GOLDEN GB PARA SUCCESS AT CHINA OPEN

Further success for the GB Paralympic squad has been achieved at the China Open. In an event inevitably dominated by China, one gold, two silvers and one bronze for Great Britain is an excellent return from the five players who all won at least one medal.

The gold medal won by Aaron McKibbin and Ross Wilson in Class 8 Team event was clearly a major performance. In a four team event with only Sweden missing from the top 5, Great Britain took gold on count back with wins over Poland 3-1 and Belgium 3-0 and a 2-3 loss to China during which Ross beat the individual champion reversing his singles loss.

Individual highlight was Sara Head’s silver in the Women’s Class 3 singles – only losing to the top Chinese player. Two fourth places for Jane Campbell (Class 3) and Aaron McKibbin (Class 8) and two last eight places for Scott Robertson (Class 5) and Ross Wilson (Class 8) who so nearly beat the eventual champion losing 2-3.

In the Team Event, apart from Aaron and Ross, two medals were won. Jane and Sara also won silver in Class 1-3 with Sara reversing the individual result against the Chinese champion. Scott playing with Tommy Urhaug of Norway in Class 4-5 won bronze.

Gorazd Vecko – BTTAD Performance Manager – and Greg Baker – BTTAD Head Coach – are understandably delighted with the progress made; the next 2 events are in May in Slovenia and Slovakia with almost the whole squad playing.
Mike Smith