Best Paralympic sport ...

[Mad Doug Biker]

I'm going to the stadium for this evenings events. Looking fwd to an inspiring one!

My Parents will be there.

 

[Hitchington]

Wheelchair rugby (aka "murderball") starts tomorrow. I've been looking forward to this more than any other event in the Olympics/Paralympics.

Me too. Looking forward to seeing it!
I went to the Excel Centre last week and saw 4 different Paralympic sports, Judo, Table Tennis, Sit Down Volleyball and my favourite event of the day, Powerlifting.

 

[Trickedem]

We had an awesome day out on Sunday. Starting with the sitting volleyball we saw three great matches; China v Rwanda men, Netherlands v Ukraine (women), culminating in seeing GB win their first ever match against Morocco (men). The athleticism was amazing and it is very humbling when the teams come on, then proceed to remove their false limbs and get out of their wheelchairs to go on court.

We then went to the Olympic Stadium and watched loads of different events. Highlights were the blind discus throwers, Oliveira beating Pistorius in the 200m and David Weir winning gold in the 5000m. The roar in that stadium will stay with me forever.

 

[BrumJim]

Went to the ExCel centre last Saturday and saw some Table Tennis, Sitting Volleyball and Judo.
Judo - didn't really understand it, but was good to watch.
Sitting Volleyball - too much music, even between points, and UK women got a good thrashing from Netherlands, but enjoyed it nonetheless. Definitely a sport where the disability means nothing.

Table Tennis was great. Watched Paul Davies win his Class 1 match (wheelchair bound, bat strapped to hand) to rapturous applause. He looked like a real Gentleman, acknowledging the performance of the beaten man who had been at match point earlier on, getting the crowd to give him a big cheer too. Watched another match, and then went to the area behind the stadium and saw Paul Davies himself with his family. Had a quick chat with him, and he was great. Also saw many people have their photos taken with him - adults and children. Must be great to be such a star for someone whose life turned upside down following a motorcycle accident in 1986. His son has a true hero now.
Later on saw him after he lost his semi-final. He had been given a bad court - away from the crowds and near the press area, so had nothing like the same support. We tried to drum up some in our corner, but were fighting a loosing battle. He was gracious and stoical in defeat. His brother had lost his voice, and sister-in-law angry on the court allocation, but Paul was just as happy to stop and chat. Glad to hear that he got a bronze medal on Monday.

Blind football is great - brilliant watching people almost as bad as me at football, although the one-legged high jumper clearing a height that I can't even get close to jumping with two good legs was astonishing.

 

[dellzeqq]

much to my amazement - equestrianism. And the basketball is very, very clever.

 

[Beebo]

I appreciate the skill and tactics of the wheel chair racing. Those guys draft within mm's of each other.

 

[Night Train]

archery - ok, archery in a wheelchair isn't that drastic, but then one guy came out with no arms and proceeded to hold the bow with his foot and release the arrow with his mouth. he won silver.

Was it this chap?


If you check out his other videos you will see him as an archer.

 

[Maz]

Now on:


Blind football

I didn't see it.

So to speak.

 

[laurence]

Was it this chap?


If you check out his other videos you will see him as an archer.

indeed! he's quite the joker. when presented with his flowers he removed his shoes and held them up with his foot. he would also move his arm stumps to make the long sleeves of his jacket spin around. at the medal ceremony the gold winner reached out and held his sleeve aloft.

 

[laurence]

today = wheelchair fencing... awesome sport! i got to shake hands with a gold medal winner too, Mr Pender of Poland, you are gentleman.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

One thing which I have noticed which irritates me becuase of the complete arrogance of it is that, when referring to team GB, many English people call it England

'Oh we went to see England play last night..'

'Yeah it's England playing next...'

Are you really brought up to think there are no other countries in the UK?

Acht, the sooner we get Independence the better!

 

[MissTillyFlop]

Goalball is worth watching too, as is the sitting volleyball.

Out of all the sports I've actually seen at the 'Lympics so far, these 2 have been my favourite, although the horses in the Equestrian events are absolutely gorgeous, so I might have to modify my view somewhat (I also saw Britain win 2 golds at it it today!).

Its the road cycling at Brands Hatch tomorrow, so another early start for me!

Am off to the goalball final tomorrow - really excited. I also went to the wheelchair basket ball - that was brutal, amazing and the fastest, most gripping sport I have ever seen!

 

[User482]

much to my amazement - equestrianism. And the basketball is very, very clever.

Yes, I thought the wheelchair basketball was a far more interesting sport than the able-bodied version.

I went to the rowing last Saturday. Now, bearing in mind that in rowing, most of your power comes from your legs - watching rowers who could only use their arms and torso was nothing short of astonishing.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Am off to the goalball final tomorrow - really excited. I also went to the wheelchair basket ball - that was brutal, amazing and the fastest, most gripping sport I have ever seen!

I liked the Goal ball because they do it all by hearing and the fact that the Iranian players were real characters and made their game exciting to watch.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

How was it by the way?