A DUMBARTON table tennis star has enjoyed mixed fortunes following a busy period of action.

Martin Perry recently took silver in the men’s class 14 doubles alongside partner, Mohammad Alrashidi, on the final day of the Thailand Para Open in Pattaya. However, he was unable to secure qualification for the World Championships after losing in the quarter-finals of the men’s class six singles.

The 28-year-old and his partner Alrashidi lost their first match to Cristian Dettoni and Matias Pino Lorca from Chile 3-1 but a walkover against Phitsadan Oiuyen and Suriyone Thapaeng from Thailand took them through to the semi-final against the Spanish/Italian partnership of Alberto Seoane Alcaraz and Raimondo Alecci. Perry and Alrashidi led 2-0 but a time out at 6-7 down in the third turned things round for Seoane Alcaraz and Alecci and after taking the set 11-8 they took the fourth 11-4 to level at 2-2. It looked as if the combined experience of the Spanish/Italian pair would prove decisive but Perry and Alrashidi took a close final set 11-9 for a 3-2 win.

Earlier in the tournament Perry came agonisingly close to taking a medal in the singles and securing qualification for the World Championships later this year. He reached the knockout stages as runner-up in his group after wins against Phitsadan Oiuyen from Thailand (3-0) and Cristian Dettoni from Chile (3-2) and a 3-1 loss to Alberto Seoane Alcaraz from Spain. He faced another Chilean in the quarterfinals in Matias Pino Lorca, silver medallist in Argentina last week, and having fought back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2 Perry was disappointed to lose the deciding set 11-6.

Reflecting on the tournament, Martin said: “I was disappointed to lose 3-1 to Seoane because I felt I played quite well; it was just poor execution at times.

“Against Pino Lorca it is always 50/50 and we always have good matches. I got off to a slow start but I knew I was in the match. We both knew the winner of our match was going to all but guarantee a spot in the World Championships. It wasn’t the performance I wanted in terms of trying to get to the World Championships but it is what it is and I will need a wild card.”

Martin added: “I’m proud to have another medal at a factor 40 and after three weeks on the road I’m looking forward to spending a bit of time with my family and then getting back into training and seeing how things pan out.”