By Paul Jones
Rob Davies was overjoyed to be back on the Paralympic podium after winning silver at Paris 2024, eight years after his first medal.
The table tennis player last competed at a Paralympic Games in Rio and won men’s singles class one gold but was unable to defend his title at Tokyo 2020 after he was side-lined with a shoulder injury.
In Paris, Davies was forced to settle for silver after falling 12-14, 7-11, 4-11 to Cuba’s Yunier Fernandez in the final.
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But after roaring back onto the biggest stage of them all after a difficult few years away, Davies was delighted at the way he has overcome the obstacles placed in his path and already has plans to go to LA – if his wife allows it.
“I’m overjoyed, my face might not be showing it right now because as an athlete you always want to win and not finish on a loss,” he said.
“I did everything that I could in that final and to get into the final in the first place was a real achievement for me.
“Beating the two guys I did in the knockouts made me really chuffed. I just want to go again now.
“I definitely intend to go to LA but I should probably talk to my wife about that. I just want to thanks everyone who has supported me on the way.”
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Paris 2024 was not without it’s challenges in the arena for Davies, who reflected on his third Games fondly.
The Welshman came through a nail-biting five set quarter-final against South Korea’s Hakjin Kim to guarantee himself another medal but was unable to find a way past Fernandez, who landed a hard-fought first set before kicking on.
“I’ve got a lot to take away from that final,” he said.
“He was producing some real fast rubbers which I couldn’t keep up with. It’s just something to get used to.
“I couldn’t alter quick enough in that match but I’m now ready for another go.”
Davies won silver in front of the friends and family who made the trip to the French capital to watch him and he is looking forward to sharing his latest success with them.
“It’s special to get back on the podium with my friends and family in the crowd,” he said. “I’m excited to go out and celebrate with them now tonight. I’ll definitely enjoy myself after such a long road to get here.”
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