Flying paddler to woo India
He has become popular as “the flying paddler” for his “superman shot” during London 2012 Paralympics. In spite of losing the game, table tennis player David Wetherill’s superman shot during the fourth set has got more than six million hits on YouTube. And after UK, he has maximum fan following from India on Facebook.
One of the youngest participants in the London 2012 Paralympics, 23-year-old David says that Paralympics are now at par with Olympics and thinks London’s training programme for para players is an ideal model that India can learn a lot from.
“The challenges of Olympians and Paralympians are not very different. However, I believe paralympian needs a sensitive approach in training on how to avoid injuries, take proper nutrition and undergo mental training to perform under pressure,” says David.
David, who is planning to visit India in association with sports coaching company, Pro4Sports Solutions this year says, “I would like to meet paralympians from India and share my experiences with them. I like to push myself and achieve what others think is impossible for me and this is the message I would like to share with them.”
David is pleased to see that people are becoming sensitive towards para players and wants audiences to appreciate Paralympians as sports personalities. “I don’t consider myself a differently-abled player. And I want people to appreciate our abilities instead of just sympathising with our disabilities,” he says. Due to a rare genetic bone development disorder, called Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia, David uses crutches to walk.
David is back to training and gearing up for the next Paralympics. “I was a bit disappointed after losing. But this time I am hopeful of winning a medal,” wraps up David.
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