JOSHUA OFF TO TOKYO
JUBILANT Joshua Stacey believes he’s finally come of age after rapidly rising through the table tennis ranks and booking his place at the Paralympic Games.
Cardiff star Stacey, 21, was last week officially selected in a 13-strong ParalympicsGB team for the Games alongside defending champions Will Bayley and Rob Davies.
Stacey only discovered he had a disability – and was therefore Paralympic classified – two years ago but has embarked on a searing journey since transitioning to the para discipline.
He was crowned Under-21 Welsh national champion last year, is currently ranked world No.8 in the Class 9 singles and scooped silver at the Finland Open in 2019.
And Stacey, one of over 1,000 athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, said: “It’s pretty surreal – to be gearing up to compete in my first Games is incredible and something I never imagine being possible. But I’m very glad that it is.
“I can still remember coming in with all the boys who are still here now and feeling a bit like a child among men – but within two years I’ve really felt like I’ve become a part of the family.
“I think it’s really helped me become a better player – and also a better person.
“As soon as I realised I had a disability and there was a possibility of me being classified, I think it was something I’d always looked at.
“Regardless of the tournament, preparation should always be very similar – but it’s a huge stage and it’s a huge occasion.”
UK Sport’s National Lotteryfunded World Class Programme allows Stacey train full-time, access the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering technology, science and medical support.
He only became Paralympic classified a couple of years ago but has never looked back since storming onto the circuit.
Stacey beat world silver medallist Iurii Nozdrunov on his way to that Finnish silver and has catapulted himself into Tokyo contention with a string of consistent results. He’s taking every experience in his stride and hopes keeping his feet on the ground can hold the key to success on the Japanese table.
“I’m quite well-versed in trying to prepare myself the best I can so I can perform when it matters having played able-bodied and the World Championships,” added Stacey, who is bidding to add to the 864 Olympic and Paralympic medals won by Great Britain and Northern Ireland athletes since the advent of National Lottery funding in 1997.
“I want to take every game as it comes –really delve into the deeper parts of the game and try and really push whoever I’m playing to beat me instead of giving them chances to win.”
No one does more to support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes than National Lottery players, who raise around £36 million each week for good causes. Discover the positive impact playing the National Lottery has on sport at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk and get involved by using the hashtags: #TNLAthletes #MakeAmazingHappen