A WELLINGTON athlete is aiming to raise the funds that will help him achieve his dream of representing Great Britain at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.

Andrew Martin, 29, plays Para-badminton in the SS6 category, which is for achondroplastic (dwarf) players, and has already picked up gold medals in European and World Championships as part of his glittering CV.

The Tokyo games mark the first time that Para-badminton has been part of the Paralympics, and Martin is asking for public support to help him get there.

He said: “I’ve been playing badminton for over 20 years, and have seen Para-badminton expand hugely in the decade or so I have been playing competitively.”

He started as he meant to go on by picking up gold in the men’s doubles events at his first European Championships, in 2008, and repeated the feat in his World Championship debut five years later.

Last year it got even better for Martin, who said: “My mixed doubles partner, Rachel Choong and I did something that has never been done before when we completed the ‘double-double’ - World and European champions at the same time.” 

Players from all over the world now take part in Para-badminton, and Martin has his sights set on taking part in competitions in Japan and South Korea later this year.

As a self-funded athlete, however, going to such tournaments is easier said than done.

He said: “I have to work extra hours at work to ensure I can afford to go.

“My family have supported me throughout and are proud of what I do. But they can only go so far, especially for places like Japan and Korea. 

“My bank account has been hit hard - I have had sponsorship for rackets in the past but now I buy everything so the costs can be crazy.

“All the players are upping their game and you have to ensure you keep pace with that. That spurs me on.

“The fact it has become a Paralympic sport has simply pushed me on further - I’ve always wanted to be there, and ever since the announcement of 2020 a switch has gone on that has made me so focused on it.

“Just to go and compete would be amazing, and to come back with a medal would be a dream come true - nothing beats that. 

“There have been times when it’s been tough. You pick up injuries here and there – in the last World’s I picked up a back injury and couldn’t even do my shoelaces as I was in such agony. 

“Every setback makes me stronger and more determined to come back well.”

To support Martin in his dream, click here.