Billy Shilton looking for more success in Romania

Gloucestershire teenager Billy Shilton, who won his first international gold medal in the men’s class 7 team event in the Slovenia Open last month, and Todmorden’s class 4 athlete Megan Shackleton, at 15 the youngest player in the GB Performance Squad, are among a group of the GB Para Table Tennis Team’s most promising young players competing in the Romania International Open in Cluj from June 12-15.

Shilton, 15, from Stonehouse will be joined by five other members of the GB Pathway Squad including 21-year-old Welshman Thomas Matthews, from Aberdare, who took bronze in the men’s class 1 team event in Slovenia.

The squad is completed by 19-year-old Lucie Bouron (Class 3) from Bracknell, 15-year-old Lawrence John (Class 10) from Swansea, 18-year-old Conor Gordon (Class 9) from Falkirk and 20-year-old Martin Perry (Class 6) from Paisley.

Youngest member of the squad, 15-year-old Megan Shackleton

“These players are already showing great potential for the future,” said GB Performance Director Gorazd Vecko, “and at this stage it is all about gaining more experience at international level. Although Rio 2016 may come too soon for some of these athletes it is important that they have the opportunity to qualify over the next two years.”

By Francesca Bullock (June 9, 2014)