Stonehouse table tennis champion Billy Shilton is targeting more success on the world stage when he represents Britain at next month’s 2026 ITTF World Para Table Tennis Championships in Thailand.
The 27-year-old is part of a 12-strong British team travelling to Pattaya for the championships, which take place from November 13 to 19. Shilton will defend his men’s doubles class 14 world title with new partner Martin Perry.
Shilton prepares for singles challenge
Alongside the doubles event, Shilton will compete in the men’s class 8 singles. The Gloucestershire athlete won bronze at last year’s European Championships and believes his recent performances have given him a strong chance of challenging for another medal.
“Training has been really good,” said Shilton. “I love these major championships – they are my favourite events to play so I can’t wait to get out there and compete now.”
He said he had been working to reproduce his best level in training after playing a series of matches in recent months.
“My best level is up there with the best in the world, and I’ve been doing everything I can in training to replicate that level,” he said. “I’ve played a lot of matches in the last few months and had some good results, and I think if I bring my best level, I’ve got a really good chance in the singles.”
New partnership aims to retain title
Shilton is also hoping a year of preparation with Perry can translate into another doubles triumph. He said the pair communicate well and have played strongly together, despite the pressure that comes with defending a world title.
“Martin and I communicate really well – I’m a bit too hard on him at times but in general we’ve put a lot of work in this year and played really well so I’m hoping we can take the confidence from this season and bring it into this tournament where it counts the most.”
The Stonehouse player said he was not dwelling on being the defending champion, pointing instead to the growing strength of the competition and the number of high-quality pairs now involved.
“I’m not really thinking about the fact that I’m defending a title. The level has improved so much and there are more strong pairs, so this year is going to be really difficult,” he said.
Shilton said he and Perry would approach the tournament one match at a time as Britain prepares to face the world’s best players in Pattaya.
“We’ll just take it a match at a time and hopefully we can go all the way.”
