Former Paralympic champion Rob Davies has secured a second international medal in as many weeks at back-to-back tournaments in Slovenia.
The Brecon star, who competes in the men’s class 1 category, took bronze at the inaugural ITTF World Para Elite tournament in Lasko, just days after claiming silver at the ITTF World Para Challenger event, also held in Slovenia.
In the latest competition, Davies began with a comfortable 3-0 win against Antreas Aravis from Cyprus and then saved set points in the second set before beating world number 11 Timo Natunen from Finland 3-0. He secured his place in the quarter-finals as group winner with a 3-0 win against Jesus Daniel Tirado Guarapano from Venezuela and progressed to the semi-finals with a 3-0 win against old rival Andrea Borgato, the world bronze medallist from Italy.
In the semi-final, Davies led 1-0 against world number two Kim Hyeon Uk, but the Tokyo Paralympic silver medallist came back to lead 2-1 and edged a tight fourth set 12-10 to win 3-1.
“It was really tight,” said Davies.
“In the first end I was in charge and that put me in good stead but then I think I lost my focus a bit. I’m disappointed but when I take a bit of time I’ll be really happy as well.
“I’ve had some good performances over the last two weeks although I didn’t perform in the final last week but I’m sort of happy with the performance in the semi-final today - just a few loose balls that I didn’t get right. I’ll just keep working.
“My main focus this year is the Europeans, and I wanted to put a marker down and I think I’ve done that here.”
“The guys know I’m back to my level - or getting there - so it’s exciting times for me really,” he added.