Carl Prean

Carl Lustig Prean (born 20 August 1967 in Ryde, Isle of Wight) is a former international table tennis player. He competed at the three Olympic Games.

Table tennis career He is former England senior no.1 table tennis player, a feat he first achieved when he was only 15. He is a three time English Men's Champion and won the European Youth Championships (Under 17 age group) in 1985 and (Under 14) in 1982. He is a winner of both the prestigious Belgian and Brazilian Opens, and represented Great Britain at three Olympics (Seoul, Barcelona and Atlanta).

At the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, Prean progressed from his group in first place following victories against Baboor (India), Casares (ESP) and Choi (PRK). In the last 16, Prean faced eventual winner Jan-Ove Waldner losing out 3 sets to nil.

Prean was known for his unorthodox style using combination bats and his strong forehand topspin.

He spent the majority of his career playing professionally in the German Bundesliga.

Material and playing style Prean was sponsored by Juic. So he played a juic offensive blade with a driva smash rubber 2,5 mm on the forehand and a juic leggy long pimples rubber 1,5 mm on the backhand. He turned the bat while playing and so changes speed and spin of the ball suddenly. On passive returns he smashed with his very good forehand and controlled the match.