Mike Hopkins - Current World Number One

"If your fellow players don't respect you it means nothing"

Mike Hopkins, World Number One. If you had uttered this sentence in 2011 you would have been labelled a dreamer, mad or simply unbalanced. Hopkins ended 2011 in 8th and was labelled as having 'a rubbish throw' and of being 'no concern' to the top pro's by Balance Boy B. Martin (http://extremeboules.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/sw19-balance-boys-triumph.html)

Fast  forward to 2012 and Hopkins sits with the most impressive stats in the league. Having defeated 77% of opponents with a win ratio of 55.6% Hopkins is showing the type of form that made Woolridge world champ in 2011 (see stats below). How's he done it? Intense training programme? Has the magic rubbed off of fellow London boulers Woolridge and Martin? Has he sold his soul at the crossroads in Llandovery? Or exchange a delicious loaf for his boule abilities with a certain lady in a certain lake  (http://www.myddfai.com/lady-of-llyn.aspx)? Who knows - all that is certain is that Hopkins is the hottest thing in Extreme Boule right now. Sit back and enjoy this interview with the man himself....

Q1: How has your life changed since you hit that number one spot?

A: Not massively, I've tried to keep a low profile and stay focused on what matters, holding onto the top spot. It's easy to get distracted with the fame, celebrity parties and yes the groupies, but I know that there is always someone out there trainin' real hard so they can take my place, I've seen Rocky 3 and I don't want to get Clubber Lang'd.

Q2: You're from the same Extreme Boule London scene that spawned the titans Woolridge and Martin. What have you got to say to you're old rivals, who seem to be struggling in 2012?

A: They got cocky, simple as that, it was all about the dollar bill for them and the title went to their heads.

"You can only be chmapion if you are at peace with yourself"

Q3: When playing boule, in terms of percentage, how much is your play Physical, Mental and Spiritual?

A: You need to be in peak physical fitness, and hand eye co-ordination is paramount to accuracy on the extreme boule field (a few ales can help this), but if you're not well mentally (and some Boule players on the circuit really are not) no amount of practice, natural talent and skill is going to help you. You can only be a true Boule champion if you are at peace with yourself. So to answer your question I would say 32%, 35%, 33%.

Q4: You're well known for your accuracy of shot. Do you visualise mythical animals during your targetting of the jack?

A: I don't understand the question.

Q5: Mike Hopkins, the Gentleman of Extreme Boule. Discuss.

A: It's a nice accolade to be sure. Out there it's tempting to use any tactics possible to get the win, but if your fellow players don't respect you it means nothing.

Q6: Finally are there any special moves you've got up your sleeve to retain that Number One spot?

A: My trainer and I have been working hard and I'll be ready to defend the title next time anyone wants to challenge it, but that's all I can say for now.

"I'll be ready to defend the title"

Inside the Stats

                                            Darren Woolridge 2011                       Mike Hopkins 2012

Win Ratio:                                          54.5%                                               55.6%

% of opponents defeated:               84.4%                                               76.7%

% of points taken in a game:           47.5%                                               27.9%

As everyone knows  statistics never lie - Hopkins 2012 version is matching the 2011 World Champs stats in terms of matches won and opponents defeated. However it is clear Hopkins has yet to learn how to annilate opponents and take most of the games points as Woolridge did so often in 2011.