Last Updated on 06/09/2024 by Crip Life
Martin Perry, a British table tennis World and European medalist, will be one of three table tennis debutants set to compete in his first Paralympic Games in Paris this August.
As part of our ParalympicsGB debutants interview series, our editor, Emma Purcell, speaks to Martin Perry about how he became a table tennis player, his sporting success so far and what he is most looking forward to at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The youngest of four brothers Martin Perry has always had a passion for sport despite being born without either forearm or the bottom part of his left leg. He played many sports including football, basketball, rugby and hockey before being introduced to table tennis at a Scottish Disability Sport summer camp where he met the person who was to have a huge influence on his sporting career, Terry McLernon MBE.
Martin joined the BPTT Pathway programme in 2013 and having missed out on qualification for the Paralympic Games in 2016 he won his first international title at the US Open later that year. He was part of the team that won gold in the men’s class 6 team event at the European Championships in 2017 and went on to retain the title in 2019.
In 2019 he set up a crowdfunding account to help him compete in as many tournaments as possible in his bid to qualify for Tokyo in 2020 but his Paralympic dream was shattered when he lost a five-set quarterfinal to the Japanese player Kazuki Shichino at the final World Qualification Tournament.
In 2022 having narrowly missed out on automatic qualification for the World Championships he received a wild card to compete in Spain and made the most of the opportunity by taking bronze in the men’s class 6 singles – his first major singles medal – a performance that saw him break into the world’s top 10 for the first time.
Martin consolidated that result with another great performance at the European Championships in Sheffield in 2023, taking bronze in the men’s class 6 singles as well as bronze in the men’s class 14 doubles with Aaron McKibbin.
Martin started 2024 by taking silver in the US Open and secured qualification for his first Paralympic Games in Paris with further singles medals in Italy, Spain and Poland.
Through his involvement as a volunteer with Drumchapel TT Club, which provides table tennis classes for young people from an area of multiple social deprivations, including those with disabilities, Martin was selected to take part in BBC TV programme The One Show’s 700-mile Rickshaw Challenge in 2013 to raise money for Children in Need.
In December 2023 Martin had further cause for celebration when his wife Siobhain gave birth to their daughter Beira.
A natural with the media Martin started a new venture in lockdown – PerryPOD – as well as a PRINCE 2 project management course and is also an eloquent and gifted public speaker.
At his first Paralympic Games in Paris, Martin Perry will be competing in the men’s class 6 singles and men’s class 14 doubles with Rio 2016 Paralympic Champion and current world and European Champion Will Bayley.
Martin will be joining two other debutants – World doubles champion and European medallist Fliss Pickard and 14-year-old European medallist Bly Twomey.
The team is completed by Paralympic gold medallist Rob Davies, Tokyo medallists Paul Karabardak, Aaron McKibbin, Megan Shackleton, Billy Shilton and Tom Matthews, and Commonwealth champion and World silver medallist Joshua Stacey.
Read on to find out more about Martin Perry in his own words and scroll down to see his Paris 2024 results.
Martin Perry on living with limb differences
What is your life like living with a disability?
I feel very fortunate to be born with my disability because I have not had to go through anything traumatic – illness or injury – or anything like that. I definitely feel there is a sense of gratitude towards the fact I was born like this.
It’s definitely made life a lot easier because I’ve not known anything different. It shaped who I am today. It’s something that I genuinely feel very grateful I was born this way and it’s opened up a world of experiences that I don’t think I would have had if I had been born able-bodied.
As someone with limb differences, what adaptations do you use on a daily basis?
In my day-to-day life, the only adaptation that I use is, what I like to call, my walking leg and then I also have another prosthetic leg I use for table tennis.
My walking leg is quite basic in terms of how they come. It has a knee joint followed by a small shin tube and a carbon fibre foot on the bottom. It allows me to walk around and do everyday things.
My table tennis prosthetic is really cool and looks awesome. It’s not too similar to a running blade you see a lot of sprinters and athletes do a lot of distance running or sprints. It’s incredibly absorbent for the pressure that goes through it. It’s one piece of carbon fibre, no knee joint whatsoever and it’s incredibly responsive and reacts to what I do when playing.
