I saw a short article on the IFPA website talking about the overall IFPA Rookie of the year for 2022 and thought it'd be good to briefly pen something for the UK. (Based on IFPA website stats for those playing their first comp in 2022 only)
Hence... Congratulations to James Reed @MajesticPinball - the UK IFPA Rookie of the year for 2022!
Anyone watching James play may find it difficult to believe that 2022 was the first time he ever played in a pinball competition. With a calm and controlled playstyle, James has collected 50.66 WPPRs, leaping to 36th in the UK behind a slew of impressive results - including two 3rd places back to back in two of the competitive weekly PBR competitions. James has been an absolutely key part of the UK pinball community - invaluable at PBR and the UK open and more importantly is a genuinely top bloke all round. The "King of Gottleib" finished his competitive year with an outstanding 8th at the Domino Xmas Extravaganza (from a field of over 40 tough competitors) and can no longer be thought of as a Dark Horse in any tournament he enters.
2nd in the UK RoY standings - Pete Bennett @PAZ. Pete started his pinball competitive career impressively with a trophy straight away in April this year, coming third at the inaugural Pinball Office matchplay tournament. He backed this performance up recently with a strong 7th place finish at the veteran laden Robot Bash in December. With his confidence high, watch out for more from Mr. Bennett in 2023.
Narrowly 3rd - Reece Powell @OTRawrior - Reece has become a PBR regular and has worked hard on his skills this year, improving significantly in the 2nd half of 2022 from being a complete novice. He not only took home his first trophy from Pinhaus in 3rd place, but also made his first PBR playoffs and finished 8th - not an easy achievement.
Before ending this post, I need to make an honourable mention to Alan Budd @Buddinblack. Alan entered his first ever competition at Pinfest 2022, and absolutely crushed it to finish joint 6th overall, (knocking me out in the process) It's clear that Alan has tremendous skills and he is definitely someone to keep an eye on this year if he joins the UK League / Pinfest again.
Hence... Congratulations to James Reed @MajesticPinball - the UK IFPA Rookie of the year for 2022!
Anyone watching James play may find it difficult to believe that 2022 was the first time he ever played in a pinball competition. With a calm and controlled playstyle, James has collected 50.66 WPPRs, leaping to 36th in the UK behind a slew of impressive results - including two 3rd places back to back in two of the competitive weekly PBR competitions. James has been an absolutely key part of the UK pinball community - invaluable at PBR and the UK open and more importantly is a genuinely top bloke all round. The "King of Gottleib" finished his competitive year with an outstanding 8th at the Domino Xmas Extravaganza (from a field of over 40 tough competitors) and can no longer be thought of as a Dark Horse in any tournament he enters.
2nd in the UK RoY standings - Pete Bennett @PAZ. Pete started his pinball competitive career impressively with a trophy straight away in April this year, coming third at the inaugural Pinball Office matchplay tournament. He backed this performance up recently with a strong 7th place finish at the veteran laden Robot Bash in December. With his confidence high, watch out for more from Mr. Bennett in 2023.
Narrowly 3rd - Reece Powell @OTRawrior - Reece has become a PBR regular and has worked hard on his skills this year, improving significantly in the 2nd half of 2022 from being a complete novice. He not only took home his first trophy from Pinhaus in 3rd place, but also made his first PBR playoffs and finished 8th - not an easy achievement.
Before ending this post, I need to make an honourable mention to Alan Budd @Buddinblack. Alan entered his first ever competition at Pinfest 2022, and absolutely crushed it to finish joint 6th overall, (knocking me out in the process) It's clear that Alan has tremendous skills and he is definitely someone to keep an eye on this year if he joins the UK League / Pinfest again.
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Thank you so much for such a lovely write up, I think I was most pleased with being declared the king of Gottlieb though to be honest