Competitions

Gaz Choudhry has spent over a decade representing Great Britain on the international stage; competing at three Paralympics Games, winning four European golds medals, a historic World title and two Paralympic bronze medals. 

His latest medal triumph came just a few weeks ago in Tokyo and it was, arguably, his greatest honour yet; leading ParalympicsGB to a brilliant bronze medal in Tokyo after stepping-up to the role of men’s player-coach just days before Tokyo 2020 after GB’s Head of Coaching and Tactical Development, Haj Bhania OBE, was unable to travel due to COVID regulations.  

The way Choudhry led the bronze-medal winning team and delivered outstanding individual performances has seen the 36-year-old recognised on the shortlist for The National Lottery’s Paralympian of the Year – and you can vote for Gaz here. 

“What this team achieved in Tokyo is remarkable,” Choudhry said after returning from Tokyo. “It is a huge honour and privilege to be named on the shortlist with so many great athletes who have created moments in history, but this is as much about the team as it is myself because what we achieved was only possible because of the group and I’m really, really proud to represent the team.” 

The ParalympicsGB team captivated audiences back home with their resilience and determination to overcome considerable challenges during their preparation, including as they headed out to compete in Tokyo, and during the competition itself. 

It was an outstanding team effort by all involved and that for Choudhry is the biggest takeaway from the summer; the way the team has come together to finish on the podium once again at a Paralympics Games. 

“Anyone who has ever played a team sport will know the amount of stress the dynamics of a team can give, but when you have an experience like this with 11 other brothers and support staff, the biggest complement I can pay this team is what a privilege it is to play a team sport and being part of this team has made me realise just how lucky I am to be playing wheelchair basketball,” Choudhry added. 

But as much as Choudhry is keen to deflect praise of his leadership and standout contributions to the rest of the team, the ParalympicsGB men have individually conveyed admiration and respect for Choudhry’s leadership both on and off the court throughout the tournament and upon achieving their bronze medal. 

Being a player-coach is a rare occurrence in elite sport but, while Choudhry admits it took a couple of games to get used to, he and the rest of the team adapted seamlessly to the role change and what was asked of them on the biggest of sporting stages. 

“It took a couple of games to find that balance and, personally, I referred back to the idea of being completely engaged with each role I had,” Choudhry said. “When I was playing, for me in terms of mindset and having a long, long mediation practice helped with this as I had to be completely engaged as an athlete. But as soon as there was a break in play to completely engage with the coaching side, I made sure that I got the messages we needed across, and I suppose it was just luck that it seemed to work out. 

“But I know one of the narratives maybe was it was all being managed by one person, but it really wasn’t; it was a huge team effort from everyone including all of the support staff who were absolutely amazing and they really were invaluable, and I include the players in that. 

“Lee Manning, Ian Sagar, Terry Bywater, Abdi Jama, along with the guys playing a lot of minutes like Harry [Brown] and Gregg [Warburton] and some of the less experienced guys, they filled in the gaps that were needed and everyone played their own part on and off the court.” 

Alongside his additional coaching responsibilities, as an athlete on court, there was barely a quarter in which Choudhry didn’t show up to score his share of the points. The three-time Paralympian led the points scoring for ParalympicsGB with 132 points, the fourth highest across the tournament, and was GB’s top-scorer in all but one of their games in Tokyo. 

Alongside his impressive points tallies, Choudhry recorded the most assists of any GB player and the third most across all nations (61 assists), recording four double-doubles including a triple-double in the quarter-final against Canada. 

Throughout the tournament, ParalympicsGB, including Choudhry, had to dig deep, coming back to win, including their 66:52 quarter-final victory over Canada and against Australia in the pool stage when GB came from 20 points down to top Pool B. 

Their fightbacks – both thrilling and nail-biting to watch back home – had fans at home captivated, while on the court in Tokyo it was all about belief. 

“We just absolutely had a belief that we could comeback from any kind of deficit, maybe to our detriment at times, but sometimes it’s not always a case of making tactical adjustments, it’s just a case of showing your fight and we saw that in the Australia game. 

“We never lacked self-belief, and for us it was all about being courageous and just rolling the dice whenever we could. We knew this summer has not gone our way; we weren’t the favoured team there, but we knew that if we gave it our best and left everything out there then we could look at each other and be proud of each other.” 

After defeat to the host nation Japan in the semi-finals, Choudhry rallied his team once again, top-scoring in ParalympicsGB’s 68:58 victory over Spain in the bronze medal match as the team secured their fourth bronze medal from the last five Paralympic Games. 

