London, England
Darius Knight is a Table Tennis Star, Role Model and Ambassador for UK Sport.
He already plays for Great Britain on the ITTF World Pro Tour, as well as playing in the Spanish Superleague. He is the three times national under-21 champion and is the figurehead for the Fred Perry Urban Cup which promotes Table Tennis in inner cities.
His Television Appearances include the ongoing BBC TV’s Olympic Dreams Documentary, the Paul O’Grady Show (Twice!), and Transworld Sport.
Knight is sponsored by Sport and Cult Fashion Brand Fred Perry, and the two have established a key relationship, both raising the profile of the sport and helping to cultivate sport for underprivileged children. He is also part of the Visa Team of Olympic Hopefuls for 2012.
Hailed as “Table Tennis’s Lewis Hamilton” and known for his background as the ‘Underdog’ who overcame drugs and crime to become a Table Tennis Star, Darius has amassed a huge following of fans and supporters who share in his vision to pursue their dreams and to never give up.
If you would like to help Darius on his journey, click here to get involved.
Name: Darius Knight
D.O.B: 22/02/90
Height: 173cm
Weight: 70kg
Hometown: Battersea, London
Current Home: Sheffield
Table Tennis Style:
Left-handed Shakehands Attack
Bat:
Timo Boll Spirit Flared
Tenergy 05 (both sides)
Favourite TV Shows:
Smallville, Naruto
Favourite Music:
50 Cent, Drake, Lloyd Banks, Spider Loc, Hot Rod
Age starting Table Tennis:
9 Years Old. Before that, I was into Football.
Long-term Goal:
Gold at 2012 Olympics
The Story of Darius Knight
Before getting involved in table tennis, Darius Knight spent his time hanging around with his gang mates on the streets and stairwells of his syringe-strewn council estate in South London. Despite this, Darius has trodden on a different path, one that may hopefully take him to the top of the medal podium at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
“Of the gang of 15 that I used to hang out with, only three of us have done something positive with our lives. I was lucky because table tennis offered me a way out. If we could get more sporting opportunities for kids in places like that, it would give others a way out, too.”
His life changed in 2000, aged 11, after wandering into a youth club in Battersea and picking up a table tennis bat. Gideon Ashison was the only coach there and subsequently became Darius’ first table tennis coach. Although he was the worst player there, Gideon motivated him to improve. It wasn’t long before Darius fell in love with the sport. He quickly became fascinated by the speed of the ball, reactions and amazing spin created. Darius decided to give it his best shot to see where it would take him.
Gideon selected a few youngsters from the youth club, Darius included, to work with him in a garden shed belonging to a friend. It provided them with a free venue to practise uninterrupted everyday. Darius improved significantly but it became clear that one table in a shed was not enough to progress further – he was limited by the facilities.
Darius’ story thus far attracted the attention of the media and an article was published in The Times newspaper about Darius and his teammates. This not only catapulted them into the national spotlight, but donations arrived from the readers leading to the setting up of TTK Greenhouse, a project that has grown into one of the most crusading sports charities in Britain.
Although the Greenhouse project was set up, Darius left London for Nottingham. He was invited to live and train at the National Training Centre as his talent and potential had been spotted by the national coaches. Living in Nottingham proved to be a big change from life he was used to in London. The National Training Centre allowed Darius to solely focus on table tennis, blocking out all unnecessary distractions and pressures felt when living at home.
Darius worked hard on his strength, speed, stamina, consistency and concentration and this wasn’t in vain. Consequent rise in the English rankings was just one of the indicators of his huge improvement. Although Knight’s progress was slowed by a cut in funding by Sport England that led to the closure of the National Academy in 2004, a new, improved Academy was set up at Sheffield EIS, where Darius has trained since September 2008.
Darius has been playing above his age ever since he reached international standard when he was 14. Since then, he has been in the Top Ten in the English Senior Rankings and is currently ranked number 2. At just 16, he became National Under 21 Champion, and in his last year, he won the Under 18 Junior Title, a fitting end to his Junior Career.
He has had a strong impact on urban youth culture both as a role model and a celebrity, known for giving insightful and detailed interviews, and always speaking the truth.
“I don’t want any regrets saying I should have done something. The way I have been brought up has taught me that you are always in control of your own destiny.”
(Age 6) Darius with his Sister
(Age 10) Darius training at Tom’s Shed
(Age 15) Darius’ First European Title
(Age 17) Darius joins Team Visa
(Age 17) Darius models for The Mall