PARALYMPICS LONDON 2012: Anthony adamant medal is realistic

Posted: Thursday 23rd August 2012 | 10:27

LONDON is calling with increasing volume for David Anthony with the wheelchair rugby player set to star for Great Britain at the Paralympic Games.

MEDAL TARGET: David Anthony believes the GB wheelchair rugby squad can challenge for some silverware at London 2012

Part of Britain's 11-stong squad, Anthony has been on a gruelling six-week training camp in Norfolk and believes the team should benefit from a huge amount of home support in London.

And the 22-year-old, who plays for the South Wales Pirates, admits that his own excitement levels were already building rapidly.

"There have been 10,000 tickets sold already in the first stadium we are playing in," said Anthony - who benefits from being a member of the Lloyds TSB Local Heroes programme.

"That guarantees a good atmosphere, so it should be a pretty special few days and we have already caught the imagination of the public.

"I have a seen a great deal of it on the television and the tickets sold out within a couple of hours. People have really responded and I am confident that we can make that trend continue."

Having finished fourth in the last two Paralympic Games - at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 - a podium place is the primary goal for Anthony and co.

Indeed, even after an underwhelming fifth-place finish at the Canada Cup in June, Anthony is hopeful that the close-knit group can enjoy success.

Great Britain face a tough start with defending champions USA up first on September 5 before fixtures with France and Japan in Pool A and Anthony is adamant they will perform.

"We had a couple of bad days at the office at the Canada Cup, which was really uncharacteristic," he added.

"We were careless and paid the price for it but I am glad that it happened out there, rather than at London 2012.

"It wouldn't be right if we weren't focussed on competing for a medal. There are eight teams going to the Paralympics and it will be close - all eight could come away with gold.

"We can only try our best and hope that we come back with any colour around our necks. At the moment we are working out plans for each of our opponents and making sure our tactics are right."

David Anthony is a Lloyds TSB Local Hero and member of ParalympicsGB. Lloyds TSB is proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of ParalympicsGB on their journey to London 2012.