Rachel Choong Team Announcement 1200

There are now just 15 days until the 2024 Paralympics get underway in Paris. The ParalympicsGB badminton squad has been selected, including three returning Paralympians and one debutant, and each of them is writing a blog on the Badminton England website. Next is Rachel Choong who is the only member of the squad yet to experience a Games…

Paris 2024 acts as an opportunity to make up for lost time as I make my Paralympic debut, three years on from being forced to watch Tokyo 2020 from the commentary box.

I initially dreamt of making my inaugural Paralympic outing in the Far East, hoping to stamp my mark as para-badminton was at long last introduced to the Games.

However, my classification, SH6, was not included in Tokyo, stripping me of the chance to compete on the court.

I was devastated by the decision and it brought me to a point where I was not sure if I wanted to continue playing anymore. I had been playing the sport for such a long time, but I was not sure if I could continue to invest so much into it.

That said, my inability to play did not stop me going out to Japan and immersing myself in the event, doing so as a commentator.

It was incredibly special to commentate on the sport I love, but in watching the likes of Dan Bethell and Krysten Coombs medal from up in the press box, my desire to be on the court with them only burned brighter.

It was an itch that I was not being allowed to scratch and it made me ever more desperate to compete on the Paralympic stage.

Now, with Paris 2024 on the horizon and my classification finally in the mix, I am about to achieve a dream that four or five years ago I thought was impossible. I was on the cusp of quitting and I am so glad I didn’t.

I would be lying if I did not say I was feeling the nerves ahead of my Paralympic debut, but I am so excited. Playing in front of thousands of people will not be the norm for me, and after experiencing the eerie, echoey atmosphere of Tokyo, having an enthusiastic crowd back in the stands will make Paris extra special.


Of course, my goal is to bring back two medals in both the singles and the doubles. I have just got to focus on putting in strong performances, hoping that it pays dividends and results in some silverware.

Partnered with Jack Shepard, who will also be hellbent on bagging a first Paralympic medal, we go into the Games full of confidence as the current world number ones and I think we have got a good chance of bringing home a medal.

And in the singles, I know it’s going to be tough but it won’t stop me from giving it everything I’ve got. It’s really exciting.

Regardless of what comes out of Paris, to finally get that chance to compete at a Paralympic Games is a fantasy come to life.

I hope to act as an inspiration to those watching on, raising awareness for the joys of parasport and helping move it into the mainstream.

Sport has this special ability to bring a lot of people together and I think we need to utilise that, making competition accessible to everyone regardless of gender, disability, background or age.

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