Loughborough College’s Ross Wilson says he will continue to give his “absolute everything” in Rio in his bid to add individual and team Paralympic medals to the team bronze he won at London 2012.
The 20-year-old was the youngest member of the GB table tennis squad in London four years ago, missing out on a medal in the singles before linking up with Will Bayley and fellow Loughborough College student Aaron McKibbin for the team event.
Wilson was agonisingly close in his men’s singles class 8 table tennis match against Sweden’s Emil Andersson in Brazil, on the first day of the Games - a repeat of their London 2012 bronze medal match which saw Wilson finish fourth.
Wilson won the opening game 11-6 before losing the next two then managed to force a deciding game with a 11-9 in the fourth - but he lost a fifth game decider 11-8.
“I didn’t play too bad today and I’m still not in a bad position going into tomorrow’s match. I can still go through if I win my second match well so I’ve got to forget about this, relax a little bit and then go again tomorrow,” Wilson said after the match.
Later, posting a picture of him with his family in Rio, Wilson added: “It was a great match and I gave it everything… I want to thank you all for the incredible support you have given to me so far and especially all of my family who have come all of the way to Brazil to watch me, I wouldn't be here without you all.
“I'll continue to give my absolute everything in all of my matches and hope I can do Great Britain proud!”
Fellow Loughborough College student Aaron McKibbin was the first table tennis player in action on day one but was beaten 3-1 (11-6, 10-12, 11-5, 11-6) by world number three Thomas Bouvais in his opening men’s class 8 single match.
“I felt there are a lot of positives I can take into the second game where I know I’ve got a really good chance to get the victory,” said McKibbin.
Pictured: Loughborough College table tennis player Ross Wilson in action on the first day of competition at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games in Brazil (onEdition)