COVENTRY’s Sam Ingram will lead Great Britain’s four-strong judo team at the Rio Paralympics later this year.
The 30-year-old has been selected for his third consecutive Games along with debutants Jono Drane, Chris Skelley and Jack Hodgson.
Ingram will be looking to reach the podium for a third time having won bronze in Beijing back in 2008 and four years ago he finished runner-up at London 2012.
“My experiences in London have really spurred me on to Rio, and I’ve been working incredibly hard to ensure that I can give it everything when I go to compete,” said Ingram.
“The standard of competition is so high that every day counts. We’ve got months of intensive training ahead but I’m ready for the challenge.”
Coventry-born Ingram broke onto the international judo scene back in 2007 after finishing fifth at the European Championships in Serbia and one year later after getting the GB call for the Paralympic Games in Beijing, Ingram came home all smiles after securing a shock bronze medal.
His target four years later in London was to win gold but he was made to settle for silver on home soil.
He will lead the GB team in Rio later this year and head coach Ian Johns is confident they will be in with a chance of coming away with medals.
He added: “I’m really proud to confirm that these athletes have been selected to ParalympicsGB.
“They are hugely committed to their sport and I’m confident that they will give world class performances when they compete in Rio.”
The British Paralympic Association is urging the public to help the athletes on their journey by supporting the Supercharge ParalympicsGB campaign.
To find out more visit rio.paralympics.org.uk/news/article/supercharge-paralympicsgb