For me, the main difference is that it’s incredibly shorter than my walking leg and therefore my actual limb and that takes a toll on my back and hips. But by having the leg a lot shorter, it allows me to get lower to the table and I am a lot more stable when I play table tennis. The fact it doesn’t have a knee joint means that I’m less likely to fall over. It’s not going to buckle or cave away from underneath me, so I have that security to play as hard and as fast as I can physically do, knowing I can stay on my feet and be able to stay in the rally.
I absolutely love my table tennis leg because, even though it’s in a bit of an uncomfortable position being down that low, it’s the closest I’ve ever felt to having two legs.
Other than that, I have no other adaptations in my life. I drive a regular car, but with an automatic transition, but loads of folks do as well, able-bodied or disabled.
Being born with a disability, I’ve been able to problem-solve really well and figure out solutions that may not seem as obvious at the very beginning. This has allowed me to live an inclusive and fulfilling life without having to rely on prosthetics or too much help from others. Although don’t get me wrong, I’m not shy. I’ll happily ask for help as and when I need it. But I feel very fulfilled within myself that I can live an independent life.
Martin Perry on becoming a table tennis player
How did you get into table tennis and what do you love about the sport?
It was through the Scottish Disability Sport summer camp. So I got spotted playing rugby sevens for my high school in Paisley able-bodied mainstream school and Scottish Disability Sport caught wind of it.
They were intrigued to find out what else I could do and invited me along to an annual summer camp that still runs to this day, which is nice. On the final day, there was table tennis and we literally strapped a bat to my arm with some Velcro and a tee towel and the rest is history.
I just love how quick it is and how fast-paced it is. No two rallies are the same and it’s just so much fun.
Do you prefer playing in the singles or doubles matches and why?
Sorry Will, but it’s definitely singles. There’s something about the thrill of having to fight and scramble for every ball and knowing that it’s all on you, that pressure. I guess for some people like myself, it’s a really nice feeling, that pressure, buildup and intensity. I really love it, but of course, I’m relishing the moment to play with Will as well in doubles. But yes, singles are my favourite.
How does it feel to have Will Bayley as your partner in the doubles and have you played alongside him before?
It’s great playing doubles with Will. We’ve played quite a few tournaments now. We’ve had some good results. I feel like the more we play together, the more we gel and become a real force to be reckoned with.
At the Paralympic Games, the format is a straight knockout, so anything can happen, but we’ll be prepared for it. We’ll be as best prepared as any other nation.
It’s amazing to turn around in the middle of a match to high-five your partner, the guy who’s completed the sport. He’s done everything. He’s won every medal. He’s been number one in the world.
So if I’m ever looking for guidance or reassurance, or maybe sometimes a kick up the backside, if it’s not going well, then Will is the guy to look to and he’s going to be there supporting me and fighting for every ball. It’s going to be an amazing experience. As I said, every time we play together, we feel closer as a team and I think it’s going to be a great experience for both of us.
What has been the highlight of your table tennis career so far?
It’s definitely a joint highlight. Obviously qualifying for Paris is amazing. It feels fantastic, even though sometimes it doesn’t actually feel real despite how close we are to the Games. But especially after watching the Olympic opening ceremony a couple of nights ago, I was like, “Wow, that’s incredible. That’s the Olympic opening ceremony… I’m going in a couple of weeks.” So it’s definitely a highlight qualifying for the Paralympic Games.
But I think in terms of what I’ve achieved on the table already would be the World Championship bronze medal. That was an incredible feeling. And a very close second-place highlight would be the bronze at the European Championships.
But I think for the fact that it’s the World Championships that probably just pips it and the fact that it was my first major singles medal, it was such a special one. So, I’d definitely say between Paris and the World Championships.
Martin Perry on parenting, volunteering and media appearances
What is it like being a father and how do you juggle training and parenting?
Best job in the world. Up until about eight months ago, table tennis was the best job in the world. That’s taken a firm second place because being a dad is just amazing. I absolutely love it. As much as it’s hard at times, I can’t get enough of her. It’s just absolutely fantastic.
