The Paralympics are under way in Paris and there are plenty of Kent competitors bidding to shine in the City of Light.
Cyclist Matthew Robertson has already won a medal for the county when he came third in the men’s C2 3,000m individual pursuit at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yves velodrome on Friday. But who are the other Kent hopefuls bidding for glory in France?
Here’s who to cheer on between now and September 8.
Will Bayley (table tennis)
Arguably one of Kent’s most famous Paralympians, Tunbridge Wells’ Will Bayley has won titles at world, European and Commonwealth Games level.
He made his Paralympics debut at Beijing in 2008, won Class 7 singles silver at London 2012 before claiming the Class 7 singles title at the Rio Paralympics four years later.
A silver medallist three years ago at the delayed Tokyo Games, Bayley is targeting a second Paralympics gold medal in the MS7 class and as world No.1 goes into the event, on September 6, as one of the favourites.
However he was beaten alongside partner Martin Perry in the quarter-finals of the MD14 doubles.
Iona Winnifrith (swimming)
New kid on the block Iona Winnifrith is the youngest member of the Aquatics GB squad to win a Paris call-up after her selection for her first Games aged just 13.
Winnifrith, who represents Tonbridge Swimming Club, cites swimming legend Ellie Simmonds as her role model and is the same age as Simmonds was when she won gold at Beijing in 2008. She has three chances to emulate her hero – in the SM7 200m individual medley, SB7 100m breaststroke and S7 50m.
She makes her Paralympic bow today (Saturday).
Callie-Ann Warrington (swimming)
Born in Maidstone, Ashford’s Callie-Ann Warrington also makes her Paralympics debut in Paris. Don’t expect nerves, though. Warrington, 24, has already shone on some of the biggest stages winning European gold in Madeira earlier this year.
She is taking part in two events – the S10 100m butterfly and the S10 100m freestyle and starts her campaign on Sunday.
Liam McGarry (powerlifting)
Dartford’s Liam McGarry knows how good it feels to win gold after total lift success at the 2023 World Para Weightlifting Championships in Dubai.
The 27-year-old made his major championships debut at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham but missed out on a medal – maybe he can make amends in the over-107kg event on September 8?
Henry Urand (triathlon)
Multi-talented Henry Urand, who celebrates his 22nd birthday this weekend, goes into the Games having switched disciplines from para cycling under the talent transfer programme last year.
He went on to become British champion in August 2023, won at the World Triathlon Para Cup in October before securing his first World Series podium in his maiden race of the 2024 season in Davenport.
Urand, from Ashford, is going for the ultimate glory in the PTS3 class on September 1 at Pont Alexandre III.
Ollie Mangion (wheelchair rugby)
Sheldwich’s Ollie Mangion, 28, gets a much-deserved shot at the Paralympics after international experience on other stages – including the Canada Cup, the Quad Nations Series and last year’s European Championships in Wales.
Mangion won a silver at the latter and his Paralympics GB side have already got off to a good start in Paris – beating old enemies Australia 58-55 and Denmark 55-53.
Most Valuable Player during his time with Canterbury Hellfire, he will need to bring his A-game when GB take on hosts France tonight (Saturday).
Zak Skinner (athletics)
Sporting prowess runs in the Skinner family, for Zak, who contests the 100m and long jump, starting tomorrow (Sunday), is the son of England rugby union legend Mickey Skinner.
Born blind, Zak, from Sevenoaks, regained some of his sight by age two and went on to compete at both European and world level, winning T13 long jump Euro silver in 2018 and taking gold in both jump and sprint at the 2021 Europeans.
The Games will be his second Paralympics. Three years ago in Japan he was eighth in the 100m and fourth in the long jump.
Victoria Kingstone (archery)
Victoria Kingstone, who grew up in Rainham, played wheelchair basketball but stopped due to osteoporosis. However, she discovered a natural talent for archery after taking part in a UK Sport taster session back in 2017 and the rest, as they say, is history.
She made her international debut a year later and qualified for the Games after winning mixed team bronze at last year’s European Para Championships.
Her Paris campaign began on Thursday and she is due in action today (Saturday).
