Wandsworth's Knight on Olympic short list (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Wandsworth's Knight on Olympic short list

5:55pm Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Olympics

Wandsworth table tennis star Darius Knight has passed the first hurdle in his quest to represent Great Britain at the London Olympics.

With six months to go until the Opening Ceremony, the 21-year-old was this week named on a six-man short list for the Team GB table tennis squad by the English Table Tennis Association.

With only three places available for British athletes at the Games though, British number three Knight faces a big fight against Andrew Baggaley, Paul Drinkhall, Liam Pitchford, Danny Reed and Gavin Rumgay to compete for GB.

“For me its everything," said Knight.

"It's the start of my career and there is nothing better than kicking it off in your own back garden.

"And this is a great chance to show people from the UK how table tennis is played as it’s considered as a low sport.

"I will be 22 and in table tennis terms that’s quite young as the older players can play until they are 50 depending on how fit they are and if they stay injury free."