“We were devastated after the Japan game, but it was important to not just discount that and move on straight away, it was important for us to feel the loss, go through the process, absolute grief, it’s been five years since the last Paralympic Games, so for me it was important for the team to absolutely feel what we were feeling. 

“I made a point after the bronze medal game that the bronze validated the team from the outside, but we felt we validated ourselves. All of us, individually, myself, the 11 other guys and all the staff had given everything they could, there was going to be no regrets, and I think we just played that way as well and it manifested on the floor, that was our underlying spirit of the team. 

“For me right now, bronze feels very much like unfinished business, if I’m honest, we know this team is capable of more and in three years’ time in Paris, hopefully, we will get a chance to go one game further and two medals higher on the podium.” 

From superb team performances to thrilling fightbacks and tense finales, including ParalympicsGB’s stunning one-point victory over Paralympic champions USA in the pool stage, Choudhry says the Tokyo competition was a brilliant advert for Wheelchair Basketball. 

“I think all the Tokyo Paralympic games were a fantastic advert for our sport; games going down to the wire, the Australia game, the USA game, the semi-final against Japan, the quarter-final against Canada. Even the final, USA versus Japan. There were so many close games, so many tight games and what an advert for our sport, which is absolutely a world class sport with so many layers of analysis. 

“You can marvel at it for its athleticism, you can marvel at it for the individual brilliance, you can marvel at it for the team dynamics, you can be absolutely blown away by the execution and tactics if you’re a fan of basketball. There’s so much in our sport that makes it so fun to watch and such an engaging sport to be part of and a fan of.” 

Voting for The National Lottery’s Paralympian of the Year closes at 5pm on Thursday 23 September 2021. Vote for Gaz online here: https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/projects/view/gaz-choudhry?context=vote   

Anyone inspired by Gaz’s story and is interested in getting involved in Wheelchair Basketball can find out more by visiting www.inspireageneration.com. 

On the final day of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, and one of the final medals for ParalympicsGB, the men’s wheelchair basketball team completed their epic competition with a brilliant on-court performance against Spain.

The squad has earnt well deserved respect and recognition for their outstanding performance and incredible teamwork during this Paralympic Games.  Overcoming considerable challenges during preparation and as they headed out to compete, they have proven to the world the value of digging deep and working together to achieve success.

Throughout the tournament and upon achieving their bronze medal the ParalympicsGB men’s team have only conveyed admiration and respect for player/coach Choudhry’s leadership both on and off the court during the Games.

Following the bronze win Gaz Choudhry underlined the team’s mutual respect for each other, commenting:

“The team has allowed me to be an athlete, player and coach at the same time. It’s been challenging and tough but without this group I couldn’t have done it.

“Bronze medal game is more about heart – it’s the toughest game to play as both teams have absolutely had their heart broken.

“We’ve had so many knock backs, we’ve had a season where we haven’t been together for two years (due to COVID) and we have just relied on our experience of being resilient and courageous, and being truthful.”

Jayne Ellis, ParalympicsGB Team Leader and British Wheelchair Basketball Performance Director elated by the win commented:

“I have so much respect for this incredible team of players – I am superbly proud of each and every one of them. They have never backed down, staring the challenges of this tournament directly in the eye.

“With Gaz Choudhry and Ian Sagar’s leadership in the coach and captain roles, these players have shared their extensive experience and depth of knowledge of the game to empower this team to continue fighting throughout.

“Their Paralympic bronze medals are hard fought and thoroughly deserved.”

After a 20-point comeback against Australia on Monday, the ParalympicsGB Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team again showed incredible resilience to qualify for the semi-finals, coming from 10 points down in the third quarter to beat Canada by 14 points. 

For fans watching back home, it was another thrilling, but nail-biting final quarter, as the ParalympicsGB Men showcased their determination and fight to come from behind to reach their seventh successive Paralympic Games semi-final. 

Choudhry and the Team showcased incredible leadership on and off the court, supported by Head Coach Haj Bhania, who is advising the team remotely from the UK. 

The ParalympicsGB Men’s Team will now face Japan in the quarter finals on Friday 3 September at 12:45 (BST).   

Commenting on the team’s progression to the semi-finals, ParalympicsGB’s Harry Brown said: 

“The game went really well. We knew they would come out all guns blazing. Pat [Patrick Anderson] is one of the greatest in the World at what he does so having him out on the floor we knew he would try everything he could and throw everything at us. We battled through the storms and got the win at the end. The semi-final will be a tough one but we’ll do our prep and get the job done again.” 

