Rob Davies

Rob Davies is a four-time European champion and the 2016 Paralympic champion in the Class 1 singles category.

Born and bred in Wales, Rob played semi-professional rugby until a spinal cord injury while playing left him a wheelchair user at the age of 21. In a bizarre twist of fate, at the same time that Rob was injured his twin brother Rich was involved in a serious car accident on the way to the match but went on to make a full recovery.

He was introduced to table tennis during his rehab by another ParalympicsGB table tennis player, Sara Head, when she was a volunteer at the Rockwood hospital in Cardiff.

After making his international debut in 2007, Rob would make his first Paralympic Games in London before topping the podium four years later at Rio 2016, for which he received an MBE in 2017 - the same year he married his wife Megan. He won his fourth consecutive European title in 2019 but he was unable to defend his Paralympic crown due to a shoulder injury. He returned at the 2022 World Championships with a singles bronze and came close to taking his fifth consecutive European title last year, losing a five-set final to the Hungarian Endre Major.

Away from the table, Rob enjoys gardening and is still a massive rugby fan as he plays the wheelchair version occasionally.

2019: European Championships, Sweden – gold, men’s singles (class 1)

Lignano Master Open, Italy – gold, men’s singles (class 1

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2018: European Championships, Sweden – gold, men’s singles (class 1)

Lignano Master Open, Italy – gold, men’s singles (class 1)

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2017: European Championships, Lasko, Slovenia – gold, men’s singles (class 1)

Czech Open – gold, men’s singles (class 1)

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2016: Paralympic Games, Rio de Janeiro - gold, men’s singles (class 1)

Slovenia Open - gold, men’s singles (class 1)

2015: European Championships, Vejle, Denmark - gold, men’s singles (class 1); gold, men’s teams (class 1)

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2014: World Championships, Beijing, China - silver, men’s singles (class 1)

Slovenia Open - gold, men’s singles (class 1); gold, men’s teams (class 1)

2013: Belgium Open - gold, men’s singles (class 1)

European Championships, Lignano, Italy - gold, men’s singles (class 1); gold, men’s teams (class 1)

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2012: Slovakian Open - gold, men’s singles (class 1); gold, men’s teams (class 1)

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2011: European Championships, Split, Croatia - silver, men’s singles (class 1); silver, men’s teams (class 1)

British Open - gold, men’s singles (class 1)