At the fourth time of trying, 36-year-old, Paul Karabaradak finally picked up his first medals at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo and reflecting on the year he’s had, believes it’s his most “special” as a professional sportsman.
The Swansea-born para table tennis player suffered a massive stroke at the age of 10 and since then got a real passion for his sport after playing in his local youth club.
He went on to represent his country at a number of events, that have taken him across the world. However, it was the medals he won last summer in Tokyo that have meant the most to him.
“It was a big relief. It was fantastic. I’d worked towards it for such a long time, and you start to think it will never happen. I mean, I’d been to three Paralympics and I’d always wanted to win a medal so to have all my years of hard work and sacrifice pay off was fantastic.”
Although the experience of being in Tokyo was “a bit strange” to Karabardak, whilst we are all in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it did not take away from what he achieved whilst out there.
When comparing the medals that he has won throughout his career, his bronze and silver medals from the games will always mean the most to him.
“The Paralympics is the pinnacle. I’ve won a lot of great medals; World Championships, European Championships, I’ve won a lot of opens that have been special medals in themselves but to win medals in the games is extra special and I think it’s ultimately, it feels much more special than anything I’ve ever won.”
Paul won the bronze medal in the men’s class 6 singles and a silver in the class 6-7 team event, alongside his teammate, Will Bayley. Bayley being a six-time Paralympic medal winner.
Speaking about his teammate, Karabaradak was full of praise: “It was fantastic to play with Will. He’s one of the best in the world and he’s won a lot. He’s a big name in the sport and we’re really good friends as well, so, to play with him is a huge honour. It was really special.”
Looking ahead to the future, the Welshman isn’t slowing down yet.
“This year, I’m just training hard because I think there’s still a while before my first competition so I want to do well in them but the big one this year is the World Championships in Spain.
“Obviously, I want to try and win a medal there, in singles and doubles. I think the future holds; training hard, gaining more Olympic success, working hard and most importantly, enjoying what I do, and the sport that I love.”
Ben Evans Portfolio 