Pick of the Paralympics: Update

A few weeks ago I gave my picks of the Paralympics, which you can read here, so now it is only fair to update you on just how well they did.

Yesterday saw the 'golden summer of sport' come to an end with a magnificent pride parade of 800 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and with a combined 63 gold medals (185 in total) there was much to celebrate.

Before we look at the individuals, congratulations to every athlete who took part in the games and competed with dedication and integrity.



Lee Pearson

Pearson collected his 10th gold medal at London 2012 in the team dressage but, as he, himself declared, was a little disappointed with his bronze in the freestyle event.

He suggested that it was partly due to a particular judge, who marked him down. Controversial, yes, but if any of you caught him on The Last Leg (Channel 4s nightly Paralympic round up) then you will know that is nothing new.

He also won a silver in the championship dressage and has said he expects to compete in Rio 2016.



The Quadfather

It was not a good summer for Peter Norfolk, who despite winning a silver in the men's quad doubles, with partner, Andy Lapthorne, was not playing his best.

Taken out in the quarter finals by Israel's Sharaga Weinberg (3-6, 7-5, 6-0), he lost his Paralympic crown that he has held since 2004.

His strong will and self confidence brought him to the doubles final but he confessed to making silly errors and commended his partner for keeping them in the match for so long.

Although he has stated that he will, indeed, take a break he has not ruled out Rio.



Jordanne Whiley and Lucy Shuker

Whiley was knocked out early on, in the women's singles by Thailand's Sakhorn Khanthasit (3-6, 4-6), whereas, Shuker made it to the quarter finals, only to be beaten  in straight sets (4-6, 2-6) by Jiske Griffioen of the Netherlands.

But, the ladies didn't walk away from the Paralympics empty handed, Shuker and Whiley took bronze in the women's doubles and are hoping for even better in Rio.

Vergeer of the Netherlands, who has been on a legendary winning streak continued her success and took gold in both the singles and doubles, truly amazing.



Eleanor Simmonds MBE

Eleanor Simmonds did amazingly well at London 2012, coming away with two gold medals (400m freestyle S6 and 200m individual medley SM6) a silver (100m freestyle S6) and a bronze (50m freestyle S5) and has set herself up for high expectations at the Rio games.

The whole GB swimming team did very well, coming in 7th in the swimming medal chart with 39 medals over all (7 gold).



David Weir

Now a household name David Weir won the hearts of the nation when he brought in 4 gold medals to add to team GB's medal haul.

Carrying the British flag at the closing ceremony on Sunday evening, Weir's four incredible golds came from the the men's 1500m, 5000m 800m and the marathon (T54).



Libby Clegg

Libby Clegg came away with a silver medal in the women's 100m T12, breaking the European record in the process, unfortunately, she failed to qualify in the women 200m T12.



Darren Kenny OBE

It was silver in the mixed team sprint (C1-5) and bronze in the individual pursuit (C3) for Darren Kenny, a solid performance, but perhaps not as well at the GB cycling team would have wanted.



The Ones That Got Away

The Paralympics threw up two home grown talents that I thought captured the spirit of, not only the games, but the level of competition and dedication the athletes put themselves through on a daily basis.

Having already won three golds and two bronze medals at previous Paralympic games (1996 to 2004) in the men's swimming, Jody Cundy, decided to try cycling as a competitive sport, competed in Beijing 2008 and won gold in 1km time trail (C4).

When Cundy was disqualified in London 2012 (you can read about it here) his chance to defend his title was over, and his subsequent outburst of anger reminded us just how hard these people train for; just for that minute, on that day.

His passion and dedication was clear, and, although some found it a little over dramatic, it provided one of the most talked about moments of the games and what is known as 'throwing a Cundy' is now a trendy colloquialism.

From the lows of despair, and feelings of being cheated out four years hard work, to the birth of a new star.

Jonnie Peacock only completed in his first international race earlier this year, now the fasted single-amputee in the world, Jonnie went on to take gold for GB in the Men's 100m T44.

At only 19, Jonnie Peacock promises to be an athlete to look out for in Rio 2016.

Congratulations to all the athletes!

