Para-table tennis player Billy Shilton said work to improve his game has "showed" this season, as he heads to the Paralympics hoping to win another medal.
Shilton won bronze in Tokyo in the men’s class 8 team event three years ago after being selected for his first Games as a wildcard. Yet the 25-year-old qualified for the Paris Games this spring with two gold-medal victories and another six medals this season, and is also the current world champion in the class 14 doubles.
"Every day I'm trying to do everything I can to improve and I think it's definitely showed this season," Shilton told BBC Radio Gloucestershire. "The last couple of years were tough for me, I wasn't finding the level that I was training in matches and I found that quite difficult, but I stuck to the game plan and everything's started to come into motion now."
Paralympic Journey
Shilton from Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, reached the quarter-finals of the singles events in Tokyo on his last Paralympics outing and has also won multiple European medals during his career. This year he has taken singles gold at the Costa Brava Spanish Open and gold in the men's class 14 doubles at the Czech Open. He also collected two silvers in the US Open and four more bronze medals before his Paralympics campaign begins on 29 August.
The team event in which he won bronze in Tokyo has been replaced with the doubles classification in Paris, an event where Shilton won the world title alongside Paul Karabardak in November 2022. The tournament was the duo's second together and Shilton believes things have only got better since. They are seeded fifth in Paris.
"We've played two, three years together as a pair and we're going from strength to strength, every tournament we're improving," Shilton said. "I've been working hard the last three years after Tokyo. I sat down with my coaches and we laid out the position I needed to be in a few months before Paris and I think that's paid off."
Doubles Partnership
Shilton and Karabardak's partnership has blossomed since their first tournament together, with Shilton highlighting the dedication and improvement they have shown as a team. He expresses his confidence in their ability to win a medal in Paris, emphasizing the strong bond and shared goals that drive their success. The duo's left-handed and right-handed combination provides a strategic advantage, allowing them to set each other up for successful shots and navigate the court with ease.
Reaching for Singles Glory
While Shilton's focus is on doubles success in Paris, he also has his sights set on achieving a medal in the singles competition. He acknowledges the high level of competition and his current ranking of sixth, but remains optimistic about his chances. Shilton's recent successes, including winning singles gold at the Costa Brava Spanish Open, have boosted his confidence and demonstrated his ability to compete with the best.
A Family Affair
Shilton's journey into table tennis was sparked by a need to find a new passion after his Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) began to deteriorate. What started as a way to adapt has blossomed into a love for the sport, a love he shares with his family. His father and two brothers now all play table tennis, creating a strong family bond that extends beyond the boundaries of their home. Shilton’s story demonstrates how a disability can become a catalyst for finding new passions and opportunities. He embraces his condition and channels it into his pursuit of athletic excellence.
Embracing the Paralympics Stage
The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris mark Shilton’s second Paralympic experience, but in many ways, it will feel like his first. This time, the games will be filled with the energy and support of a live audience, a stark contrast to the subdued atmosphere of Tokyo 2020. Shilton is excited to compete in front of a cheering crowd, his family, and his fellow team members, knowing their support will fuel his determination. He views the Paralympics as a celebration of athleticism and diversity, and he is eager to share that experience with the world.
