Para players highly motivated for Italy tournament

Paralympic champions Will Bayley and Rob Davies and world champion Ross Wilson head a strong squad from the British Para Table Tennis Team that will head to Italy next week for the Lignano Master Open (March 14-16), a tournament that marks the start of the sportÔÇÖs qualification period for Tokyo 2020.

After taking a medal at seven consecutive major championships BayleyÔÇÖs defence of his menÔÇÖs class 7 world title last year ended with defeat at the quarter-final stage to the eventual champion Jordi Morales from Spain, a disappointment that has been driving the 31-year-old from Tunbridge Wells throughout the winter.

ÔÇťIÔÇÖm really motivated at the moment,ÔÇŁ he said. ÔÇťLooking back on the World Championships I think I could have done more in my preparation and probably could have had a better season.

“I didnÔÇÖt win that many tournaments last year and I think it is important for my confidence that I can take medals in the smaller tournaments so it builds me up for the majors. I havenÔÇÖt missed a training session since January 2 and that builds my confidence up as well and IÔÇÖm excited to see what I can do in Italy.ÔÇŁ

Davies is also on the comeback trail after a disappointing 2018 season and is focused on trying to win his fourth consecutive menÔÇÖs class 1 European title in Sweden later this year.

ÔÇťLast year is definitely a big motivating factor,ÔÇŁ said the 34-year-old Welshman. ÔÇťI just want to get back to enjoying my table tennis and enjoying the matches again. The overall aim is to qualify for Tokyo and try and defend my title but IÔÇÖve just got to take it one step at a time, not get frustrated and try and get some wins on the board.

“Obviously I want to be fighting fit for the Europeans so I want to get more hours on the table and get back to where I was by the end of the year. It is a building process for me now and it might be frustrating at times but IÔÇÖll get there in the end.ÔÇŁ

By contrast Wilson enjoyed the best year of his career in 2018, winning the Para class 6-10 at the Commonwealth Games and the menÔÇÖs class 8 title at the World Championships. Although the 23-year-old from Minster admits that he is hungry for more titles he is not feeling any pressure going into the new season as a world champion.

ÔÇťIt doesnÔÇÖt feel any different to be going into a new season as world champion,ÔÇŁ he said. ÔÇťIÔÇÖm just focused on Tokyo now and the Europeans. During qualification year for the Paralympics everyone is a bit sharper and everyone wants to qualify so it is going to be a tough year but I am really looking forward to it and seeing what I can do.

“I picked up a minor back injury recently (causing him to miss the PG Mutual National Championships), so I havenÔÇÖt had great training for the last couple of weeks but hopefully IÔÇÖm on the mend now. IÔÇÖve just got to stay positive and keep working towards Italy.ÔÇŁ

Also included in the 16-strong squad for Italy are World Championship medallists Tom Matthews and Fliss Pickard, London and Rio Paralympic medallist Aaron McKibbin, Commonwealth medallists Kim Daybell and Josh Stacey and European medallists David Wetherill, Paul Karabardak, Martin Perry and Ashley Facey Thompson.

ÔÇťThis is a very important year for the team,ÔÇŁ said BPTT Performance Director Gorazd Vecko. ÔÇťThe qualification period for Tokyo finishes at the end of March 2020 and to be sure of qualifying for selection the athletes have to be ranked in the top six of their class.

“They have trained hard through the winter and Italy will be the first opportunity for them to test themselves against some of their toughest competitors and see where they are.ÔÇŁ

The full squad for the Lignano Master Open is:
Will Bayley MBE, 31 years old (menÔÇÖs class 7) ÔÇô Tunbridge Wells (home town)/ Sheffield (lives)
Paul Davies, 52 (menÔÇÖs class 1) ÔÇô North Cornelly
Rob Davies MBE, 34 (menÔÇÖs class 1) ÔÇô Brecon
Kim Daybell, 26 (menÔÇÖs class 10) ÔÇô Sheffield/London
Ashley Facey Thompson, 24 (menÔÇÖs class 9) ÔÇô London (Stratford)/Sheffield
Jack Hunter-Spivey, 23 (menÔÇÖs class 5) ÔÇô Liverpool/Sheffield
Paul Karabardak, 34 (menÔÇÖs class 6) ÔÇô Swansea
Tom Matthews, 26 (menÔÇÖs class 1) ÔÇô Aberdare
Aaron McKibbin, 27 (menÔÇÖs class 8) ÔÇô London (Wandsworth)/Sheffield
Martin Perry, 24 (menÔÇÖs class 6) ÔÇô Paisley/Sheffield
Fliss Pickard, 24 (womenÔÇÖs class 6) ÔÇô Burnley/Sheffield
Megan Shackleton, 19 (womenÔÇÖs class 4) ÔÇô Todmorden/Sheffield
Billy Shilton, 20 (menÔÇÖs class 8) ÔÇô Stonehouse (Gloucestershire)/Sheffield
Josh Stacey, 19, (menÔÇÖs class 9) ÔÇô St Mellons/Sheffield
David Wetherill, 29 (menÔÇÖs class 6) ÔÇô Torpoint
Ross Wilson, 23 (menÔÇÖs class 8) ÔÇô Minster/Sheffield