The New Zealand Paralympic Team made history today with Paralympic debutant Matt Britz being the first Kiwi representative in Para table tennis for 48 years. While in Stade de France Paralympian #208 William Stedman kick started his third Paralympic Games appearance in the Men’s Long Jump T36.
Paralympian #208 William Stedman competed in the Men’s Long Jump T36, the event where he claimed a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. In a field of nine loaded with experience Stedman placed fourth executing some fine jumps on the biggest stage.
The Kiwi’s first attempt soared out towards the six-metre mark but was adjudged a no-jump by what appeared a matter of millimetres. Opting for a safer second jump to ensure he registered a legal mark, a leap of 5.63m brought a smile of relief. With rising confidence, the Cantabrian advanced much closer to the medal picture in round three as he recorded an impressive 5.74m – within just 2cm of the three athletes in the provisional medal positions – Oleksandr Lytvynenko (Ukraine), Aser Mateus Almeida Ramos (Brazil) and Evgenii Torsunov (Neutral Paralympic Athlete) – each of whom recorded a best of 5.76m.
In round four, Stedman lost valuable distance from behind the board breaking the sand at 5.47m. However, striving to advance into the medal positions in round five the 24-year-old produced his second best jump of the day, recording a distance of 5.69m. Leading into the final round the 24-year-old Kiwi was still within 2cm of the athletes in the provisional medals, but despite his best efforts Stedman did not quite get his run-up right with his final attempt and registered a foul by running through.
A Paralympic record of 5.83m in the final round ensured Torsunov mounted a successful defence of his Paralympic title followed by Almeida Ramos (5.76m) and Lytvynenko (5.76m), who claimed silver and bronze, respectively.
Stedman said; “Obviously tough coming fourth by two centimetres and that is not what I came here to do but I gave it my all out there. After the first no jump I had to take one to get back into it, and then went hard for the last four jumps. I’m really happy with how I conducted myself, I gave it my all and mentally stayed present. I’m really happy with how I did that.
“I knew this competition was going to be tight as this class is really competitive especially in the long jump and that showed today. It is cool to be part of it and I was not far away. The last few jumps my legs felt a bit tired, but that is sport. We kept it simple and tried not to over think it. It was great having my coach George (Edwards) here. He has done so much work for so many years. Having my family and supporters here was very cool. It was an awesome atmosphere tonight and great to see how the crowds are supporting the Paralympics. It is great to be here and compete at the Paralympics.”
Stedman’s Paralympic dream was sparked by watching the London 2012 Paralympic Games as a 12-year-old Cantabrian. Born with Cerebral palsy, he joined his local club, attended Para athletics development camps, and by virtue of his incredible work ethic, his dream came true when he was selected for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games at just 16 years of age. Winning two bronze medals in Rio 2016 was only the start, and he has carved out an impressive career since setting a raft of national records and snaring Paralympic silver and bronze medals at Tokyo 2020.
Overnight (NZT) Paralympic debutant Matt Britz made New Zealand Paralympic history as the first Kiwi representative in Para table tennis for 48 years – playing his round of 16 match in the Men’s Singles Class 7 event at South Paris Arena.
His opponent Charlermpong Punpoo of Thailand ranked fifth in the world showed his experience to take the match 3-2, however Britz pushed the 43-year-old and took the match to a thrilling five games.
In a brutal knockout format 20-year-old Britz known as the Silent Assassin, was focused and determined. He showed the prowess of his backhand and took an early lead in the first game however 43-year-old Punpoo went on to win the game 11-6. In the second game Britz showed his grit resulting in being within two points of Punpoo at times throughout. Britz showed his powerful forehand shot with great back spin to reach game point, he won the second game, 12-10. Game three saw Britz take an initial lead through attacking play. However, Punpoo and his well-known powerful forehand meant he took the third game, 11-4. The fourth game was close and tense with a place in the next round at stake. The pair pushed through long and impressive rallies. Britz took the game, 13-11. This led to the fifth game decider. The vastly experienced and highly ranked Punpoo took the final game 11-5 and in doing so, won the match 3-2.
Britz said: “I knew what I had to do, I’ve played against this player before and his is a tough guy. I have struggled against him in the past but with the result that I got I am pretty happy with that. When it is a five-setter in a game like that it is almost like we are evenly matched. It is just down to who wants it more. Unfortunately, he wanted it more than I did, and I saw the passion that he had. Every point that he played was pretty awesome to see and to go up against him. My mentality was just hit the ball until it drops onto the floor it’s as simple as that. I’ve played many competitions, and I just repeated in my head, this is just another competition. May as well be on the world stage. This has been a really awesome experience, and I am looking forward to what happens next.
“I’m honoured to be the first New Zealand Para table tennis player in 48 years at the Paralympics. I guess now what I’m looking forward to is not only going to the next Paralympics but hopefully see some team mates there as well. We have some amazing players back home that are working hard and doing what they need to do to catch up to me and I’m positive that they will.”
Britz played various sports growing up in New Plymouth, but it was the rhythmic thrill of table tennis that captured his heart. Matt was born with Bailey-Bloch congenital myopathy, resulting in impaired muscle power, leg length difference and short stature. At the age of eight, Matt had joined his local table tennis club, and by the age of 13 had discovered Para table tennis. This gave him a profound sense of purpose and fulfilment and has helped him develop a successful mindset.
Day six (Tuesday 3 – Wednesday 4 September NZT) of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will be a busy one for the NZ Paralympic Team with Paralympian #205 Jesse Reynolds and debutant Lily-Fox Mason will be in the pool for the first time in the Men’s 100m Backstroke S9 and Women’s 100m Butterfly S10 respectively. They will be joined by Paralympian #164 Cameron Leslie returning to the pool in the Men’s 200m Freestyle S4. At Stade de France Paralympian #224 Anna Steven will commence her Paris 2024 campaign with the Women’s 200m T64 alongside Paralympian #195 Anna Grimaldi in the Women’s 100m T47. William Stedman will be back this time on the track in the Men’s 400m T36.
For a full guide of when to watch the Kiwis and other Paris 2024 related information go here.
