TODMORDEN teenager Megan Shackleton travels to Denmark this week for the ITTF PTT European Championships next week hoping for a good performance to boost her chances of qualification for the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.

The 16 year old will be competing in her first major championship and after taking two silver medals at last month’s Czech Open she has been putting the final touches to her preparation at a GB training camp in Slovakia.

“I feel my preparations for Denmark are going very well,” said Shackleton. “I’m just fine-tuning technique and other small things so that hopefully I’m in the best position for good performances out there. Although it is my first major championship my approach to it has been very similar to any other tournament - I don’t want to get too overwhelmed by the occasion and then not be able to perform.

“I can take a lot of positives from the Czech Open that I am definitely developing a consistent base game. It’s just important at the championships that I’m able to bring out more elements of my skill side during open play and believe in my abilities.”

Shackleton will also compete in the women’s class 4 team event in Denmark with World silver medalist and former Commonwealth champion Sue Gilroy and acknowledges that playing with the veteran of four Paralympic Games is giving her invaluable experience.

“Playing team event with Sue has been a great learning curve for me so far,” she said. “I feel we get on well as a team, as we are both perfectionists and will fight hard until the very end of our matches. From the beginning she always told me that composure is key during high pressure situations, and that for me has been the most useful advice she has given by far.”