Member Associations | 1 Mar 2017

Three Rio Olympians lead the seedings in Nottingham

English PG Mutual National Championships

 

Paul DRINKHALL, Liam PITCHFORD and Sam WALKER are the top three in the men's singles at he English PG Mutual National Championships. DRINKHALL is the defending champion and has won the event five times in total – one more will put him level with England coach Alan COOKE on six but still some way behind Desmond DOUGLAS, who won 11 titles.

 

PITCHFORD has won the men's singles three times, while WALKER is looking for his first victory – he lost in the final to DRINKHALL last year.

 

The defending champion in the women's singles is Tin-Tin HO, who won the event for the first time last year when she beat Kelly SIBLEY in the final. SIBLEY is top seed and will be aiming to win her sixth title.

 

The event will also see Joanna DRINKHALL make her playing comeback for the first time since 2014, since when she and Paul have had two children.

 

Joanna and Paul will play in the mixed doubles and Jo will partner Sibley in the women's doubles. However, she is not playing in the singles.

 

In the men's doubles, DRINKHALL and PITCHFORD are the hot favourites to win the title for the fifth year in succession.

 

The defending champions in the under-21s are Tom JARVIS and Maria TSAPTSINOS.

 

The event is being held at the University of Nottingham and also features three para classes, with six Paralympic players competing, including champion Will Bayley.

 

The men's doubles, women's singles and men's singles finals will be shown live on the SPORTbible Facebook page from 2.15pm GMT on Sunday.

 

https://www.facebook.com/SPORTbible/?fref=ts