GB Para Table Tennis Squad of 12 Headed to France Elite Event as World Championships Preparation Steps Up

Great Britain Para Table Tennis has announced a 12-athlete squad for the ITTF World Para Elite Yvelines in France, scheduled for September 12-16, 2026. This event is seen as a crucial final preparation step before the World Para Championships in Thailand this November. Headlining the squad are Will Bayley, the reigning world champion in class 7, and Rob Davies, the reigning European champion in class 1. Both are long-standing pillars of the team. The squad also features experienced players such as Jack Hunter-Spivey, Paul Karabardak, Martin Perry, and Joshua Stacey. Notably, younger athletes Bly Twomey (class 7) and Billy Shilton (class 8) are included, highlighting a strategic focus on developing the next generation. Shaun Marples, Interim Performance Director, stated: 'This is the final opportunity for athletes to get high-quality competitive matches before the World Championships. We had a very productive summer training camp in Sheffield, and now it is time to apply what we learned. The France event will not only improve world rankings but also serve as a critical tactical test.' From a tactical perspective, the choice of the Elite Yvelines event is deliberate. It sits within the ITTF World Para Elite series—while it does not offer the highest points, it is sufficient to adjust rankings and seeding ahead of the Worlds. For a team that has already qualified, prioritizing match practice over pure results is a pragmatic approach adopted by many top nations. However, a hidden risk is the team's heavy reliance on veterans Bayley and Davies. Both are over 30, and para athletes often face higher injury susceptibility. If either suffers an injury in this final preparation phase, the World Championships plan could be severely disrupted. Younger players like Twomey and Shilton need genuine opportunities, not just bench roles, or a generational gap will quietly widen. The summer camp in Sheffield received positive feedback, and data from training sessions show significant improvement in younger athletes' situational awareness and movement. Yet numbers stay silent on the most important part: real-match pressure. Only the France matches will reveal the gap between training and competition. The Elite Yvelines attracts top players from Europe and Asia, offering GB athletes a chance to test themselves against potential World Championships opponents. Billy Shilton's return from an early-year injury is a positive sign for the team's midfield. Ultimately, GB's performance in France will be an early indicator of their World Championships ambitions. If young players step up, the generational gap will close. But if Bayley and Davies continue to carry the burden, questions of squad sustainability will remain.