ARDROSSAN'S Ryan Henry has returned from his first European Para Youth Games with two medals after a positive weekend for the British table tennis team.
It was a challenging first day for the British squad in Finland, with Shae Thakker (men’s class 10) and Grace Williams (women’s class 6-10) failing to progress from their groups.
However, Henry (men’s class 8), Theo Bishop (men’s class 7) and Joe Crouse (men’s class 9) all made it through to the knockout stages of their respective singles events.
Henry, 22, lost a close first match 3-2 to Stefano Butti from Italy but recovered to win 3-0 against Marcin Mroczka from Poland and 3-0 against Alejandro Diaz Tirado from Spain.
He went on to play Uros Gugolj in the quarter-finals, beating the man from Montenegro 3-0 before losing 3-1 to Pablo Jacobsen from Norway in the semi-final, 12-10 in the fourth.
After claiming the bronze medal in the men’s class 8 singles, Henry said: “I’m very happy to medal at my first European Para Youth Games.
“I had some good performances throughout and had to dig deep in some matches to get the result.”
The following day saw the Three Towns man go one better and pick up a silver medal with teammate Bishop in the men’s class 16 event.
The pair beat Stefano Butti from Italy and Alen Becirevic from Slovenia in the semi-final 2-1, winning both singles after losing the doubles 3-2. They won another close doubles match in the final against Croatia/Spain 11-9 in the fifth, but had to settle for silver when Henry lost 3-2 to Alejandro Diaz Tirado and Bishop was beaten 3-1 by Borna Zohill.
“I’m happy to come home with a silver and a bronze medal,” said Henry, “and I’m pleased with how I played.
"I didn’t play my best but I fought hard on the table to give myself the best chance I could to win.
"I also really enjoyed playing with Theo in the team event and hope to play with him again as I thought we combined well together.”
Cornish player Crouse marked his international debut by taking silver in the men’s class 9 singles, while Williams claimed bronze with her Danish partner Freya Juhl Larsen in the women’s class 6-10.
British Para Table Tennis pathway manager, Shaun Marples, was full of praise for his young squad.
He said: “These Games have been such a great experience for everyone in the team.
“Having a few days to train before competing, being part of an opening ceremony is something these athletes have never experienced before and it is so positive to be here competing.
"There have been some great performances, great spirit and a togetherness which is something we are really proud of.
"Reflecting on some of the losses will drive us all to keep striving to be better, ready for the next tournament.
"I’m proud that the team has won two silver and two bronze medals and we all look forward to being part of the next Games.”
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