There will be 8 players competing in the PingSkills Classic on the 10th December 2011. The following six players have accepted our invitation and will be joined by 2 extra players who will qualify by competing in the HWATT Classic.
Simon Gerada
Simon Gerada is an Australian Open Champion, Oceania Champion, Olympian and 9 time Victorian Open Champion. He has been one of Australia's best players over the last 12 years and we'd love to have Simon compete at this years PingSkills Invitational Classic.
Simon is a fearless offensive right hander who plays powerful topspins off both wings. Simon's game has evolved over the years and as he is getting older he has relied less on his super quick forehand and depended more on his backhand. This hasn't been a problem for Simon as his backhand is one of the best in the country!
Simon was the winner of the first PingSkills Classic back in August this year.
Learn more about Simon and his Table Tennis journey in this PingPod interview.
Shibaji Datta
Photo (c) Greg Letts
Shibaji Datta is a former member of the Indian National Team which won a gold medal in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He has a balanced game and combines a powerful forehand with an extremely consistent backhand. Shibaji will be out to prove a point after a disappointing show at the previous PingSkills Classic.
Miao Miao
Photo courtesy of the ITTF
Miao Miao has been a regular team member in the Australian Women's team for over a decade. She plays with pimples on both sides of the racket and attacks from close to the table making it very difficult for her opponents. She lost in the final of the first PingSkills Classic to Simon Gerada and is keen to go one better this time.
Learn more about Miao Miao in this interview thanks to pbsmick.
Melissa Tapper
When Melissa Tapper first picked up a Table Tennis bat in the small Victorian town of Hamilton, no one could have predicted the great heights she would quickly rise to. However, it did not take long for the Table Tennis community to realise she was an outstanding talent. Melissa´s primary focus includes playing professional Table Tennis and has won major events including the Hungarian and Italian Open AWD Class 10 championships. Melissa is currently ranked 3rd in the world in this division.
Eric Tan
Eric Tan is a young and upcoming player who is currently ranked inside the top 10 men in Victoria. He uses the penhold grip and employs the reverse penhold backhand with great results. Eric has a never say die attitude and will push his higher ranked opponents in this tournament.
Brian Berry
Photo (c) Greg Letts
Brian Berry is ranked 11th in Victoria and is a legend of Australian Veteran Table Tennis winning a number of National titles. Brian defeated Shibajo Datta at the first PingSkills Classic earlier in the year and will be keen to put in another good performance.
2 spots to be decided by the HWATT Classic tournament
Two spots for the PingSkills Classic will be granted to the winner and runner-up of the HWATT Classic. The HWATT Classic tournament will be held on the 10th December from 10:30am at MSAC.
