singles. In Women’s Singles: Polina MIKHAILOVA, Antonina SAVELIEVA, Maria DOLGIKH and Yulia PROKHOROVA secured the titles. Last year’s winners in other Events were : Moscow in Men’s teams and Women’s teams; Anastasia VORONOVA and Yulia PROKHOROVA in Women’s Doubles; Kirill SKACHKOV and Alexey SMIRNOV in Men’s Doubles; Vyacheslav BUROV and Olga BARANOVA in Mixed Doubles. In singles events best 16 (regarding national ranking) will go directly to the round of 32. Other 48 will play in 16 groups (3 players in each group). 16 winners will join the Round of 32. Currently Alexander SHIBAEV, Alexey LIVENTSOV, Vasily LAKEEV showed great shape.  

Once again Minsk will be the host for Belarus National Championships. Last year at the same place Pavel PLATONOV and Alexandra PRIVALOVA clinched the titles in their respective Men’s and Women’s Singles Event. Now they will be on duty again. Seeded no. tw, Once again Minsk will be the host for Belarus National Championships. Last year at the same place Pavel PLATONOV and Alexandra PRIVALOVA clinched the titles in their respective Men’s and Women’s Singles Event. Now they will be on duty again. Seeded no. two in Men’s Singles Event is Dimitij FAREITOROV, whilst last year’s runner up Vitaly NEKHVEDOVICH is listed at the position no. four. PRIVALOVA is topping the seeding list followed by Elena DUBKOVA. Finalist from 2013, Maryia KUCHUK is no. four seed, one place below Katsiaryna BARAVOK. In the Men’s Doubles Event Pavel PLATONOV and IIIia BARBOLIN clinched the title in 2013, as well as Maryia KUCHUK and Ina KARAHODZINA in Women’s Doubles Event and Alexandra PRIVALOVA and Pavel PLATONOV added gold to their record in Mixed Doubles Event.

The 2013/14 English Senior National Table Tennis Championships will be held in Ponds Forge, Sheffield (February 28 – Mar 2, 2014). Over 150 of England’s finest table tennis players will converge on the Steel City for the 55th edition of the country’s prem, The 2013/14 English Senior National Table Tennis Championships will be held in Ponds Forge, Sheffield (February 28 – Mar 2, 2014). Over 150 of England’s finest table tennis players will converge on the Steel City for the 55th edition of the country’s premier table tennis competition to decide who will be crowned National Champion. As ever it is a strong entry in the Men’s and Women’s Singles with both 2012/13 victors; Liam PITCHFORD and Kelly SIBLEY, taking the top seeding position in their pursuit of a successful title defence. Twenty-year-old PITCHFORD will be the hot favourite to retain his crown after another excellent 12 months in which he burst into the world’s top 100. Sibley, meanwhile, will hope to equal Jill HAMMERSLEY and Nicola DEATON’S national record of four consecutive Women’s Singles titles. However, there will be a swathe of budding challengers ready to knock them off their perch, especially with the competition arriving in the midst of selection for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Spaces are at a premium in Scotland so the likes of Paul DRINKHALL, Andrew BAGGALEY, Daniel REED, Darius KNIGHT, Sam WALKER, Chris DORAN, David MCBEATH and Gavin EVANS – all recent internationals, will all have their eyes on a spot in the summer squad. There will also be fierce competition from 2012/13’s beaten finalist, Joanna DRINKHALL, as well as Hannah HICKS, Tin-Tin HO, Karina Le FEVRE and Emma VICKERS among many others to stop Women’s Champion SIBLEY in her tracks and book a seat on the plane to Glasgow. But it isn’t only the Men’s and Women’s Singles Champions who are decided as the Under-21s, Veterans and Doubles competitions all take place during a hectic three-day weekend in Yorkshire. Ticket details for the nationals can be found here.