Martin is the best in Britain
Paisley ace crowned
Paisley para-table tennis ace Martin Perry is the toast of the town having been crowned British champion.
Perry clinched the Class 6 singles title at the BPTT National Championships in Grantham, England, with a stunning performance in the final.
Facing off against European bronze medallist David Wetherill in the final, Perry was rank outsider to take home the gold.
But he prevailed, albeit the hard way, as he secured a 3-2 victory in a thrilling final.
It marked the end of a memorable week for the Paisley player after he was earlier elevated to the British Para Table Tennis Performance squad following an impressive start to the season.
Perry said: “To beat someone like Dave, who is top five in the world, is a fantastic result for me.
“It was a really good match and we both played really good table tennis.
“It means an awful lot to me to be national champion.
“I’ve been Scottish champion a few times and that means a lot to me, but to say that I am British champion as well is a fantastic feeling.”
The 22- year- old was also named player of the tournament in Grantham after catching the eye of the officials.
His run of form coincides with moving to the Team GB training hub in Sheffield.
Moving full- time wi t h professional coaches has seen Perry rub shoulders with some of the best players on the planet, and he revealed that it has helped to spark an improvement in his own game.
Perry added: “I’m really happy with the improvement in my game but I think that comes with being where I am.
“Training in Sheffield full-time with the guys that are there can only bring me on — these guys are Paralympic champions, world champions, European champions and there is a vast amount of experience in the squad.
“It is an amazing place to be.”