World Superstars set for UK showdown

China has confirmed that they will be sending their strongest selection of table tennis superstars in a bid to dominate proceedings at the 65th English Open. Included in the mix is the Olympic Champion Ma Lin, the World number 1 and current World Champion Wang Hao, and not to be outdone, the triple World Champion and the current English Open holder Wang Liqin.

Held at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield this October the event will be the first English Open in eight years and will bring together the greatest collection of table tennis talent to the UK since the World Championships in 1997. Funded by UK Sport and Welcome to Yorkshire, the regional development agency for Yorkshire, this event is one of only four Majors on the International Table Tennis Federation's Pro Tour circuit.

Richard Yule, English Table Tennis Association Chief Executive said "This is exceptionally exciting, the English Open has a great standing within international table tennis. To be able to host such precocious talents including World and Olympic Champions is an honour. The support from UK Sport and Welcome to Yorkshire has ensured that this event can happen, and with such a glittering array of talent already confirmed I am 100% confident this is going to be the greatest English Open we have ever staged."
 

By Richard Pettit (ETTA National Communications Manager)