Is Will the man to take a coveted award?
GROOMBRIDGE'S table tennis Paralympic hopeful Will Bayley insists taking gold at this summer's Games would surpass the honour of being crowned world number one.
The 24-year-old got the top ranking in January, after becoming European champion for his classification in October.
He said being named as the top dog was a special moment but that medals were now his priority.
"It just felt incredible to get that – I've always wanted to be number one, it's an amazing feeling to be the best in the world at something," he told the Courier at the Byng Hall Table Tennis Club in Tunbridge Wells, where he has trained since the age of ten.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
"But now it means more to me to win medals. If I was number 25 and got gold at London 2012 I wouldn't care about the ranking.
"That's the dream but, for the time being, I've just got to focus on my first match."
Bayley, who occasionally returns to Groombridge away from his base at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, said he was trying not to think about pressure as he heads into this summer's games and despite his desire to win, said he was trying to enjoy the experience.
And after a less than impressive performance in Beijing four years ago, he knows piling pressure on himself and feeling overconfident will get him nowhere.
"I just want to go and enjoy the Games and don't want to put too much pressure on medalling," said Bayley, who has a joint condition named Arthrogryposis, which prevents movement in certain joints, such as the wrists and ankles.
"The first match is the most important thing for me. I went into Beijing and was a bit arrogant to be honest, saying 'I'm going to win the gold medal' but it doesn't work like that.
"I'm sure others will feel pressure if they have to play a British player in the first round, with the crowd behind him.
"I want to go there and just try and enjoy it. Training's going really well at the moment. I just need to keep training hard and do my best."
Do you think Bayley should be sports personality of the year?
Comments