STONEHOUSE table tennis star Billy Shilton is one of 11 British Para Table Tennis players competing in the Japan Open next week (August 1-3) hoping to improve their chances of qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
The 20-year-old is looking to build on a brilliant performance in the Polish Open in May when he took silver in the men’s class 8 singles and then combined with Aaron McKibbin to take gold in the men’s class 8 team event.
“I’m really excited to be heading to Japan as it’s a country I haven’t been to before and I feel really honoured to be playing there,” said Shilton. “Playing in the city where the Paralympic Games will be held in a year’s time gives me an extra motivation to perform well as I want to be there in 2020.
“I feel like everything is going in the right direction; I feel like I’ve made more improvements since Poland and I’m really excited to compete again.”
Shilton will also compete in the men’s class 8 team event in Japan with McKibbin and World champion Ross Wilson.
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