Paris 2024 Flash Quotes: Para Table Tennis

Comments from ParalympicsGB table tennis players following this morning’s session.

Billy Shilton, 25, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire and Paul Karabardak, 38, Swansea, earned a bronze medal after losing their MD14 semi-final 11-9, 11-9, 11-7 to Thailand’s number one seeds.

Billy Shilton

Sport: Para table tennis

Age: 25

Hometown: Stonehouse, Gloucestershire

“Yeah I think we got to 9-7 in both of the first two sets and we played really well up until that point. There was just a few balls at the end and we were a little inconsistent in patches but I’m proud of myself, I’m proud of Paul and I think we can be happy, when we look back in a couple of days when it all settles we’ll be happy we won a bronze for sure.

“I’m a bit emotional with the match but I’m unbelievably happy that Paul and I managed to win a bronze. I’ve been thinking about feeling that feeling again of winning a medal since Tokyo and it’s a special thing so I’m absolutely delighted I can do it with Paul.”

Paul Karabardak

Sport: Para table tennis

Age: 38

Hometown: Swansea

“I think when we were leading we could have been a bit more positive. Had we taken one of those first two sets it might have been a different game. But you could say that the other way against Brazil [in the quarter-finals], that’s sport and we have to give them credit for taking their opportunities.

“It is disappointing but we played superbly against Brazil, we’ve done really well and we can be pleased with that bronze. It’s a great achievement for me and Billy.”