Awards joy at the double for Martin

He hits top form in Italy

Martin Perry made it success at the double this week after bagging a bronze and a national award.

However, the Paisley para table- tennis star admitted he still came away disappointed having not been able to clinch even more silverware.

The Great Britain international was in action at the Italian Open as part of a GB side with European team champions Paul Karabardak and David Wetherill.

But it proved to be a difficult weekend for the side as they lost 2-1 in the semi-finals to the German combination of Thomas Rau and Tim Laue. The trio had been in great form to make their way through the group stages with 2-0 wins coming against Israel and a combined team from Switzerland and Japan.

But Perry conceded that he went in to the tournament believing that the side would come away with something better to show for their efforts other than a bronze medal.

He said: “Taking bronze in team was slightly disappointing for us.

“But we worked hard as a team and gave everything. It is good to see where we are at this early in the season. I feel that my game is coming along nicely and I’ve had two five set matches against the numbers 10 and 11 in the world.

“I was disappointed not to progress from my group in the singles – I can see where I need to improve in order to be at the level I want and I was fighting hard in every match so I can take a lot of pride from that.”

However, the side’s performance director, Gorazd Vecko, insisted he was happy with his team after their first competition of the season.

He said: “There is a lot to work on but there were some very good performances and we are on track for the World Championships.”

Meanwhile, at a glitzy bash in Edinburgh, Perry was crowned Parasport Personality of the Year.

Perry was unable to collect the award as he was still out of the country with the GB team, but appeared on video link to thank the panel at the Nordoff Robbins Scottish Sporting Awards.