'I've fallen in love with the game all over again': Swansea's Paul Karabardak takes home two medals

Swansea's Paul Karabardak has claimed a silver medal at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020.

Competing alongside Will Bayley in the Class 6-7 team event, the duo lost out in the final to China 2-0.

But the pair fought bravely, holding the strong Chinese team to some tight matches.

Reflecting on the game, Karabardak said "It was a difficult match against the Chinese and it was always going to be a struggle, they're such a dominating force in table tennis.

"We just wanted to go out there and give it our best. Our first aim was to beat Spain in the semi-final and we did that and it was fantastic."

It is the second medal of the Games for Karabardak who also bagged a bronze in the men's Class 6 singles.

The medals Karabardak will take back to Swansea are his first from the four Games he has competed in.

For him, lockdown has revived his love of the game.

"It's just been a joy to play table tennis again. I think I missed that and to come back and then to start playing properly again has just been amazing.

"I didn't know that I missed it so much and I think that's one of the reasons for the performances I've had, I've just fallen in love with the game all over again."

It's not just the game of table tennis that Karabardak loves, the Swans fan is eager to get home to see his football team play for a very special moment.

"I've been asked to go onto the pitch at the next Swansea home game and I'm a massive Swansea fan so that will mean everything to me to walk out there with my medals and the Jack Army cheering."

Elsewhere Beth Munro became the first ever British Para-taekwondo medallist, taking silver in the -58kg category final.

The 28-year-old lost out to Denmark's Lisa Gjessing.

Meanwhile Rio 2016 champion, Hollie Arnold, could not retain her title in the Javelin - F46.

Arnold took bronze in a tight competition, losing out to New Zealander Holly Robinson and the Netherlands' Noelle Roorda.

And Cwmbran archer Dave Phillips has bowed out of the Men's Recurve Individual, losing out in the last eight.

He will compete in the team event on Saturday.