REBECCA BEDFORD
Para Badminton & Powerlifting
“Keep trying and never give up”
Rebecca, inspired by Ellie Simmonds, the Paralympic swimmer has set her goals to become a GB Paralympian and win medals for Team GB.
She likes the competitive elements and the fact that it is a very technical sport, which means you can always develop your game further. Rebecca has always enjoyed taking part in a range of sports but only became competitive when she started playing on the 4 Nations Para-badminton circuit. Winning her first match really motivated me to see how far she could go with the sport.
“I would strongly encourage anyone to try a range of different sports until they find one they enjoy. I really do think that there is a sport for everyone. Badminton has helped me improve my health and fitness and given me a lot more confidence. Most of all it is great fun and you meet lots of new people.”
2019
This year I was invited to be part of the GB Para-Badminton training group as I am ranked in the Top 5 in the World for each event (Singles, Mixed Doubles and Doubles). The support Path to Success has given me therefore is crucial and has enabled me to compete in international competitions to maintain these ranking positions.
In badminton I started the competitive year off at the Irish International in June and claimed Silver in Mixed and Doubles and Bronze in the Singles. This was not the result I was hoping for so I went to the World Championships in Switzerland more determined than ever. Here myself and my Doubles partner Rachel Choong won the Women’s Doubles World Title in an incredible final with the scores at 27/25 21/17, our hardest match to date. I also got Silver in the Mixed Doubles with my partner Robert Laing and Bronze in the Singles, just narrowly missing out on the Final. My most recent competition was in Denmark where I achieved Gold in the Mixed and the Doubles and a silver in the Singles.
Powerlifting has also been a prominent part of this year as I have competed in 4 National competitions. There have been mixed results, but I managed to retain my position on the British Weightlifting Talent Confirmation Squad and we are determined to get to the 2024 Paralympics. I now train once a week at the World Class Training Facility in Loughborough with the GB coaches and I also have regular training camps with the squad.