Grassroots Games 2016: Table tennis
The Paralympics is under way in Brazil, and the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is focusing on the sports that you will see, hear or read about over the next two weeks.
With 22 different sporting events on show in Rio 2016, EFDS takes a look at grassroots participation back here in Britain.
Today it’s table tennis, with Chris O'Flinn telling us about improving at the sport and making new friends.
I've played table tennis for four years.
I am 30 and I play two to three times a week at group sessions and in 1-to-1s with Wen Wei Xu, my Chinese coach at Brighton Table Tennis Club.
I used to play football and other sports but now I am totally committed to table tennis.
It’s the greatest sport in the world! I have got Down's Syndrome and hay fever., but I can play table tennis like anyone.
I enjoy table tennis because I'm getting much better.
I'm being coached and in the 1-to-1s and the group sessions I really want to be a champion and I want to commit to the sport and the club for the rest of my life. This is a big motivation for me.
Table tennis makes me feel like I've got a family at the club.
They are all supporting me. It feels absolutely amazing and I hope to help the club in the future. Iwant to do my Level 1 coaching qualification, and then I could teach young kids, other adults with learning disabilities and the Golden Oldies.
I don't see myself as disabled.
Being fit, strong, powerful and successful through achieving in table tennis makes me feel good. And being involved in the club has given me a new group of friends. I love going to tournaments and on trips. I feel I have had a very successful year and there is lots to look forward to.
