Wandsworth table tennis star Aaron McKibbin is heading to Rio for the Paralympic Games and he is determined to enjoy every minute.

The 25-year-old was part of Team GB’s bronze medal winning men’s squad at London 2012, and he will be competing in the same event in Rio, as well as the men’s class 8 singles.

London was McKibbin’s first taste of Olympic action, and he admitted it all passed him by.

“Rio feels very different to London because everything then was a new experience and I never really knew what to expect,” he said.

“This time I have made a conscious effort to really enjoy it because I feel that in London it all went by so fast and when I look back now I can’t remember what happened.

“So I feel that my preparation has been better this time as I have taken time to enjoy it and realise that I compete because I love it and that is enough for me to stay relaxed.”

The Paralympics starts on September 7, with the table tennis action – being held in the RioCentro – getting under way the following day.

Team GB finished third in the London 2012 medals table behind China and Russia, having won 34 golds, 43 silver and 43 bronze gongs.

McKibbin is hoping to improve on his bronze medal, and insists that preparation could not have gone any better.

“Preparation has been going really well and I’m just excited now to get out there and get started,” he said.

“We’ve had a long period without competition and the other day we played a national competition to get some match practice and I had some good results there.

“So I’m feeling confident that my level is where it needs to be, it is just about putting the pieces together on the day.”

He added: “I feel that in every major I’ve played I’ve improved and for me it is a confidence thing - if I believe in myself I’ll play my best and if I do that then I can beat anyone.

“If I can bring my best level then I will be happy with my performance.”