FLISS Pickard and Megan Shackleton compete in their first World Para Table Tennis Championships in Slovenia this week.

Burnley’s Pickard and Shackleton from Todmorden are part of a squad of 14 players who will represent Great Britain in the championships that get underway today.

Pickard is hoping to build on her performance in the Commonwealth Games in April, when she reached the semi-finals of the women’s class 6-10 singles, and recorded a great win over the world number three Katarzyna Marszal from Poland in the women’s class 6 singles at the Czech Open last month.

“I’m really excited to be playing in my first World Championships,” said the 24 year old.

“I’ve had the best possible preparation so I can’t wait to get out there and experience the whole thing.

“The Commonwealth Games has definitely helped me a lot because I’ve been in that atmosphere and know what to expect at a major championship.

“Beating top players gives me confidence and I think if I go in with the right mind-set and use smart tactics and take every match as it comes I don’t see why I can’t compete with the best players.

“I’ve got that confidence now and belief that on my day I can beat anyone.”

Shackleton is also competing in her first World Championships as an individual, having taken bronze with Sue Gilroy in the World Team Championships last year.

She produced a great performance to win gold in the women’s class 4 singles at the Czech Open and, having completed her A levels, is now training full time.

“I’m really excited going into the World Championships and now that I’m training full time I’m feeling quite sharp,” said the 19-year-old from Todmorden.

“Recent results show progression in my belief when I am in situations that are a bit stressful.

“I was 2-1 down in the Czech Open final and I managed to come back and fight back again when I was down in the fifth set and that just shows that when I am in a pressure situation I’m able to manage it a lot better.

“Now that I’m training full time I’ve got a clearer mind and when I’m able to have rest in between training sessions it is dedicated towards that.

“Having that extra time to focus on rest rather than other things seems to be helping me quite a lot.

“I want to make sure that everything I’ve been working on in training I allow myself to do in match play and if I manage that successfully at the Worlds then I think I’ll be really happy.”