But obviously, that comes with the issue of juggling being a parent and training and competing and it’s really difficult at times. But thankfully Siobhain, and in particular Siobhain’s parents and my brother and his family, have mustered in and helped us out because Siobhain is working as well and they know what I’m training towards in the summer. So the family from both sides have really come together and helped us out with childcare allowing me to try to achieve my dream, which is a Paralympic medal.
I think I remember in the process of just trying to qualify, from December when she was born until qualification had finished, that was four and a half months. In that period, I had actually missed half of her life trying to qualify for the Games.
So when I finally did it, it was just such a good feeling knowing that all that sacrifice was worth it because she’ll never remember these moments, but I always will, knowing the days that I missed her and didn’t see her do her first lot of things, which is difficult, but hopefully getting to the Paralympics and what happens next will all be worth it in the end. But yes, being a father is amazing fun.
Can you tell us more about the Drumchapel TT Club and what your role involves as a volunteer?
That’s the best club in the world! I won’t hear anyone say otherwise. It’s a friendly, welcoming team with people of all ages, shapes, sizes, genders, creeds and religions. Everyone is just always welcome at our club. The only thing they ask of you is just do it with a smile on your face.
The club’s just fantastic and they’ve been so supportive and a lot of them are going to come out to Paris as well to watch me, which is amazing. I didn’t think that people would do it because they’ve got lives and jobs. I thought, “Well, it’s on the TV. They’ll just watch it.” And yet so many folk have booked time off work and booked hotels and train tickets and everything. I’m like, “Wow, that’s incredible.” So the support they give you is tremendous. It’s the best.
When the opportunity arises, which is few and far between at the moment, because of juggling parenting, training and competing, I try and help out at the club as much as I can, whether that be going into the schools with Terry, who’s the head coach and help take a session. Or just coming in earlier and working with the primary school kids or the young high school students that we get, to help them develop and push on and just really grow the club.
We relished those opportunities because it was people doing that for me when I was younger, which has enabled me to be where I’m now. But selfishly, in recent times, I’ve had to take a little bit of a step backwards in terms of the volunteering that I’m doing because I need to focus on doing the best I can in Paris.
What was it like to participate in The One Show’s 700-mile Rickshaw Challenge in 2013 and how well did you do?
It’s a long time ago now. I’ll never forget it. I’ve got it tattooed on my body, so it’s something that I’ll never forget. I made great memories on the Rickshaw Challenge, It was fantastic.
We partnered up with Alex Jones. I cycled the length and breadth of Britain almost just to raise money for people who need it. It was an incredible experience. You’re cycling down some silly B road in the middle of Wales at four o’clock in the morning just with a big smile on your face.
It was a great experience. I’d definitely love to do something like that again. I loved the challenge of it. I loved the fact that we were able to raise over £1.5 million for Children In Need. The whole comradery of it was fantastic.
Who has been your favourite guest interview on your podcast PerryPOD and will you be releasing a new series later this year?
It’s a tough one. There have been some good guests on there. I might have to say my teammate Megan Shackleton is probably my favourite guest because we have spent so much time with each other over the years.
To have her tell her story in such an open and honest way and very candidly, she was just so eloquent with it. The fact that it’s such an amazing story to listen to was, for me, amazing. I was quite touched and inspired by it because it’s not something we tend to talk about in everyday conversations.
The fact that I was able to have Meg sit down and have that camera between us, I think eased it a little bit and made the conversation a little bit easier. She maybe felt like she wasn’t talking to me, which was fantastic.
I would love to start up the podcast again after Paris. But as you can imagine, having Beira come along and training for Paris itself has taken up a lot of my time. I’ve had a lot of folks ask me, “When’s the next episode coming out?” I was like, “I didn’t realise anyone listened.” So that’s really nice. Never say never though.
Martin Perry on preparing for Paris 2024
How does it feel to be selected for your first Paralympic Games?
Amazing. It’s something that I’ve worked almost half of my life towards, dedicated a lot of time and effort and sacrificed a lot just like everyone else. But it’s amazing when you finally get over the line and realise that your dreams and aspirations can come true.
As I said, it doesn’t always feel real. It sort of comes in waves, but at some moments I’m like, “Oh my goodness, I’m going to be a Paralympian and it’s going to be such an amazing feeling, having my friends and family watching in the stands.
