Paralympian Sue Gilroy, from Dodworth, is included in a 16-strong British squad that will compete in the European Para Table Tennis Championships in Lasko, Slovenia from Thursday.
The Shawlands Primary School teacher's preparation has been hampered by major surgery on her arm earlier this year and the 44-year-old believes that means a medal is a 'long shot'. Sue said: "I've only been back in training a few weeks so I'm still limited on how much training I can do. But, from where I was four weeks ago when I didn't think I would make the Europeans, I'm playing a lot better now.
"It's not the best preparation but I'm doing the best I can under the circumstances and hopefully, long-term, my arm will be a lot better now I've had the surgery on my elbow and things will come together. I always put pressure on myself and have high targets so it is a big ask to be going in to a major championship and trying to win a gold but I can only do my best and try and play as well as I can. I'll rely on my experience and my knowledge of my opponents and just go in without any real expectations. It would be great if I could win a medal but it is a long shot with the preparation I've had."
Gilroy will compete in the women's class four singles and also the women's class four to five team event with 18-year-old Megan Shackleton. The pair have already taken bronze in the World Team Championships in Slovakia this year. Sue said: "It is brilliant having a team partner as I spent 20 years without one. Megan is already playing at a good standard and is going to be even better in the future. It is great knowing that we play so well together even though there is a big age gap. We've got confidence in each other and we're good friends and hopefully that will come across on the table and we can be in the medals in the team event."
