Ealing’s Gaz Choudhry has expressed his delight at being selected by ParalympicsGB as part of their wheelchair basketball squad for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The 36-year-old, who had his right leg amputated due to bone cancer at age 10, has already got a Paralympic bronze under his belt from Rio 2016, alongside four European titles and a World title.

The Paralympics are being held from 24th August to 5th September after being delayed due to the pandemic, and the men’s wheelchair basketball team are ranked number one in the world.

Choudhry said: “It’s always special being selected to represent your country at a Paralympic Games, but I think these Games have even greater significance this time, because, if nothing else, they’re a humbling reminder of just how unique and special these experiences are.

“The Paralympics is always such a unique experience, there’s no other tournament we experience quite like it. We’re a team within our team at a Paralympics and it’s such a special experience being part of ParalympicsGB.

 “The sense of camaraderie that exists within this sport within the UK and beyond is like no other sport you will experience. There’s a chance at this point in history to really make an impact within our sport and this sport change’s people’s lives.”

Choudhry, who was introduced to wheelchair basketball by Gordon Perry at a British Wheelchair Basketball roadshow two years after his amputation, made his Great Britain debut at the 2009 BT Paralympic World Cup.

He made his Paralympic debut at London 2012, and with his GB teammates has since won European titles in 2013, 15, 17 and 19, as well as a World Championship in 2018.

ParalympicGB’s Wheelchair Basketball Team Leader, and British Wheelchair Basketball Performance Director, Jayne Ellis praised athletes’ commitment and resilience through all the uncertainty around international competitions.

She said: “Throughout the last 18 months I have watched in awe as time and time again these dedicated athletes have gone above and beyond, giving their all to this sport, completely focused on their ambition to represent their nation in Tokyo.

“For some this has been through converting garages into home gyms, and for others this has been sacrificing weeks away from their loved ones and family so that they can attend GB training camps.

“The selection news should also be credited to the selfless loved ones and families of our GB teams, this incredible support network is truly the team behind the team and their unwavering encouragement and support of our athletes should not go unrecognised.”

Athletes like Choudhry will be hoping that his Paralympic exploits will inspire the young people of Ealing to begin a wheelchair basketball journey - the squad announcement also marking the launch of British Wheelchair Basketball’s Paralympic Legacy Open Events, designed to provide an opportunity for those to get involved with the sport for the first time.

The events will take place across three weekends - 28th & 29th August, 4th & 5th September, and 11th & 12th September.

British Wheelchair Basketball have also recently launched their new Inspire a Generation programme which offers a fun six-week introduction to the sport. To find your local course, visit www.inspireageneration.com.