Then other days you just don’t really believe that it’s actually going to happen because you just go about your everyday life of training and being a father and everything else that comes with life. So yes, it’s a bit of a strange one because it comes in waves, but when it hits you, it’s a very nice feeling.
How have your preparations been going for Paris 2024?
I feel like the preparations have been going really well. I’ve had such great support back home at Drumchapel TT Club. I’m still tapping into the resources in Sheffield at the National Center when the opportunity arises.
I’m currently spending two and a half weeks training in Venia, before we get on the train and go out to Paris. So we’ve got such good variation. Everyone seems to be in a really good space, which is nice. I just feel like I can stay relaxed, stay fit, stay healthy and then all I have to do is just go out there and enjoy myself.
What are you looking forward to the most at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, as well as aiming to secure a medal?
I think if I take away table tennis, everyone always talks about the Olympic and the Paralympic experience, and I’m so intrigued to find out in person what it is because I think all of my teammates that are going apart from one, have experienced a multi games event, whether it be a multi-sport event like the Paralympics or Commonwealth Games. So to get that experience for myself, I’m incredibly excited.
But of course, I want to also be playing in the arena, heart on my sleeve, shouting my head off, and having the time of my life – what more could I ask for? And then to look up into the crowd and hopefully try and spot Siobhain and Beira. Yes, that’s going to be the best feeling ever.
You can find out more about Martin Perry by following him on Instagram.
Paris 2024 Paralympics: Table tennis results
In his singles match, Martin lost in the last 16 match to Ian Seidenfeld of USA 11-5, 11-5, 11-9. Reacting to the defeat, Martin said:
“This has been the highlight of my career and up there with one of the best experiences of my life. To come to France has been great for my friends and family and supporters as it’s just down the road from back home which is amazing. This whole experience has been everything I’ve wanted it to be and more despite the results. Obviously they would have been the cherry on top but the whole experience and privilege of being at the Paralympics and representing my country at the highest level is a honour I will never forget.
“But it wouldn’t be possible without the people playing the National Lottery and allowing me to not only chase my dreams but fulfil them and I can now say I’m a Paralympian and always will be and that’s something that fills me with so much pride and joy. Yes the results could been better and that would have been amazing but I’m here and I’ve competed, achieved a life long dream and that wouldn’t have been possible without everyone supporting me. So I just want to say thank you, not just to my friends and family but to everyone playing the National Lottery, just a massive heartfelt thank you.”
On 30th August, Martin Perry and his doubles partner Will Bayley were beaten 2-3 (6-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 9-11) by France’s Clement Berthier and Esteban Herrault in the Class 14 men’s doubles quarter-finals.
On facing home favourites, Martin said: “It was an unbelievable experience. To have that atmosphere, however many thousands of us there were against the two of us, we showed our character. We were two points away from a Paralympic medal.
“We had all the momentum going into that fifth set, we had played exceptionally well to get there from 2-0 down. We always believed in each other. They are European champions, ranked two in the world. We have shown we can win major medals, we just need that bit of luck.”
The other ParalympicsGB table tennis medal results are:
- Will Bayley – Men’s Singles Class 7 – Silver
- Rob Davies -Men’s Singles Class 1 – Silver
- Bly Twomey – Women’s WS7 Singles – Bronze
- Bly Twomey & Fliss Pickard – Women’s Doubles Class 14 – Bronze
- Billy Shilton & Paul Karabardak – Men’s Doubles Class 14 – Bronze
Be sure to tune in to watch Martin Perry and the rest of the ParalympicsGB table tennis squad at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which takes place from 28th August to 8th September 2024 on Channel 4.
What is Para table tennis?
Para table tennis follows the laws set by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) with only slight modifications to the serving laws for athletes competing in wheelchairs.
Each player aims to hit the ball over the net onto the opponent’s half of the table and wins the point if they fail to return it successfully.
A match is played over the best of five sets, with each set won by the first player to reach 11 points. A two-point winning margin is required to win each set. The server changes every two points.
Competitions take the form of preliminary rounds followed by knockout stages.
The team events are played over the best of three matches – starting with a doubles and then one or two singles matches to decide the tie.