BURGEONING table tennis star Billy Shilton is looking to start his international campaign this year with a good performance this week at the Hungarian Open (March 13-15) before heading to Italy for the first factor 40 tournament of the season, the Lignano Master Open (March 19-21).

With next year's Paralympic Games firmly on the horizon this is an important year for the Stonehouse athlete and the rest of the GB team as the qualification period for Rio finishes at the end of 2015.

"I've been training hard and travelling to as many able bodied competitions as I can just to prepare for this year," said Shilton.

"I'm playing quite well at the moment so I'm looking forward to the tournaments coming up. I've been trying to improve my movement and power - hitting the ball a bit harder and getting to more balls than I used to and that helps a lot in playing matches."

Having won his first singles medal in Spain and finished last season with a second team gold medal at the Cote d'Azur International in France he is hoping for more medals this season and a rise up the world rankings from his current position of 25.

"Winning gold in France has made me more confident and I believe in myself more now," said Shilton.

"I know I can do it and I just need to work hard and hopefully my form from France can continue into this year. I want to try and win another singles medal and get out of my group in a factor 40 as I haven't done that yet. I also want to compete in the Europeans in October which would be my first major championships."

The 16-year-old Maidenhill School pupil will sit his GCSEs this summer.

"The school is helping me a lot with extra work - I'm looking to go to college in September, so exams are important."

Although 2016 may come too soon for the talented teenager he is still hoping to make the team for Rio and is warming up for Hungary with a visit to Piracicaba in Brazil this weekend to take on fellow class 7 player Paulo Salmin in a match that will be shown live on national Brazilan television.

"My main goal is to try and qualify for Rio," he said.

"Although it will be difficult with my GCSEs I think it is a realistic target. I'm really excited to be going to Brazil - I've never been before and it will be a great experience."