Three returning Paralympians and one trailblazing debutant will type ParalympicsGB’s badminton squad on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games this summer time.
Dan Bethell, Krysten Coombs and Jack Shephard, who all featured when the game made its Paralympic debut in Tokyo three years in the past, have been chosen alongside Rachel Choong who will make historical past when she turns into the primary feminine athlete to characterize ParalympicsGB within the sport.
World primary Bethell claimed ParalympicsGB’s first ever medal within the sport when he gained silver within the SL3 males’s singles on the rescheduled Tokyo Video games in 2021, with Coombs incomes bronze within the SH6 males’s singles two days later.
Bethell mentioned: “To be heading to a different Paralympic Video games is vastly thrilling. Successful silver in Tokyo was superb nevertheless it stays my objective to grow to be Paralympic champion. I don’t really feel like I’ve reached my full potential but and I don’t really feel like I’ve peaked, so it’s all about persevering with to work onerous, transferring ahead and getting these huge outcomes.”
Shephard joins Coombs within the SH6 males’s singles draw and this time will compete on two fronts. The 26-year-old from Chesterfield additionally joins forces with Liverpudlian Choong within the SH6 blended doubles, an occasion which didn’t function within the Tokyo programme. The pair at the moment sit prime of the world rankings collectively.
SH6 girls’s singles has additionally been added to the schedule and Britain will probably be represented by 10-time world champion Choong, who’s at the moment ranked fourth on this planet.
Choong added: “I used to be in Tokyo as a commentator – it was superb to be inside the sector and see all of it, however unusual to be at a contest and never taking part in. To have the chance to carry out on the Paralympic stage is surreal and so particular. It’s what I’ve been striving in direction of since I began taking part in, again once we had been in sports activities halls in entrance of not many spectators. Now we are going to play in an enviornment in entrance of hundreds, and this summer time will probably be my largest competitors but. I can’t wait.”
Shephard mentioned: “It was implausible to participate in Tokyo however I really feel I’ve some unfinished enterprise on the court docket. This time will probably be much more particular as our household and mates will be there to help us, and I’m wanting ahead to the singles and the doubles alongside Rachel. Successful a medal or two this summer time could be a dream come true.”
Coombs added: “Standing on the Paralympic podium in Tokyo was the proudest second of my profession and I can’t anticipate the chance to take action once more in Paris.
“Preparations are going rather well, we’re a tight-knit group and we’re so excited to get on the market and get caught in.”
Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB’s Chef de Mission for Paris 2024 mentioned: “I’m delighted to welcome Daniel, Jack and Krysten again to the ParalympicsGB workforce sure for Paris later this summer time, and naturally completely thrilled that Rachel now has the chance to showcase her superb expertise and character as the primary feminine badminton participant to characterize ParalympicsGB.
“Our 4 athletes have all proven super capacity merely in securing their locations within the workforce and I look ahead to seeing what they will obtain on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Video games.”
Badminton England’s Para programme head coach Richard Morris mentioned: “Paralympic medals are positively a objective of the workforce right here and I’m so happy with the 4 chosen gamers. The thrill is large. Para badminton has solely ever had one Paralympic Video games, Tokyo was behind closed doorways so we didn’t get the complete expertise. That is our largest match to this point and if we will go on the market and win some medals, that will be superb.”
A complete of round 230 athletes from 19 sports activities are anticipated to make up the British workforce that can compete in Paris, with additional names to be introduced by ParalympicsGB within the subsequent few weeks.
At Tokyo 2020 ParalympicsGB gained medals throughout a document breaking 18 totally different sports activities – the very best variety of any nation ever. ParalympicsGB completed second on the medal desk with 124 medals general, together with 41 gold, 38 silver and 45 bronze.
