IPSWICH teenager Chris Bullard is today preparing to take on the world. The 19-year-old, of Wilding Road, is the current world champion of a popular football computer game, as revealed in The Evening Star in December.

IPSWICH teenager Chris Bullard is today preparing to take on the world.

The 19-year-old, of Wilding Road, is the current world champion of a popular football computer game, as revealed in The Evening Star in December.

But in October he will be heading to Monza, Italy for the World Cyber Games (WCG) during which he will compete in the FIFA '06 category against players from 70 countries.

Competition is expected to be fierce as the best gamers in the world fight it out.

It has not been an easy journey as he has had to switch from the XBox console to playing on a PC in order to be eligible for the event.

He had also been playing two different football computer games since winning the competition last year.

Mr Bullard said: “It was difficult going back. I can use an XBox controller on a PC but there are some differences.”

Despite his success, he said he is still learning as he trains.

His place in the grand final of this global tournament was won in Newbury, Berkshire over the August bank holiday weekend where he became the top FIFA '06 player in the country.

As the winner he was awarded a widescreen TV, an XBox 360 (he now has three) and an MP3 player.

Mr Bullard is looking forward to competing against some of the best gamers in the world.

He said: “I'm really up for it.

“It will be a chance to catch up with people I played against in the World Cup. I just want to have a good time.”

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Website: www.worldcybergames.com

The World Cyber Games (WCG) will take place from October 18 to 22

Gamers compete in eight different categories: FIFA '06, Half Life, Need for Speed, StarCraft, WarCraft, Dawn of War, Dead or Alive and Project Gotham Racing

Last year the UK finished 18th overall

More than 700 gamers from more than 70 different countries compete

2006 is the first year the games have been held in Europe

The WCG has its own theme song which you can hear on their website.