PAISLEY para-table tennis star Martin Perry has his sights set firmly on the World Championships following his gold medal on the European stage – which he has hailed as one of the biggest milestones of his career.

Perry took gold for Great Britain in the men’s class six team event at the European Para Table-Tennis Championships in Slovenia last week alongside David Wetherill and Paul Karabardak, as they overpowered world silver medallists Croatia.

The trio only dropped one game in the entire tournament and eventually beat the Croats 2-0 in the final to earn Great Britain’s second gold of the competition, following Rob Davies’ third successive European crown in the singles category.

And for 23-year-old Perry, medalling at his maiden European championships has instilled him with the belief that he can qualify for a world championship spot at the Belgium Open later this month.

“It’s a great feeling and it’s so promising for the team moving forward with major championships. Knowing that we’re a top side is really exciting,” said Perry, who turned professional in November 2015.

“I’m not far off qualification for the worlds. I’m sitting 20th in the world, but if I pick up 40 ranking points, I could jump to the top 14.

“It’s a tight class, but the stakes are a little bit higher going into Belgium. If I do well, I’ve got a spot at the world championships waiting for me, which could be incredible.”

Perry was equally buoyed by reaching the last-16 in the singles category – his debut performance at a major competition.

He added: “It was of course disappointing to go out – but I lost to a very experienced player.

“It was unfortunate not to get the win, but it was a great experience to go out there and proving to myself that I’m not off the top guys by very much.

“I felt like I really held my own going up against these top class players.”