Pick of the Paralympics

So as the world starts to pack down its news tents and media hubs in London’s east end and the reports and articles look to wrap up the golden success of team GB at the London Olympics not a mention goes to the pending Paralympics which hopes to be Britain’s greatest medal haul yet.

Out of all the 13 Paralympics there have been Great Britain has won a total of 1426 medals (493 gold) and is only second to the USA, we should be making a real deal about passing the 500 gold medal mark in London 2012.

The Paralympics began in 1948 with a small group of British WWII veterans and has gone from strength to strength. This year, the 14th Paralympic games, there are to be over 500 games in 21 competitive sports and over 4200 athletes and it is all going to be captured for our viewing pleasure on Channel 4 with what is set to be the largest media coverage of the Paralympics ever.

So what better time then to get clued up on the hottest Papalympian sporting talent on offer this summer?

Pearson

Lee Pearson 

The Olympic Equestrian team may have waited 60 years for their gold medal but Paralympian Pearson has been trotting them out since 2000.With 9 Paralympic golds already he is looking to expand on the British dominance in the Para-equestrian events at London 2012.

Expect to see Paralympic Team GB galloping to success between 30th August to 4th September.

The Quadfather. 

Peter Norfolk

Otherwise known as Peter Norfolk, at the age of 51 he is one of Britain's most talented wheelchair tennis players with 19 Gram Slams, 3 Championships and 4 Paralympic medals (2 gold). 

London 2012 sees Norfolk trying to defend his Paralympic men's singles title. He is also squad leader for GB wheelchair tennis team that are hoping to make some medal gains in the women's singles and doubles.

Jordanne Whiley and Lucy Shuker

Lucy Shuker British number 1 and world number 10 wheelchair tennis player is hoping to grab her first Paralympic medal this year. After only turning pro in 2002 she seems to have the the same British luck the able-bodied competitors have had. But can she be spared on by the fantastically confident Murray Olympic gold? 

Shuker's doubles partner Jordanne Whiley is also hoping to make an impact this year. Whiley was the world's junior number 1 Chapion in 2009 and this year has seen both Whiley and Shuker playing very well , making it to the Wimbeldon wheelchair finals they lost out to Ester Vergeer and Aniek von Koot of the Netherlands.

Whiley and Shuker

This was perhaps expected given that Vergeer is currently playing with an unprecedented 457 match winning streak. She hasn't lost a match since January 2003 and with 42 Grand Slams, 22 Championships and 5 Paralympic titles she is the biggest threat to all wheelchair tennis players at London 2012.

The tennis will start on Saturday 1st September.

Eleanor Simmonds MBE

At just 17 she already has an MBE and 2 gold Paralympic medal. In Beijing she was the youngest British athlete at the games (just 13) and will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of other great swimmers such as Tricha Zorn, the most decorated Paralympian of all time with 51 medals in total (37 gold).

Eleanor Simmonds

In 2008 team GB won 41 medals in the pool putting them 4th in the table of medals. This included 11 golds, a number we are hoping to build on this year with excellent dedicated athletes like Simmonds. The swimming events take place throughout the games.

David Weir

David Weir

If Jess Ennis is the face and spirit of the GB Olympic athletics team then David Weir is the very same to the Paralympic team. Heading up the 49 strong squad GB is looking to expand on the progression it made in track and field at Beijing 2008 where they won 2 golds out of a possible 160 placing us 18th in the athletic table.

Weir is again our best hope for gold, with two Paralympic gold under his belt already and a strong, winning performance at the London Marathon earlier this year he is going to be one to watch.

Libby Clegg

Clegg

Current world champion Clegg won a silver in the 2008 100m and we will all be routing for her to repeat the success she has had in the IPC Athletics European Championships where she won the 100m and 200m. This is going to be a very exciting competition for Clegg. 

The athletics start on Thursday 30th August and continue right up to the closing ceremony.

Darren Kenny OBE

We all know who Chris Hoy is but what about Darren Kenny? Well there is a reason he is an OBE and that is because of his 15 gold medal success, 5 of which are Paralympic golds. 

Darren Kenny

Kenny will be wanting to dominate the velodrome and replicate the record-breaking success of the Olympic team which should not be too hard to envision given the golden performance made in Beijing 2008, 16 golds and 4 silver.