Powys Paralympian Rob Davies MBE secures guaranteed medal

Rob, originally from Brecon, managed to overcome a difficult opponent in world number three Kim Hakjin from Korea Republic – guaranteeing at least a bronze medal in class 1 singles.

Rob managed to recover from 9-6 down to take the first set 11-9 and then from 5-0 down in the second he produced a run of 11 consecutive points with some superb play and a variety of shots to which Kim had no answer.

It was a fierce battle for Rob in the quarter final (Image: ParalympicsGB/Sam Mellish)

But Kim was a tough competitor and after a timeout at 5-4 in the third he took the set 11-8 and went on to take the fourth 11-3 to level at 2-2 and take the match into a deciding fifth set.

OTHER NEWS:

• Man arrested in daytime raid on large-scale cannabis farm in centre of Welshpool
• Newtown man stole garden furniture, air fryer and more from shops over 7 months
• Newtown man denies knife charge and will face trial later this year

Kim looked to have taken control of the match at 5-0 but with cries of ‘Let’s go Robbie, let’s go’ from the British supporters echoing around the arena Davies fought back to level at 5-5 and went on to take the set 11-8 and the match 3-2.

“I felt pretty good at the end of the second set,” said Rob. “And it was pretty amazing to take 11 points on the trot.

“I felt I was starting to play well again and just needed to roll the ball on and make it a bit easier for myself but then I just went into self-destruct after that second set. It’s not the first time I’ve done it and I think I’m just a little match-rusty and it took me a while to not do that really and keep my focus.

Rob dug deep to win a medal at this year's Paralympics (Image: ParalympicsGB/Sam Mellish)

“At 5-0 down in the fifth I just sort of relaxed. I heard my brother and my wife shouting and some of the other GB supporters and I just dug deep somehow and played a bit more freely. I just dug in and got a few points here and there and just kept that pressure on him which I knew if I could do that he’d struggle.

“He’s a tough competitor and I lost to him last time I played him so I knew it was going to be a battle and I could have made it a bit easier for myself.

“I’m so grateful to be back on the Paralympic stage again. I’ve had a really tough four years – I had that issue that kept me out of Tokyo that didn’t just last that year, it lasted another two years and I’ve got to thank my PAs and the team - they’ve been my backbone really and they’ve been totally committed. It is that that’s got me back on track and without that I wouldn’t be here today.”