JUDGE LEADS BY EXAMPLE

'You have to give everything a try and not be afraid of failing'

- MARK McCADDEN

COLIN JUDGE hopes his journey to becoming a two-time Paralympian and Paris 2024 flagbearer can inspire others who are struggling with their disability.

The Dubliner has recalled to Fitter Happier how he had to face down his own fear of failure to become one of the best table tennis players in the world.

"It began when I was 10 or 11 years of age," he said. "I was struggling with my disability a lot, I'd just gone into secondary school.

"I went to an able-bodied rugby school, St Michael's College, and it was the first time I really realised I was different.

"My friends all started playing rugby at this stage and it obviously wasn't an option for me."

So, along with his brother, he went searching for a sport that he could play.

"I remember being in UCD at a sports camp, trying out a number of different sports with my younger, able-bodied brother," said the 30-year-old.

"Wheelchair rugby was the first, which was a lot of fun, but I wasn't very good at it. My brother beat me at everything, more or less, for the majority of the week.

"Having one arm and no legs, I struggled with a lot of sports.

"But table tennis was the last one we tried and I took to it pretty quickly. It was the only sport I could beat my brother at, so it was from there I decided to give it a go."