Top of the Table

by Rebecca Lee 23.04.09

As the British squad prepare for the World Table Tennis Championships in Japan which begin next week, English Institute of Sport (EIS) Performance Analyst and Fast-Track Practitoner Programme (FPP) intern, Chris Loxton, will be amongst the travelling party as they look to pick up valuable experience in their preparations leading up to London 2012.

Recognising the importance of continually developing practitioners professionally, UK Sport, EIS and British Table Tennis are ensuring the trip adds value to Loxton’s skills and experience as a Performance Analysis Intern on the FPP.

Loxston has been working with the British Table Tennis programme for over a year and along with supporting the squad at the event, he will be learning from leading experts working with the sport from around the world.

“Japan are amongst the leading nations in table tennis” says Loxston. “Being able to combine supporting the squad at a major event, gaining footage of some of the leading players from around the world, as well as developing professionally during the trip is a fantastic opportunity” he adds.

Spending time at the Japanese Institute of Sport next week in Tokyo, Loxston will then travel to Yokohama where he will spend three days at the 11th ITTS Sports Science and Racquet Sports Conference. 

“Getting an insight into other countries techniques, the latest technology and combination of support services being delivered in this field will be a great development opportunity for me and hopefully have a positive impact on the work I am delivering to the British Table Tennis programme” shares Loxston.

The event itself will see GB athletes Paul Drinkhall, Adam Robertson, Gavin Rumgay, Kelly Sibley, Jo Parker, Liu Na and Naomi Owen compete, giving opportunities to compete against opponents from around the world.

“During the event I will be working closely with coaches and athletes to give them as much information on the opponents they’ll face as possible” explains Loxston.

“Being at such a major event will also give me the opportunity to increase the video  library of matches we have, both of our athletes and of opponents and will allow benchmarking against the worlds best to take place following the event” he adds.

The World Championships will take place between the 28th April and 5th May. For results and updates please visit the England Table Tennis Association website here

Photograph © Getty Images