TORPOINT table tennis star David Wetherill says he is aiming for a medal at the upcoming European Championships later this month.

The 23-year-old Team GB Paralympian has set his sights on a top three ranking at the competition in Italy.

Having reached the semi-finals in the European Championships of 2011, David is targeting a medal this time , with Rio 2016 his long-term aim. Currently ranked world number six in his sport, David made his international debut in 2005 and represented Paralympics GB in Beijing 2008 and London 2012. His spectacular diving shot against his German opponent in 2012 became a YouTube sensation.

David began playing table tennis at the age of 10 at his local club in Crafthole – where his dad coached – and immediately fell in love with the speed and intensity of the game.

'Table tennis is a sport that I've loved ever since I first picked up a bat. I was always trying beat my dad and my brother – eventually I got there, and they haven't beaten me since!' joked David.

Opportunity

The sport has enabled David to overcome some of the physical problems caused by the congenital bone condition he was born with, which affects his bone growth.

'The main thing is that it has given me such a great opportunity to achieve something massive in life – without this, the tough times would have been a lot harder for sure,' he said.