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.”
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