Two-time Paralympian Megan Shackleton has made the decision to end her distinguished career as an international Para table tennis athlete to spend more time with friends and family and explore alternative opportunities.

The 27-year-old from Todmorden in Yorkshire has been part of the British Para table tennis team since 2013 and over the last 13 years has won Paralympic, world and European medals as well as seven ITTF singles titles.

“I’ve been involved with the team since I was very young and I’ve had the most amazing time,” said Shackleton. “I’ve accomplished things I’ve wanted to since I was a little kid which I’m really proud of – getting a Paralympic medal, going to two Paralympic Games, winning multiple major medals – but we make a lot of sacrifices and spend time away from family and friends and I feel ready to have a bit more time with everyone and give back to them for spending so much time supporting me. I’m also excited for a new challenge.

“I didn’t expect to make this decision right now – I thought it would be after LA, but it just felt right. I think when those feelings are stronger than wanting to carry on making those sacrifices which are needed to compete at the highest level in elite sport, it’s only fair to yourself, your family and the programme supporting you that you are honest about what you feel you want to give.

“When that time changes and you feel ready for a new chapter it is obviously a hard decision to make but when you know, you know. I never really wanted it to get to a point where table tennis felt like a chore or like I was just doing it out of obligation – I don’t really believe in that.”

Shackleton won the first of her six major medals at the ITTF European Para Championships in 2015, taking bronze in the women’s class 4-5 team event with Sue Bailey. The duo also took bronze in the World Team Championships in 2017 and European bronze again in 2019 before clinching a memorable team bronze medal at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. Shackleton went on to win silver in the mixed doubles with Jack Hunter-Spivey at the European Championships in 2023 and again in 2025.

“Having a Paralympic medal is something that a lot of athletes strive for and I’m very proud of,” she said, “but to be honest, when I look back, I’m probably most proud of the multiple things that I’ve overcome and found a way to do that. Every athlete knows what it is like to go through a tough time whether it is an injury setback or loss of form and I think the ability to keep going and to try and find a way to get better is probably what I’m most proud of myself for. Even with this decision I am proud of myself for deciding when it feels ready for a change and honour that.

“I’ve grown up with everyone in the team – especially Tom (Matthews) and Jack (Hunter-Spivey) who have been with me from the start. It is very much a family structure and such a special support network to be involved in, so I’ll miss seeing everyone every day. For every elite athlete there’s a reason we get into competitive sport, and I still love sport, so I’ll miss the build-up to a big event, playing big matches and so on, but I’m sure I’ll find my version of that in my next chapter as well.”

Having achieved a 2:1 degree in English literature, Shackleton will start a Masters in International Public and Political Communication at Sheffield University in September.

“It sounds quite intense, but it is actually a crossover of journalism, English literature and communications and it sounds really interesting so I’m excited for that,” she said. “You have an opportunity to do a placement that leads into your dissertation, and I think that’s really helpful to build those workplace skills rather than just studying.

“I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve had from everyone – family, friends, the programme and everything that comes with that. We can’t do what we do without that support and as an athlete it is about the journey you go on and the people that support you – overcoming everything and celebrating alongside them when things are going well.”

BPTT Interim Performance Director Shaun Marples paid tribute to Shackleton and acknowledged that she will be much missed as a valued member of the team.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know Megan over the years,” he said, “from first meeting her at a county athlete assessment day in west Yorkshire and seeing her pick up a bat for the very first time, and then being a spectator through every phase of her journey through to winning a Paralympic team medal in Tokyo with Sue Bailey. She’s a great advocate for Para table tennis and I really hope she continues to be involved with it.

“Her character epitomises British Para table tennis. Yes, it is about performance, but it is also bigger than that – it is about friendships, being a team player and being there for one another. Megan is a top player, a top person and I know she is going to go on to big things in the future; she’s got a great personality and will succeed in life whatever she does.

“The door is always open – we are a family culture and although people go in different directions, we’re still family and that is a great testament to the legacy that Gorazd (Vecko) created. Megan will be greatly missed but we wish her all the best in the future.”