At the first BPTT Grand Prix Singles Tournament since November 2019, because of Covid restrictions, the event proved to be a successful one for Simon Heaps as he won a Bronze medal in the Open and a Gold in the Class 4/5 event.
A record entry for a Grand Prix event in Sheffield on 18th September saw many disabled athletes from 10 classes ( 5/wheelchair and 5/standing ) compete at the BPTT Training Centre at the English Institute of Sport.
In the morning Open matches Simon won his group beating GB No 4 Mike Prendergast 3-0 and also the Class 3 winner on the day Andrew Green also 3-0.
He was to suffer one of his two defeats on the day as he lost a very close encounter to Class 4 athlete Lee York, losing 11-8 in the fifth in the semi final winning a Bronze Medal for his efforts. Lee was to lose to GB No 2 Dan Bullen in the Final after already losing to him in his Group.
In the Class 4/5 event there were only 4 competitors as there was a late withdrawal and it was an all play all scenario. Both Simon Heaps, Lee York and Dan Bullen all beat Mike Prendergast. Then in one of the biggest shocks of the day 66 yr old Simon Heaps beat Dan Bullen, World Ranked 45, 3-0 with his first ever victory against his opponent. A subsequent loss by Heaps to Lee York 3-1 meant that the Gold would be decided after the last match of the day between Bullen and York.
Dan Bullen was the victor by 3 games to 1 meaning that a countback was required and it was Simon Heaps who took the Gold and Lee York the Silver medal.
