July 16, 2024
There at the moment are simply 43 days till the 2024 Paralympics get underway in Paris. The ParalympicsGB badminton squad has been chosen, together with three returning Paralympians and one debutant, and within the coming weeks we are going to hear from every of them in a weblog on the Badminton England web site. First up, Krysten Coombs, who gained bronze when badminton made its Paralympic debut in Tokyo…
I understand how it feels to podium at a Paralympic Video games. Now I can’t wait to expertise a correct Paralympic environment at Paris 2024.
Successful para-badminton bronze in Tokyo was a dream come true, performing because the end result of years of graft within the sport.
It was a second made additional particular by the actual fact my medal was the final of the 124 medals gained by ParalympicsGB at Tokyo 2020 – a cool little little bit of historical past to boast, even when it was fully out of my management.
Nonetheless, there was one factor lacking from my Paralympic triumph. Successful my bronze medal match in an eerie, echoey enviornment, I couldn’t assist however yearn for the presence of pals, household and followers, who had been all absent because of the restrictions of the pandemic.
I’m due to this fact ecstatic to get one other shot flying the GB flag on the Paralympic Video games, with Paris 2024 posing a complete new expertise to the one I loved three years in the past.
In addition to having my family members within the stands, it will likely be surreal to have 1000’s of followers watching me go for gold, one thing which is way from the norm for para badminton.
Added strain there could also be, however given the actual fact my Tokyo celebrations consisted of a Zoom name with my household, having them there in attendance will solely push me on to go even higher than my earlier Paralympic success.
Regaining a spot on the rostrum is one thing I’m assured of attaining. It has been an excellent few months main as much as the Video games and I can’t wait to get going.
That stated, there may be extra to Paris than simply medals for me. I wish to promote para sport and the unimaginable impression they will have on individuals’s lives, together with my very own.
Rising up, sport was all the things to me. Launched to the athletic world by the Dwarf Sports activities Affiliation, I spent my time swimming in addition to enjoying desk tennis and soccer earlier than discovering badminton.
It’s important that sport is seen as accessible to everybody – you don’t must be elite athletes to become involved.
When you get the chance, be part of a membership of the game you like, as a result of it’s nice to dwell that wholesome life-style whereas collaborating in one thing that’s sociable as effectively.
I’ve greater than reaped the rewards of involving myself in para sport, with badminton taking me to lofty heights I’d have struggled to think about as a baby.
However as I put together to sort out my second Paralympics, I’ll be sure you not let the brilliant lights and elevated variety of eyes get the higher of me, utilising my profession exterior of sport to deal with the strain.
As an actor with credit in Recreation of Thrones, The Witcher and an array of pantomimes, I understand how to carry out in entrance of the cameras.
And with media presence at its peak throughout the Paralympics, I’ll hope to make use of my cool exterior to my benefit as I try for a spot on the rostrum.