Bayley and Davies lead GB squad to France as World Championships preparation steps up

The Great Britain Para Table Tennis team has announced a 12-player squad to compete in the ITTF World Para Elite in Yvelines, France, from September 12-16. This is a crucial final preparation step ahead of the World Para Championships in Thailand in November. The squad features top names including Will Bayley (world champion in class 7 singles) and Rob Davies (European champion in class 1), alongside promising talents such as Bly Twomey (class 7) and Billy Shilton (class 8). According to Interim Performance Director Shaun Marples, the France event is the last opportunity for athletes to gain competitive experience, improve rankings and seeding before the World Championships. "We had a very positive training camp in Sheffield. Now it's time for athletes to play real matches, test tactics and build momentum," Marples said. The team has already qualified for the World Championships, so France is not a qualification event but a seeding optimizer. Among the 12, Will Bayley (33) is expected to continue his dominance in class 7. He won Paralympic gold in Rio 2026 and numerous major titles. Rob Davies (37) is the pillar in class 1, having won European gold in 2026. Alongside veterans, young talents like Bly Twomey (16) – a promising female class 7 player, and Billy Shilton (24) – European class 8 silver medalist, show Table Tennis England's long-term development strategy. The Elite event in France brings together many strong players from Europe and the world. Although no detailed opponent information is available, experts consider it a high-level tournament that helps athletes adapt to international pressure and fine-tune tactics. Matches will be held at Pierre de Coubertin Stadium, Paris. The interim coaching staff has designed tailored plans for each athlete, covering technique, fitness, and psychology. Some athletes will also play doubles to improve coordination. Marples emphasized: "We aim not only for medals but also to build the team for the future. Young players need to gain experience from such tournaments." Regarding injuries, no major issues were reported during the training camp. However, para athletes inherently face higher injury risks. The coaching team has contingency plans if replacements are needed. The World Championships in Thailand in November is the team's main goal. Results in France will be an important form indicator. Good performances will improve rankings and seedings for the World Championships. With thorough preparation, the GB Para team targets at least 3-4 medals at the Worlds, with Bayley and Davies as top contenders. Fans hope for the rise of a new generation, opening a new era for British para table tennis. This article is based on information from Table Tennis England and in-depth analysis. Updated regularly at VuaBong.vn.