LONDON KNIGHTS. A team with an illustrious history in the GCL circuit.
The reigning GCL Super Cup Champions head into the 2022 season with an exciting new lineup of riders from across the globe.
The reigning GCL Super Cup Champions head into the 2022 season with an exciting new lineup of riders from across the globe. They bring Abdel Saïd (BEL), Tobias Meyer (DE), Laura Klaphake (DE), Kamal Bahamdan (KSA), Hans-Dieter Dreher (DE) and U25 talent Mike Kawai (JPN) to the new season, with the team intent on building on their success from Prague, as well as in the season Championship from 2018 and 2019, in this new year.
The reigning GCL Super Cup Champions head into the 2022 season with an exciting new lineup of riders from across the globe. They bring Abdel Saïd (BEL), Tobias Meyer (DE), Laura Klaphake (DE), Kamal Bahamdan (KSA), Hans-Dieter Dreher (DE) and U25 talent Mike Kawai (JPN) to the new season, with the team intent on building on their success from Prague, as well as in the season Championship from 2018 and 2019, in this new year.
Abdel Saïd: Competing for Belgium: From Alexandria: Age 32: Abdel has been a strong performer for Cannes Stars and Rome Gladiators since joining the GCL circuit in 2017, but this year, makes the move to London Knights. The Knights have an all-new lineup for the 2022 season, and Abdel will be looking for a good start alongside his teammates Tobias Meyer, Laura Klaphake, Kamal Bahamdan, Hans-Dieter Dreher and Mike Kawai in the early stages of the year.
Tobias Meyer: Competing for Germany: Age 33: Tobias joins London Knights for the 2022 season, alongside an all new team. The Knights will be looking to capitalise on their incredible performance in winning the 2021 GCL Super Cup, and have a strong start to 2022.
Laura Klaphake: Competing for Germany: Age 28: After competing for three seasons on the St Tropez Pirates team, Laura Klaphake switched to the Cannes Stars in 2020, and the Berlin Eagles in 2021. The young talent now rides for London Knights in 2022, and has a string of top horses that will suit all the different arenas in the League.
Kamal Bahamdam: Competing for Saudi Arabia: Age 52: Riding since the age of seven, Kamal took further riding lessons in the United Kingdom every summer, and then started competing in local equestrian events, often against compatriots Ramzy Al-Duhami and Khaled Al-Eid. Whilst studying then working in finance in the United States he competed on the East Coast circuit, where he came to the attention of Ziyad Abduljawad, now managing director of Saudi Equestrian. In 2004, he moved his riding base to Valkenswaard, Netherlands, making his international competition debut in the same year.
In 2022 he makes his debut on the GCL circuit riding for London Knights alongside a strong lineup of exciting talent. The Knights are one of the most successful teams so far, winning consecutive season championships as well as the GCL Super Cup in 2021, and they will be looking to continue their winning streak into 2022.
Hans-Dieter Dreher: Competing for Germany: From Rheinfelden: Age 50: After becoming a GCL team rider for the first time in 2019 with New York Empire, where he finished on the podium for the first competition of the season in Doha 2019, Hans made the switch to the Cannes Stars team in 2021. In 2022 he joins London Knights, a team with an illustrious history in the GCL circuit and who are sure to be keen to get off to strong start in the early stages of the season.
Mike Kawai: Competing for Japan: Age 23: U25 rider Mike has been a regular face on the GCL circuit for several years, having ridden for Doha Falcons. He won his first ranking class in 2018 during Global Champions Prague Playoffs, and his career has gone from strength to strength under the guidance of Jan Tops. In 2022, he joins London Knights and the young talent is sure to make his mark for this hugely successful team.
