Wheelchair Rugby Stars Gear Up for USA Semi-Final Showdown

ParalympicsGB’s wheelchair rugby squad silenced a home crowd in Paris by beating France 50-49 to set up a semi-final showdown against the USA on Sunday night.

Following victories over Australia and Denmark in the opening days of competition, the formidable ParalympicsGB team made it three wins from three, triumphing despite the passionate support of the French crowd at the Grand Palais Éphémère. Their meticulous pre-match preparation proved invaluable, enabling them to block out distractions and focus on the game at hand.

“We arranged for people to engage with the crowd last night so we could gauge the atmosphere,” said Aaron Phipps, a key figure in the squad. “We had our mechanic and S&C coach recording the cheers and boos to prepare accordingly. When we threw away that turnover at the end, the noise was overwhelming. But in the end, they were clapping and praising us, which is how it should be.”

Dominance on the Boccia Court

Over on the boccia court, reigning champion David Smith secured his place in the men’s BC1 quarter-finals with a convincing 4-1 victory over the Netherlands’ Daniel Perez. Despite the outcome, Smith remained grounded, acknowledging the fierce competition he faces.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve cruised into the quarter-finals,” he remarked. “At this level, everyone is excellent, and I must perform at my best in every match to have a chance. I’m not taking anything for granted.”

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Stephen McGuire exhibited remarkable prowess, advancing to the last four in the men’s BC4 competition after defeating Hong Kong’s Yuk Wing Leung, the reigning gold medallist from Rio and Tokyo, with an impressive score of 6-1.

“This is probably one of the best games I’ve ever played and one of my best results,” he said, reflecting on his performance. “It ranks up there with the world championship final I won in 2016.”

Claire Taggart overcame pre-match nerves that felt like “a swarm of wasps in my belly” to reach the semi-finals in the women’s BC2 competition, edging Hiu Lam Yeung 3-2. Meanwhile, Patrick Wilson is set to contest his men’s BC3 quarter-final on Sunday after a dominant 9-0 victory in the group stage against South Africa’s Karabo Morapedi.

Badminton Brilliance

In badminton, Krysten Coombs and Rachel Choong joined Daniel Bethell in the knockout stages after impressive performances in their final group games. Coombs, who secured a bronze medal in Tokyo three years ago, again finds himself among the last eight after overcoming Solaimalai with a score of 21-12, 21-10 amidst a vocal crowd at La Chapelle Arena.

“That performance showed the level of badminton I’m capable of right now. My confidence is high, so bring on the quarter-finals!” he asserted with determination.

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Choong also shone brightly, claiming top spot in the women’s singles SH6 group B after a fierce battle against Poland’s Oliwia Szmigiel, winning 17-21, 21-10, 21-16. This victory marked a remarkable achievement in her Paralympic debut.

“I had a late match last night in the mixed doubles with Jack, and unfortunately, we lost and were knocked out. To bounce back from that and deliver a strong performance is incredibly satisfying,” she expressed with excitement. “I hope to carry this momentum into the quarter-finals.”

Jack Shephard, however, fell short in his quest after losing to home favourite Charles Noakes. Unable to overcome the French player, who had previously won his two group games, Shephard was narrowly defeated 21-17, 21-17, finishing fourth in his group. Nevertheless, he appreciated the experience of competing in front of a passionate crowd.

“Playing against a French player at their home Games was absolutely amazing. We all know the French crowd is spectacular, and they created an incredible atmosphere,” he reflected.

Progress in Wheelchair Tennis

Dahnon Ward and his former junior rival Ben Bartram teamed up to reach the second round of the men’s wheelchair tennis doubles at Paris 2024. They triumphed 6-3, 3-6, 10-5 against Morocco’s Lhaj Boukartacha and Said Himam.

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In the women’s singles, Lucy Shuker, bolstered by the support of her psychologist and partner, powered through to a second-round victory over French competitor Charlotte Fairbank, winning 6-4, 7-5. Shuker reflected on the crucial mental preparation she undertook to thrive under pressure.

“We train for situations like these. You have to be able to block out the crowd; otherwise, you’ll struggle to perform,” she stated, embodying the resilience that characterises top Paralympic athletes.

As the competitions heat up, athletes’ spirits soar, and with each match, they bring to life the indomitable British spirit that shines at the Paralympic Games. The chase for glory continues, and the world watches in anticipation.