Para-Badminton Competitor looking to advance on colour of medal following a sensational comeback in Tokyo to secure a GB Bronze.
Speaking to Krysten earlier ahead of his game we discussed Tokyo 2020, his competitors for Paris 2024 as well as diving into what happens when he is not playing on the court.
This will be your second Paralympic game, how are you feeling?
I think it’s gonna be brilliant. I can’t wait. There is a side of me that is thinking ‘Oh, wow.’ That first time I step out on the court, there are going to be all these people which we don’t experience much in para-badminton because we don’t have a huge following when we go to international games. I just can’t wait to just get out there, take it all in, and enjoy the experience.
Tokyo was played behind closed doors due to COVID-19, will you have support this time cheering you on?
I think I’ve got about 15 close friends and family coming. Then we’ve got a lot of people I know through the dwarf sports association. Friends and people like that from other areas of the country have got their tickets and they can’t wait to come and watch us compete which is gonna be awesome because I think that’s the big bit about it isn’t it? It is having your friends and family there to cheer you on and just for you to do well.
Tokyo was a sensational final match and that saw you coming behind and then winning that bronze medal. This time around who do you think is your biggest competitor?
Probably, Chu Man-Kai from Hong Kong or Krishna Nagar from India. They’re the two lads at the moment who are who are pushing at the top of the rankings. But, you know, there’s a lot of us, there’s 11 lads that will be in the singles, you know on their day, any of them can do anything. I think it’s just a case of waiting until I get there and see the draw and then see what happens. However, I am feeling confident and ready to face whoever.
You recently played a game or two with the Duke and Dutchess of Edinburgh, what was that experience like?
It was awesome. It was a big tournament organised by All England for Abled-Bodied and we just happened to be there and lucky enough to have a hit with them. They were both pretty keen and enjoyed it. It was a great day.
Your schedule must be pretty grueling, what sort of hours are you putting in, in the run-up to the games?
It’s Monday to Friday, probably around four – three to four hours. For four to five hours on call with, two sessions as well in the week. We balance it out though and we’ve got a great team that makes sure that the week flows well and that you’ve got enough time to recover from one session to the other.
I think if I was to tell some people what I do, they’re geez, how do you manage to do that? but I think that for me now, it’s normal and I just sort of get up the next day.
Sometimes I just go ‘oh, do you know what? I’m really sore today, but I’m just gonna crack on and carry on’. Cause it’s what I love doing.
Before becoming a Para-Badminton athlete, you tried your hand at table tennis, what made you switch to badminton?
Badminton just fell in the right direction. It was partly to do with the category. So, our category with badminton is SH6, which is for, short stature and people with Dwarfism. In table tennis, I was just in an average category with other disabilities. So, it just seemed the right way to go. And I’m here now, going to my second Paralympics so, I made the right decision there.
Quick Fire Questions:
Three things you can’t live without:
Coffee, Sports, and my Phone
Favourite Film/Book
The Shawshank Redemption and the Harry Potter Books. Being an actor I should really mention my own, Game of Thrones or The Witcher!
Something you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Spending time with my wife, our two dogs. Going out for coffee and taking the dogs out for walks and just being outside with nature I suppose.
Which athlete are you looking forward to watching?
I wouldn’t say there’s anyone in particular. I know many of the table tennis lads, but any of my teammates really.
Do you think you can win?
That is the dream, I am confident at the moment and feeling good. I am in good shape and playing well. So, on my day, I don’t see why I can’t come away with a gold medal.
You can watch the Para-Badminton from the 29th of August to the 2nd of September. We wish Krysten the best of luck from all of us at Ability Today.
by Victoria Scholes, ADJ CFJ Alumni & Diploma Student
https://www.legallypowered.co.uk
Para Badminton begins on Thursday 29th August at 7.30am at Porte de La Chapelle Arena