Paralympian Dan Bethell’s dreams came true after winning ParalympicsGB’s very first badminton medal with silver in the men’s SL3 singles at Tokyo 2020. He is also a two-time world silver medallist and four-time European champion in his category. Dan shares his thoughts on his sport and training at Team Bath Sports Training Village (STV) ahead of the Paralympics in Paris this month.
This will be your second Paralympic Games. Do you feel at an advantage because of the experience you gained at Tokyo?
There are definitely advantages of having prior games experiences. Many of the Tokyo experiences such as living within the village and the intensity of the security and media at a games mean that I know what to expect. However, the impact of the pandemic meant that many elements were sadly lost in Tokyo, such as having full stadiums and large crowds. So I’m keeping a very open mind going into Paris as there’s still much I’m yet to experience.
This will be your second Paralympic Games. Do you feel at an advantage because of the experience you gained at Tokyo?
There are definitely advantages of having prior games experiences. Many of the Tokyo experiences such as living within the village and the intensity of the security and media at a games mean that I know what to expect. However, the impact of the pandemic meant that many elements were sadly lost in Tokyo, such as having full stadiums and large crowds. So I’m keeping a very open mind going into Paris as there’s still much I’m yet to experience.
Does achieving silver in Tokyo inspire you more to achieve gold in Paris?
Winning a silver medal at Tokyo was the fulfilment of a childhood dream, and to do it as part of the first Para-Badminton squad from Britain to attend a Paralympics and to be the first medalist made it extra special. Winning silver was amazing, but it was also bitter sweet, falling at the final hurdle. It has definitely inspired my recent form and I always use the memory of the disappointment I felt losing the final as motivation to train hard every day, so that when the time comes in Paris I’m in the best shape possible to win gold.
Was badminton your first choice of sport?
My first sport was tennis. However, after being inspired by the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and wanting to get involved I found that the only category in tennis at the Paralympics was for wheelchair athletes. Badminton suited me as I could transfer some of my tennis skills, such as hand-eye coordination. My best skills are my control and touch, particularly around the net. My category is half-court singles, which can aptly be described as the ‘marathon event’ in badminton. It’s a highly physical event, and I believe that this plays into my strengths as a player.
Did you always intend to be an athlete?
I’d always dreamt of being an athlete but for a long time it never looked possible. When I first started playing Para-badminton was not a Paralympic sport, so there was minimal funding available. I studied a law degree and a masters degree at the University of Bristol with the idea of becoming a lawyer, with badminton something I could continue alongside. It wasn’t until badminton was introduced into the Paralympic programme for Tokyo and the sport received UK Sport funding back in 2018 that my dream could become a reality.
What has been your experience at STV?
I first started playing tennis when I was 10 at the Sports Training Village and I did this for a couple of years. When I became interested in badminton, my tennis coach put me in contact with the badminton coach. I started attending the Team Bath futures sessions in 2012 until 2018 when I went full time. This was invaluable, giving me a core understanding of the sport.
In recent years, I have often used the training facilities when I’m not in Sheffield – where I train full-time with the British Para Badminton Squad – and have sparred with the university team. The facilities and services at Bath are second to none, and it has been amazing to use the world-class badminton training, strength and conditioning, and physio services. It has enabled me to maintain the high standard of training that I need.
How do you balance training in Sheffield with the British Para Badminton Squad with training at the STV?
My team in Sheffield have put a lot of time and hard work in to create an individualised programme for me that we know keeps me injury free and performing at my best. It has taken years to get right and takes a lot of effort to implement effectively. One of the best things about the team at Bath is their willingness to talk to my team up in Sheffield, and really buy into my ambitions and goals and adapt as best as possible to make sure training in Bath is as good as it is in Sheffield. There are obvious differences in the way that the two programs operate, so this communication and buy in from Bath has been crucial for me to train effectively and safely when at the STV.
How do you plan your game tactics?
There so many good players in my category, and the depth is growing year on year. We do a lot of analysis of all my opponents, as they all have different strengths and weaknesses. In Para-Badminton players with different disabilities compete against each other at the highest level. This adds an extra element as there is such a broad range of physical capabilities among the athletes that can influence how I approach a match. Each game plan is different and no two matches are ever the same. My biggest rival going into Paris is Nitesh Kumar from India. We’ve had lots of close matches over the last year and he’s a very good player, with exceptional racket skills, and I always need to make sure I’m on it when playing him.
How much has the sport changed over the time you have been involved?
Para-Badminton has changed hugely. Back in 2010 para-badminton was very much an amateur sport. You went because you enjoyed playing, but also there was a great social environment off court. You’d often go out for dinners and drinks with players from other nations. Since Para-badminton entered the Paralympics, the sport has become much more professional. Despite this the sport remains friendly and inclusive and I have made great friendships with athletes from all over the world. I would encourage anyone to come along and try it!!
Paralympic Games Paris 2024: 28 August – 8 September
paralympic.org