Despite the fact that Derren is banned (apparently it’s “not fair on the others” if he competes) – the UK Memory Sports Council are delighted to once again be staging the UK Open Memory Championships in conjunction with the Staunton Memorial Chess Tournament.
Now in its third year, the UK Open Memory Championships promises to be bigger and better than ever with top competitors from across Europe converging on Simpsons-in-the-Strand for a weekend of tough mental combat.
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Surely the techniques that Derren uses as an aide-mémoire will be the same as for a number of other participants? If so, how can they ban him for being ‘unfair to other participants?’
if he’s banned, that means he’s already won without even having to compete, eh?
hahah. is there anything that derren isn’t banned from? someone should definitely compile a list of everything he’s too awesome at!
ooh taking out the competition are they, whats the point in that?! im sure Derren has better things to do that day any way?!
also that elephant only has 3 legs..even i can remember that they have 4…
@veronica: – LMAO.
I don’t get that. Do they think Derren is gonna cheat and find a way to recall them using misdirection/sleight/suggestion or something?
I’m pretty sure he only saves the cheating for illusion performances
If there was a ‘forget stuff’ championship, I’d probably win were it not for the fact I’d forget to turn up.
I’m sure Derren has better things to do on that day anyway
Somehow, I´m sure Derren will enter incognito
Never heard of those championships before I have to say. Checked what stuff they need to remember (I thought it probably would not be as in the game memory …). Must be great fun for the participants. Reminds me slightly of a few game shows on tv, although memorizing numbers and such will normally not be in these shows .. not entertaining enough I guess. Although the participants in this championship are way better at it I guess.
I think Derren said he was banned from casinos as well for using the memory palace technique to help him win at blackjack. Seems a bit unfair…
Im sure he hasnt been banned and its just a joke to add to his aura. Usain Bolt and Tiger Woods arent banned from competitions. I dont think he would win anyway.
Did they really say he was banned? Can you provide us the link sir?
I am sure there is no basis to this statement -
“Despite the fact that Derren is banned (apparently it’s “not fair on the others” if he competes)”
Derren would be more than welcome to compete, however, given the results of this years competition, I doubt Derren would even finish in the top 10! (http://www.worldmemorychampionship.com/latest_news.asp)
Why doesn’t he train someone to compete in it?
I didn’t believe Derren is “banned” from the competition, so I sent and email off to Phil Chambers from The World Memory Sports Council. Here’s the reply I got back.
—–
Hello David,
I’m sorry but Derren is banned after his last visit, several of the competitors complained they had no recollection of who they are or where they were and we all ended up in a pub, eating egg sandwiches 11 miles from the venue.
What was your question again?
Phil Chambers
(Chief Arbiter, The World Memory Sports Council)
The Governing Body for the Sport of Memory
http://www.worldmemorychampionships.com
phil@worldmemorychampionships.com
LOL! At David’s post
Now that’s classic
Even if it’s not genuine, still bloody funny
Who knows what to believe anymore!
While I appreciate the creative (and funny) editing of my previous post, that’s not quite the reply back I got
Feel free to email Phil himself if you are curious if Derren is banned from the competition.
Perhaps he’s banned because they ar afraid people will mistake him for Florian Dellé? … well, i think they are similar…
https://twitter.com/Flauwy
Derren is NOT banned.
We would be delighted to see him compete.
Visit
http://www.worldmemorychampionships.com/registration_form_2009.asp
and sign up if you dare!
Phil Chambers
(Chief Arbiter, The World Memory Sports Council)