Shilton Seeks Paralympic Glory in Paris with Doubles Partner
Para-table tennis player Billy Shilton, from Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, is aiming high at the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris, having witnessed significant improvements in his game since his last outing in Tokyo.
Shilton, a seasoned competitor with multiple European medals to his name, reached the quarter-finals of the singles event in Tokyo and has continued to rack up impressive results on the international circuit. He secured singles gold at the Costa Brava Spanish Open and doubles gold at the Czech Open in the men's class 14 division. Further success came at the US Open with two silver medals and four bronze medals before the Paralympics.
The team event, in which Shilton won bronze in Tokyo, has been replaced with a doubles classification in Paris. This is a format where Shilton excels, having won the world title alongside Paul Karabardak in November 2022. This was the duo's second tournament together, and Shilton believes their partnership has gone from strength to strength. "We've been playing together for two or three years now, and we're constantly improving with every tournament," said Shilton. "We've been working hard since Tokyo, and I'm confident that the preparation we put in is paying off."
The fifth-seeded pairing are looking to build on their strong form in Paris. Shilton's journey to the Paralympics began in a local club, where he discovered table tennis as an alternative to football following the onset of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), an inherited condition affecting the nerves outside the brain and spine. His passion for the sport has since rubbed off on his father and two brothers, who all now compete.
"I wasn't a huge fan of table tennis at the time," admits Shilton, "football was my passion when I was younger. But my condition deteriorated, and I needed to find something else. Since then, I've absolutely loved it."
With his strong form and unwavering determination, Shilton will be looking to make a significant impact in Paris, aiming for a medal in the doubles event alongside his long-term partner. His journey is an inspiring testament to the power of adapting to new challenges and embracing new opportunities, proving that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