British Wheelchair Basketball CEO Lisa Pearce added: 

“Watching this team on court in Tokyo is exhilarating and captivating. Their ability to reset, come together and absolutely fight to secure a win is truly spectacular.  These last two crucial games, against Australia and Canada, have underlined the sheer outstanding determination of this team to succeed. 

 “Given the challenges they have faced over the last 18 months in training and to prepare for this Games, their qualification into the semi-finals of a Paralympic Games should be applauded. 

“I have no doubt that this team will continue to keep fans enthralled with their grit and world-class games here in Tokyo into the semi-finals.” 

In what was billed as the ‘Pool of Death’ the ParalympicsGB Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team brought drama to the courts of Tokyo to secure four stunning wins against USA, Australia, Iran and Algeria.  Just one point secured the Team’s victories against defending Paralympic Gold Medallists USA, and 2014 World Champions Australia, in games which saw the ParalympicsGB men dig deep and hold strong on court.

The Team laid bare their determination and fight as they came back from a bitter defeat against Germany to face the USA with composure and world-class shooting to secure the win. However, it was final pool game of the tournament, GB v Australia, which demonstrated the outstanding credentials and composure of this team, coming back from a 20-point deficit to clinch the victory by a single point in the final seconds of the Game.

The Team’s top of group finish at the Pool stages of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics is a testament to the influence of their Head Coach, Haj Bhania, who is supporting the team remotely from the UK, and his mentoring and preparation of player/coach Gaz Choudhry. It also characterises the resilience, perseverance and experience of the squad who have adapted and worked together to overcome significant challenges faced during their Paralympic campaign, and shines a light on the leadership that is flourishing within the team.

The ParalympicsGB Men’s Team will now face Canada in the quarter finals on Wednesday 1^st September at 10:15pm (BST). 

Commenting on the Quarter Final Qualification, ParalympicsGB’s Lee Manning said:

“This is the position we wanted to be in. I’m extremely proud of the boys, I’m glad we got it done. We’ll stick together – it’s one more challenge, one more game”.

ParalympicsGB Team Leader, and British Wheelchair Basketball Performance Director Jayne Ellis added to Lee’s sentiment:

“This team have sacrificed so much in the lead up to this tournament and have spent significant time away from loved ones to be able to prepare and train.  They thoroughly deserve the wins they have delivered on court here in Tokyo.

“This is exactly what a world-class wheelchair basketball team should look like – they are once again showing the world how good they really are, working together to dig deep and deliver results.”

Today, British Wheelchair Basketball announced that both of its GB Teams have landed safely in Tokyo and are focused to begin their respective competition on Wednesday 25^th and Thursday 26^th August. 

The NGB confirmed that GB’s Head of Coaching and Tactical Development, Haj Bhania OBE, will remain in the UK to oversee the strategic tactical direction of both ParalympicsGB squads (alongside GB Assistant Coach Steve Caine).  COVID-19 regulations have prevented Haj Bhania accompanying the Men’s Team to Tokyo due to a positive COVID-19 test in the lead up to the Games.

Both ParalympicsGB Teams have planned for and tested extensive COVID-19 continuity plans during preparation camps, as well as for competition in Tokyo. A positive COVID-19 case is a scenario which has been considered and carefully planned for, with the emphasis on ensuring a continuity of performance support for the Teams in Tokyo and the UK. 

The Teams will benefit from a strong and well-equipped support team in place to lead on the ground in Tokyo, consisting of Gaz Choudhry transitioning to the role of the men’s team player/coach, and the women’s team line up remaining unchanged with Simon Fisher as coach of the women’s team. Both teams will continue to be backed by Team Managers and key Sport Science/Sports Medicine practitioners.

The UK based coaching team, consisting of Haj Bhania OBE and Steve Caine, will utilise updated performance analysis software and work with specialist elite performance analysts both in the UK and Tokyo, to inform the ParalympicsGB Teams’ tactical competition strategy in Tokyo.  Investment in technology and working adaptations during the pandemic will further support the enhancement of the Teams’ strategic planning; with video conference meetings, collaborative software and shared performance analysis platforms ensuring that the ParalympicsGB Teams’ progress is not impacted by geographical constraints.

