by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Furthermore with notably players from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Germany, France, Sweden, Belgium and Austria competing, the number of international participants has almost doubled.

It will prove a major challenge for the 35 Bulgarian players who are led by Teodor Alexandrov and Krasimira Yovkova, the respective reigning Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles World champions.

Also on duty is Kiril Popov, the sensational quarter-finalist one year ago.

Asarel Medet

Sponsored by “Asarel Medet”, the most important and biggest industrial enterprise in the region, as last year, the Organising Committee will work in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Bulgarian Table Tennis Federation, the Municipality of Panagyurishte and “Asarel Medet”.

Proceedings are organised under the leadership of the “Asarel Bulgaria Open” Association, chaired by Ivan Alexandrov alongside Dr. Lachezar Tsotsorkov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Asarel.

Equipment

The Chinese company Double Fish will be the official table supplier with the prize fund being US$80,000 is the highest in the world for a tournament of the Major Series tournament and the second largest in Europe.

Germany, a Super Series tournament, is the highest.