New tournament shows strength of Para Table Tennis in Wales

New tournament shows strength of Para Table Tennis in Wales

The British Para Table Tennis Grand Prix series continues on July 15-16 with the inaugural Merthyr Tydfil Grand Prix, which is being organised in partnership with Table Tennis Wales and The College Merthyr Tydfil.

Welsh players feature prominently in the British Para Table Tennis Performance Squad, which includes Commonwealth champion and World silver medallist Joshua Stacey, former Paralympic and four-time European champion Rob Davies, Tokyo Paralympic medallists Tom Matthews and Paul Karabardak and World doubles champion Grace Williams. In addition, Daniel Mead and Jacob Wicks, who are both supported by Table Tennis Wales Pathway, are part of the BPTT Pathway squad.

“I’m really looking forward to competing in the beautiful country of Wales,” said Matthews. “It’s going to be a great competition to build from following the Czech Open last month. I’m hoping to stay match sharp leading into the European Championships in Sheffield in September so I feel this tournament will be great preparation for that event.”

“It has been great working with Table Tennis Wales, who have been extremely proactive in bringing to life the Merthyr Tydfil Grand Prix,” said BPTT Programme Manager Shaun Marples. “I’m very keen for this to be well supported by our Performance and Pathway athletes, members of British Para Table Tennis and potentially a few new faces as well. I’d like to give a special thanks to Simon Evans for allowing us to use the excellent facilities at the college and we are all looking forward to the first of many tournaments there.”

"Table Tennis Wales are really pleased to support this prestigious event in Merthyr College,” said TTW Chief Executive Officer Owen Rodgers. “We want to develop our competition structure, and this includes supporting GB Para events. It will be great to see all the Welsh Para players competing in this event".

Further details are available here: https://www.britishparatabletennis.com/products/bptt-merthyr-tydfil-grand-prix