Interview #1 with Liam Pitchford
Posted by admin | Filed under In the News
Hey everyone, recently I had a little sit down with my TT colleague Liam Pitchford and I gave him a quick 11 question interview.
Q1. When did you first start playing Table Tennis
A1. I first began at around 9 years of age in Junior School.
Q2. Why did you get involved with such an unusual game?
A2. I got into it just as something to do at lunch, but it soon grew on me. I found it interesting and challenging.
Q3. What are your biggest achievements to date?
A3. I recently won the Senior Six Nations - singles and team event, European Youth Bronze and Silver Medals, Team Bronze at the World Junior Championships, and I became the England Cadet Champion in 2008.
Q4. What do you do when you’re not playing Table Tennis?
A4. Normally I like to catch up with friends from school and watch a bit of TV, the usual really.
Q5. Describe yourself in 3 words.
A5. Funny, Talkative… Witty!
Q6. Do you have any sporting heroes or role models?
A6. I’d have to say Lance Armstrong is my all-time favourite, because of the sheer amount of courage and determination he has shown, as well as the consistency of his performance over the years.
Q7. How often do you train during the week?
A7. Every single week day I train twice a day, for about three hours each. We work on technical aspects as well as physical.
Q8. Who is your current sponsor?
A8. Butterfly
Q9. What are your current goals for the future?
A9. My main aim is to make the all-imporant Team GB for 2012, but the more immediate goal is to win medals at the European and World Youth events.
Q10. What has been your proudest moment so far in sport?
A10. My proudest moment was probably when I won the vital fifth game at the European Youths to take the team to the final.
Q11. Who has been your best win?
A11. I have beaten Liu Song, World Ranked 95
Thank you Liam, I hope everyone enjoyed this interview, more to come.
China B League Blog #2
Posted by admin | Filed under Personal, Table Tennis
When I went to the China B league, the players told me that we were catching the train, I was like, “oh that’s cool no worries… nothing I haven’t done before…”, but then they said it was 12 hours and we are sleeping on it and its 6 of us in one room… you gotta be joking me! Just imagine what I thought, “no way on this earth am I doing that, I literally just laughed when we were in the hall and said NO CHANCE in Chinese.
So anyway we were at the station with the players, they are my age and younger, mostly younger than me (16-18 they say)… we had no coach with us…
so I walked onto the train… I had like a sports tracksuit on; my body just started dripping as soon I got on the train was just full of people like the London underground at rush hour times. Added to that, I had my bags with me and I don’t travel lightly. Eventually I just changed into my shorts and shirt which made things a lot cooler.
I ended up on the triple bunk bed carriage in the middle with a woman opposite me… I’m thinking what is going on here! The players are playing cards I’m just in bed sweating playing on my PSP and my Ipod in my ears trying to just kill time in the most fun way possible given the ridiculousness of the situation. Coming to about an hour being on the train I actually felt okay about it, I guess being from the western world we really take things for granted.
I felt like a kid who is on an adventure following his dream by any means: up for anything, down for anything. I slept through the night and was woken up the next morning by the players… so overall I can honestly say it was fun and I would do it again I think… haha… thank God I never needed the toilet, it’s only a hole in the floor…
China B League Blog #1
Posted by admin | Filed under Personal, Table Tennis
The other strategy is to just give them variety to try and break the flow of the game and also their different serve spin, and placement, playing speeds and body language.
Liverpool Grand Prix
Posted by admin | Filed under Upcoming Events
I plan to play the Liverpool Grand Prix on 16th August depending on the travel arrangements when I come back from China.
Nintendo Wii Sports Resort Launch
Posted by admin | Filed under Upcoming Events
Nintendo Wii launches its new Game Wii Summer Resort in Europe on July 26th with the arrival of the new adverts.
Darius will feature in the advert promoting the Table Tennis part of the game.
It will definitely by a good look!
Go reserve a copy at Amazon now.
China Pro Tour
Posted by admin | Filed under Upcoming Events
From August 12-16, I will be playing in the China Pro Tour in Zhengzhou.
This will mark the end of my stay in China.
China B Senior League
Posted by admin | Filed under Upcoming Events
From 10th to 16th July, I will be playing in China’s B Senior League.
I hope to make a good impression for my club and gain vital experience against the Chinese.
China Intensive Training Trip
Posted by admin | Filed under Upcoming Events
I will be spending two months in China (June to August).
I have decided to go out there on my own without any of my England Teammates or Coaches.
This is an important stage in my career and I want to take this opportunity to spend my summer training hard in the best country for Table Tennis in the World.
I will be based in the Sichuan Province, a few hours from Beijing.
I will be publishing weekly blog posts so stay tuned.
Top 5 T.V. Shows
Posted by admin | Filed under Darius' Top 5
1. Smallville
2. Gossip Girl
3. Legend of the Seeker
4. Everybody Hates Chris
5. Naruto
What do you think?
Reporting from China Training Week 1
Posted by admin | Filed under Personal