Simon Heaps delighted with three medals in Jordan

Simon Heaps broke more new ground by winning three medals at an international para tournament for the first time.

Heaps took Men’s Singles silver, plus bronze in both the Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles at the Jordan Para Open in Amman.

Competing in the Class 4-5 category, Heaps won his two singles group matches 3-0 against Meiirbek Otepov of Kazakhstan and Ibrahim Sabra of Jordan.

He then beat Trivendra Singh of India 3-1 (11-2, 11-9, 7-11, 11-6) in the semi-finals and Muntadher Al Sarraji of Iraq 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-7) in the final.

Both doubles were round-robin and, in the Men’s, Heaps & Awadh Alharbi of Kuwait won two and lost two to finish third.

In the Mixed, alongside Alexandra Stepanova of Kazakhstan, they had an identical record of two wins and two defeats to again claim bronze.

Heaps said: “I’m very pleased and proud to have won three medals for the first time in an international para tournament, and very grateful to both my partners.

“I want say a massive thank you to everybody who congratulated me, too many to thank each and every one, but it meant so much to have people from home supporting me, especially as I am the only Great Britain player out here.

“A massive thanks to my coach, Matt Ware, who has spent so much time with me and it is so appreciated.

“Lastly, at the age of 68 and losing both my legs in the last five years, to be able to achieve the things that I have done has kept my mental wellbeing on an even keel, but it would not have been possible without the love and support from Pauline my wife and Charlotte my daughter.”

Heaps also thanked the companies which support him: MACRON, WMS Underfloor Heating, MSC Cruises, Will Stone Gas Plumbing & Heating, Everton Hyundai, The Douglas Bader Foundation and #Dream it, Believe it, Achieve it.

Simon Heaps delighted with three medals in Jordan Table Tennis England.