Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Ben Ramage

Paisley star Martin Perry seals incredible World Championship bronze medal

Martin Perry insists his stunning World Championship bronze medal feels like a gold after the Paisley star turned his wild card into a podium finish.

The para table tennis ace enjoyed a memorable debut at the sport’s showpiece event in Spain, beating former PanAmerican champion Cristian Dettoni in an epic quarter-final clash to guarantee a medal.

Having dropped the first set, Perry edged the second 14-12 and then recovered from 7-2 down in the third to take it 11-7.

He led 6-2 in the fourth, but the World number nine from Chile battled back to level at 8-8 and had a point to take it into a deciding set. Perry held firm though to clinch the set 12-10 and the match 3-1.

Already assured of a medal, the Paisley talent took on Matteo Parenzan in the semi-final.

The Italian beat Perry in the Greek Open final a few weeks ago, and the 19-year-old World number four was at his best once again to defeat Perry 3-0.

Nevertheless, a delighted Perry said: “Obviously I’m gutted to have lost the semi-final, but at the same time I’m so incredibly happy and proud to have got a bronze medal at my first World Championships.

“I’ve had some tough matches here and to come through them in the fashion that I did, showing fighting spirit which I always do, was great.

“On paper I shouldn’t have been here because I didn’t qualify, but I was lucky enough to get a wild card because the organising committee and the ITTF believed in me.

“To come away with a bronze is the best feeling ever. I’ve also been made aware that I am now Scotland’s most successful male table tennis player.

“To represent Great Britain and Scotland at the highest level makes me very proud.

“To me, this bronze medal is a gold.”

READ MORE:

Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.