Who is Paralympics taekwondo star Matt Bush and why did he withdraw from the Tokyo Games?
MATT Bush is the Paralympic taekwondo star aiming for gold at the Paris 2024.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Welsh paralympian.
Who is Paralympics taekwondo star Matt Bush?
Matt was born in South-West Wales, in St Clears, Carmarthenshire.
He was born on December 22, 1998 and initially took an interest in shot put.
Matt switched sport when taekwondo was added to the Paralympic roster.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Matt became a key worker and helped supply food to local shops in his hometown.
Why did Matt Bush withdraw from the Tokyo Games?
Matt was forced to pull out of the Tokyo Paralympics, because he was recovering from an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury.
He was replaced by his teammate Joe Lane.
The Paralympian had previously been forced to withdraw from the 2016 Paralympics, when a shoulder injury prevented him from competing in the javelin event.
Before the Paris 2024 Games, he told BBC Sport: “I don’t know how lucky it’s going to be until I get there.
“I was close in Tokyo – I qualified, got selected and was right on the doorstep [before injury], so hopefully I get to go this time.”
When will Matt Bush compete in the Paralympics?
The Paralympics began on September 28, 2024 and they’ve been off to a thrilling start.
Matt will compete at the games on August 31, 2024, in the men’s 80kg taekwondo.
The 80kg taekwondo will begin at 9am.