Jack is set for Games challenge
HALTON Table Tennis Club member Jack Hunter-Spivey is ready to take on the best players in the world as he prepares to compete in the Paralympic Games in Rio, which start next Wednesday.
“Preparation has been going really well,” said the 21-year-old, who recorded a win over the world champion Valentin Baus earlier this year and is currently ranked number seven in the world in men’s class five.
“Tommy (Urhaug) was in Sheffield last week training with me. He won gold in London 2012 so that was really good practice for me for the Games and I couldn’t be in a better situation really.”
Hunter-Spivey experienced London 2012 as part of ParalympicsGB’s Paralympic Inspiration Programme but will be making his Paralympic debut in Rio.
He said: “The Paralympic Inspiration Programme in London was a massive influence on me and it gave me a big fire in my belly to get to Rio as sitting in the crowd in London was amazing but it wasn’t where I wanted to be – I wanted to play.
“It means everything to me to be going to a Paralympic Games.
“I’ve dreamt about this since I was a little kid – to wear that shirt and go out there representing your country at the highest level is an absolute dream come true for me and I’m not sure you are going to find anyone at the Games more excited than me.
“It is my first Games so experience is going to be a massive key point for me.
“I haven’t got any overall goals of a medal but I do know that on my day I can beat anyone in the world so I’m just going to play my best table tennis and see what happens.”