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Bayley

World number one Will Bayley gives us the lowdown on his team-mates.

Rob Davies (Class 1) 

"Rob's quite young for a Class 1 player, and he's very talented. He’s been involved with the top squad for the last four or five years, working his way up. He reads spin very well and he’s got a great touch. He’s a really funny guy and I think he’s going to do very well in London. Out of the whole squad, he’s one of my top tips for a medal." 

Paul Davies (Class 1)

"Twenty years is a long time to wait to compete in your first Paralympics and Paul deserves it as much as anyone. He has beaten a lot of the top players in the world and will be very confident going into London 2012. He’s fun to be around and he fights for every point. He’s a really experienced player so we listen to what he’s got to say. He’s like the dad of the group. He's the boss!"

David Wetherill (Class 6)

"David is really talented. He has got a lot of different shots – good forehand, good backhand, and he attacks the ball well. I think he has the ability to surprise a lot of people in Class 6 at the Games. He’s quite young but he’s got a bit of experience behind him because he went to Beijing. He’s an interesting character, a good guy, and he’s going to be strong in London. 

"However, he’s probably got the worst taste in music. He comes up with some really bad songs. I’ve been sat in the car with him sometimes and thought ‘what is this?’ It’s the variations. He can go straight from techno to love songs, which is a pretty strange mix. He’s probably the worst dressed as well. We’ve actually got a bit of style in the squad, but his chinos and old granny jumpers don’t go well together! I don't think he's going to be very happy about this."

He’s got a bit of Swansea fight about him - Will Bayley on Paul Karabardak

Paul Karabardak (Class 7)

"Paul’s a great guy – he’s like a big brother. He’s the player I looked up to when I first joined the squad and I’ve learned a lot from him. We know how to give each other confidence. We compete in the same class and I room with him at most tournaments. He’s a lot cleaner than me and he’s pretty well organised. I’m probably the annoying one out of the two of us!

"Paul has a lot of passion for the game. He’s a massive Swansea City fan and he’s got a bit of Swansea fight about him. I’m sure he’ll make Wales proud in London. He’s probably the most entertaining member of the squad with a very dry sense of humour and he comes up with some great one-liners. We can be having a boring conversation and he will say something totally off subject which will crack me up. Every time I room with him something memorable happens, but nothing I can really share with you!"

Ross Wilson (Class 8)

"Ross is the youngest player in the squad and one of the youngest in the world, but he’s got a good chance of a medal and I think he’s going to be ready. He’s got good feel and touch, and he’ll be very confident because he has beaten nearly all the top players. 

"It’s unbelievable that he’s only 16. When he came in he was quite quiet but he’s getting more confident now. I tease him sometimes but he’s got a good head and he believes in himself. Apart from myself, Ross is probably the most competitive in the group. He doesn’t like getting beaten much, and he’s pretty serious on the table. When he starts losing he gets a bit angry."

Kim Daybell (Class 10)

"His game has really improved over the last two years. His backhand is his trademark shot, one of the best I’ve ever seen, so watch out for that in London. Kim’s also the smart one of the crew. He got something like nine A*s in his GCSEs and ridiculous grades in his A-Levels. He’s training to be a doctor at the moment so if we’re ever ill, we go to Kim and he diagnoses us. He’s perfect for a quiz night."

I don’t think I could win a medal if I was seven and a half months pregnant! - Will Bayley on Sue Gilroy

Sara Head (Class 3)

"Sara has really improved under the new performance manager and she’s doing very well at the moment. She’s very powerful and she hits the ball harder than most of the Class 3 players, which makes her stand out when she plays. Sara’s a really happy person. She’s got a great team spirit about her and she makes everyone feel welcome around the squad."

Jane Campbell (Class 3)

"Jane’s a real battler, a serious player on the table. She doesn’t always seem to be in control of everything, but she manages to get the wins. She has really improved and she’s got a solid game. Jane and Sara Head will definitely be looking for a medal in the team event at London 2012. They work really well together and have a great team ethic. Jane is the most chilled out of all of us. She takes it all in her stride and never seems riled. She’s pretty cool."

Sue Gilroy (Class 4)

"Sue has a lot of experience and has won loads of medals in the past. She’s a teacher and she’s got a bit of authority about her, but she’s quite soft really. She’s really helpful and is always there for the younger players to talk to if they need any advice. Because she has been there and done it, she will be one of the players who will be mentally prepared for what’s going to happen in London. I don’t think I could win a medal if I was seven and a half months pregnant! [Sue won silver at the European Championships in 2003 while pregnant]"

Will on Will Bayley (Class 7)

"I'd say fighting spirit and winning mentality, plus a good work ethic in the training hall. A solid backhand with a great forehand!"

Read more about GB's table tennis squad, including full player profiles, on the ParalympicsGB website.