Milford para table tennis star Simon Heaps looks ahead to Euro and world contests

MILFORD’S self-funded para table tennis star Simon Heaps has reflected on a highly successful year while turning his eyes on the next 12 months.

Heaps (67) who has featured for GB and England, started the previous year – New Year’s Day – in the hospital which resulted in his left leg being amputated as he became a member of the bilateral amputee club.

Since then, he has been in tremendous form, collecting para-international medals while putting together an undefeated season for table-topping Hamburg Club in the German Bundesliga.

Heaps won all 28 matches while beating an Olympic bronze medallist in front of TV cameras to seal the championship trophy.

The Milford man’s progress is reflected in his improved rankings.

He started the year as the third-best Great British and 46th-ranked player in his class before climbing to the number two spot and rising 17 places to world number 29.

Heaps first represented England as a 14-year-old but, after losing his legs to diabetes, he transitioned to the para ranks, making his Great Britain debut at 64.

After starting his para-international career without medalling in his first four events, Heaps went on a hugely impressive run, securing three golds, three silvers and four bronzes.

The run started with Heaps making the singles quarter-final at the Jordan Para Open before taking the men’s doubles bronze.

In June, he did even better, taking singles silver and gold in mixed doubles at the Mexican Para Open before becoming European Veterans (over-40s) Para Wheelchair champion in Rimini, Italy.

Silver in Argentina, bronze in Greece and double bronze in Brazil singles and men’s doubles then preceded the season’s final open, the Copa Costa Rica Para Open, where he took singles silver and men’s doubles gold.

Heaps said: “I am now firmly established as Great Britain’s number two in my class and moved up to 29th in the world after the latest world ranking list came out; a rise of 17 places is a fantastic feat in a calendar year and one that I have worked very hard to achieve since losing my second leg.

“This year is massive if I can compete, as the European Para Table Tennis Championships are being held in Sheffield in September, and the International Wheelchair Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Games are being held in Thailand in December.

“I am currently the 12th highest ranked player in Europe, so I’m very hopeful of being selected by Great Britain and would look to be one of the favourites to be crowned world champion at the IWAS World Games in Thailand.”

Competing is an expensive business, and Heaps’ international career is entirely self-funded, with GB team members even needing to buy their kit.

Heaps added: “I anticipate that I will have spent approaching £20,000 during 2022. I have no corporate sponsor and rely solely on my fundraising, which includes charitable donations, raffles and draws, small sponsorship agreements and donations.

“The season recommences in February, and I have just about enough funds in my account to compete in the first couple of events.”

Local businesses interested in sponsoring Heaps should contact simon@simonheaps.com – alternatively, visit his fundraising page at gofund.me/fe36ad37