ParalympicsGB selects first ever Badminton athletes for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

Jack Shephard and Dan Bethell will make history when they become the first players to represent ParalympicsGB at the sport of Badminton’s inaugural games at Tokyo 2020.

Badminton is the world’s fastest racket sport and is one of two new events added to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games programme alongside Taekwondo.

Number two in the SH6 world rankings, Jack Shephard has won back-to-back World Championship Singles titles in 2017 and 2019, marking an incredible comeback after major surgery five years before his maiden triumph.

Dan Bethell competes in SL3 Men’s Singles and is ranked second in the world. He is a three-time European champion and took silver at the 2019 World Championships in Basel.

Following a long break in competitive action during the Covid-19 lockdowns, Dan made a successful return to the court by winning the 2021 Spain International, the final tournament before the Paralympics in Tokyo.

Jack Shephard said: “It has always been a distant dream of mine to become a Paralympian and it is now right around the corner. I am ready to go and I can’t wait for the Games to begin.”

Dan Bethell said: “This is something I have been driving towards for the last decade. For it to be just eight weeks away now is surreal. I am 110% ready to give everything to try to win a gold medal at Tokyo 2020.”

Richard Morris, GB Para Badminton Head Coach, said: “It is a dream come true for the squad. All our hard work and efforts are going to be seen on the biggest stage of them all.

“We have shown that we can perform with the best players in the world and I can’t wait to be in Tokyo as we compete for the biggest prize of them all.”

ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe said: “It is incredibly exciting to welcome a new sport and athletes to ParalympicsGB as Badminton makes its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games this Summer.

“I am delighted to welcome Jack and Dan, who are clearly world class athletes, to the rapidly growing ParalympicsGB team and look forward to seeing just what they are capable of on the court at Tokyo 2020.”

A total of around 240 athletes from 19 sports are expected to make up the British team that will compete in Japan, with further names to be announced in the coming weeks.

ParalympicsGB captured the imagination of the British public at London 2012 winning 120 medals in front of sell-out crowds with countless memorable performances.

The team eclipsed that performance at Rio 2016 winning an outstanding 147 medals including 64 golds to finish second in the overall medal table. The rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be staged from 24th August to 5th September.