As a GB athlete, Gaz has been a member of the men’s senior squad for over 11 years, winning four European golds and a World Championship title during his career. His accomplished professional playing career has seen Gaz play for top-flight European Clubs, including completing the 2020/21 season with Copa Del Rey winning team BSR Amiab Albacete, as well as being named as MVP twice during the tournament.

As part of the GB Performance Programme, Gaz has competed and trained under Haj Bhania’s considered leadership since 2013 and will undoubtedly also bring his own experience and direction to the Team’s Tokyo performance.

A hugely respected athlete, Gaz was elected into the British Paralympic Association’s Athlete Commission in December 2020, and is a vocal advocate of Paralympic sport. Gaz will be ably supported by two highly experienced co-captains Ian Sagar and Lee Manning, coming together to lead the men’s team throughout the competition.

Commenting on today’s news, British Wheelchair Basketball’s CEO Lisa Pearce said:

“Our first-priority is to ensure the health and wellbeing of our staff team and athletes, as well as the wider Paralympic Community.  I am once again immensely proud of our staff team and athletes, who have seamlessly adopted our COVID-19 continuity plan and transitioned into the new team format.

“I can confirm that Haj is well, but as expected is enormously disappointed to not be supporting the Team from courtside in Tokyo. 

“To see our Team’s arrive in Tokyo is simply a huge achievement.  Preparing for this Paralympic Games has been unlike any other, and we have had to navigate many new and challenging situations under the complex backdrop of COVID-19. We continue to be in awe of the professionalism and empathy with which our athletes and staff team support each other, both courtside and strategically from the UK.”

Gaz Choudhry also added to Lisa’s sentiment:

“It is an honour to be selected to represent your nation, and there is no bigger stage than the Paralympic Games. It is a privilege to have been mentored by a coach of Haj Bhania’s considerable experience and reputation, and to be trusted with the player coach role for the GB Men’s Team. Our preparation programme included the formation of our coaching group and the collaborative process has enabled and prepared me to assume this role.

“This Games has often seemed like a distant dream to all of the athletes who have trained so hard. It has required a huge amount of commitment and sacrifice from each and every player, but also our families and our performance support teams. However, I believe these challenges have only served to fuel our fire and drive our ambition to get on court in Tokyo. I look forward to continuing to be guided and mentored by Haj and the Performance Team as we head to Tokyo and with the support of the athletes and world class support staff here give our best possible performance”

ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe commented:

“My heart goes out to Haj who I know was deeply committed and keen to continue his fantastic work with the team out in Tokyo. However, thorough and considered planning by British Wheelchair Basketball means that Haj remains a terrific asset to the team, while Gaz Choudhry – an athlete we all respect and admire – will I know adapt seamlessly to his role as player coach.”

British Wheelchair Basketball clubs across the UK are opening their doors this summer to encourage those inspired by the Paralympic Games to try the sport and visit an Inspire a Generation Club Open Event.

As the Men’s and Women’s teams compete in Tokyo, clubs will be encouraging people within their local communities to come along and get involved in the sport.

The Inspire a Generation Club Open Events will give people a fun and engaging introduction to the sport and are available for all ages and abilities. Wheelchair basketball is a fully inclusive sport where both disabled and non-bodied players can play together.

Clubs from across the four Home Nations will be offering sessions on 28 & 29 August, 4 & 5 September, and 11 & 12 September and providing all of the necessary equipment.

Lisa Pearce, Chief Executive at British Wheelchair Basketball said:

“Never has there been a more important time to provide inclusive, fun and informal sporting opportunities, and to embed active lifestyles. All of our elite athletes started at their local club and I hope that by watching them in action in Tokyo, more people will be inspired to try wheelchair basketball for themselves.

“We couldn’t do this without our network of fantastic clubs across the UK who are kindly opening their doors to showcase the sport to new people as part of the Inspire a Generation programme. We cannot wait to welcome players to these sessions and I’m confident many will fall in love with wheelchair basketball!”

Great Britain Women’s Wheelchair Basketball player, Sophie Carrigill, said:

“Creating local opportunities for people to try wheelchair basketball is really important to me, particularly since it is such an inclusive sport – anyone can play, irrespective of age, gender and ability. I was inspired to play after London 2012 and I hope that I can inspire others to go to their local club and give my incredible sport a go for themselves. My life is so much better because I discovered wheelchair basketball and I hope that others have the opportunity to experience that too.”

To find your nearest Inspire a Generation Open Event, visit https://inspireageneration.com/participant-register-interest/.