Bolton athlete qualifies for Tokyo 2020 Paralympics

AN athlete with growth delay has qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics for wheelchair rugby.

Ayaz Bhuta from Bolton has Robert’s Syndrome which means he is just three foot seven inches and is playing for the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby team (GBWR) in Tokyo.

With the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games due to start on the August 24, the countdown is now on to see the currently ranked fourth in the world, the GB Wheelchair Rugby team.

Wheelchair rugby is a high impact, mixed team sport for male and female athletes who have impairments which affect both their arms and legs.

The only full contact Paralympic team sport, it never ceases to excite spectators who can’t quite believe what they are watching as chairs crash into one another, and athletes are sent flying across the court.

On Twitter he wrote: "Today was a rest day so we had the chance to explore the Paralympic village.

"The hard work starts tomorrow with our first training session in Japan."

A member of West Coast Crash, Ayaz has been playing the sport since 2009. Despite some setbacks, Ayaz was selected for the GBWR Development Squad in 2011.

A spokesman for the team said: “Ayaz has gone from strength to strength ever since, winning fans MVP at the World Championships and best 2.5 at the Canada Cup in 2014.

“Most recently he was part of the GB team which won the 2021 King Power Quad Nations Wheelchair Rugby Tournament in Leicester.

“He works just as hard of the court as he does on it, working in schools inspiring the next generation to achieve their dreams.”

Ayaz also works with a charity that helps support young migrants and refugees.

As a proud Muslim, Ayaz hopes to inspire others in his community and change perception towards disability.

The Bolton athlete has now flown out to Tokyo for the games starting next week.

0 Response to "Bolton athlete qualifies for Tokyo 2020 Paralympics"

Post a Comment