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Inaugural GB Para-Badminton squad announced ahead of Tokyo 2020

GB Badminton has announced the nation’s first ever GB Para-Badminton squad as attentions turn to Para-Badminton’s debut as an official Paralympic sport in Tokyo 2020.

Rachel Choong playing Badminton

The GB Para-Badminton squad features nine players representing four classifications.

After finishing second on the medal table at the 2015 World Championships, Great Britain is considered a powerhouse in international Para-Badminton with strength in depth across all recognised classifications.

Five reigning world champions have been selected and all nine players named are holders of a World Championship medal.

The full GB Para-Badminton squad is:

  • Martin Rooke (Hertfordshire)
  • Daniel Bethell (Wiltshire)
  • Alan Oliver (Clackmannshire)
  • Bobby Griffin (Avon)
  • Rebecca Bedford (Staffordshire)
  • Rachel Choong (Merseyside)
  • Kristian Coombs (Devon)
  • Andrew Martin (Kent)
  • Jack Shephard (Derbyshire)

Headlining the squad is Rachel Choong, reigning three-time World Champion, in SS6. She said:

“I'm extremely happy and excited to have been selected for the squad. I love competing for my country and it also means that I'm one step closer to fulfilling my dream of competing in the Paralympics.
“Becoming a Paralympian would mean everything to me. It has been my dream to be a Paralympian since I was first introduced to Para-Badminton in 2007 and I hope that it will come true in Tokyo.”

Para-Badminton was granted Paralympic status in October 2014 after six years of lobbying and is one of the fastest growing disability sports.