The Welsh National Championships take place on 2nd and 3rd March at Sport Wales National Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. This has been the venue for the ‘Closed’ for as long as one remembers and will remain so for years to follow. The capital city is the,
The Welsh National Championships take place on 2nd and 3rd March at Sport Wales National Centre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. This has been the venue for the ‘Closed’ for as long as one remembers and will remain so for years to follow. The capital city is the hotspot for Welsh table tennis.
After 11 times champion and current National Coach Ryan JENKINS decided not to compete this year against his group of youngsters he coaches it opens the door for his brother Stephen to come in as number 1 seed to the event. Steve, who is a part time coach himself, has won bronze medals at Commonwealth level at the 2004 and 2009 Championships in Kuala Lumpur and Glasgow respectively. He tops the pile of opponents who include Daniel O’CONNELL, Patrick THOMAS, Dean CUNDY and Conor EDWARDS.
The women’s event sees the reigning champion returning to defend the title. Naomi OWEN ranked in the mid 300’s in the latest ITTF world ranking will look to stay ahead of the younger chasing pack of Charlotte CAREY, Megan PHILIPS, Angharad PHILIPS and Chloe THOMAS Nicole HALLl, last year’s runner up, is also in the chasing pack looking to pick up the winners’ cup.
Conor EDWARDS is hoping to retain his junior boys crown and win that event for a third time in a row. Charlotte CAREY however didn’t have the greatest competition in 2012 but will be fighting hard to put that right in the junior girls this time around.
Laura EDWARDS (seeded 1) will face opposition in the cadet girls from Soffi Jenkins, Kate ROBERTS, Lydia JOHN and Charlotte SLYE. While Jac JENKINS (seeded 1) will try and fend off Callum EVANS, Thomas HEYDON and Lawrence JOHN in the cadet boys category.
The various doubles and mixed doubles events offer fascinating encounters as do the Veteran and U21 singles. Whatever the outcome, there will be passion from the ‘Dragons’ who put themselves out there this March at the home of Welsh table tennis.
(courtesy Welsh Table Tennis Association)
Photo: Naomi OWEN
