Longevity in any sport at the highest level is rarely seen with only a select group showing the mental strength to play at an elite level for a sustained period of time.
38-year-old, Swansea-born, Paul Karabardak is one of that small group with this year being his 23rd year competing at the highest level. Having had a glittering trophy-laden career to date, when eventually the Welshman decides to put down his bat he will leave behind his legacy as an incredible inspirational figure for the next generation of stars to aspire to.
Paul’s journey through life, however, has far from been a smooth ride. In Para Table Tennis though he has found solace to overcome life’s adversities.
A keen footballer as a youngster, Paul suffered a massive stroke at the age of ten which turned his World upside down.
“I was really big into football, I used to play for my local club, Gowerton. Unfortunately, I suffered a stroke,” said Paul.
“It left me with a big hole in my life and I needed to fill the void. Being sporty I needed to find something, and I started attending the local youth club in late 1996/97 down in Cwmbwrla.
“It is a great club for disabled people, it’s called Friends of the Young Disabled. I tried a few activities down there which were enjoyable, but nothing really grabbed me.
“I then tried Table Tennis and really enjoyed it and ended up going down three times a week to play.
“I kept getting better and was picked for the local team in the Swansea League. There were six divisions and I started at the bottom and worked up from there.”
It wouldn’t take long before Paul’s rapid rise to stardom would come to the forefront where he would achieve more than he could have ever imagined after a call to be selected to play for the GB Para Table Tennis Team.
Paul would go on to compete at the European Championships in Frankfurt, Germany, where at the tender age of 15, the Welshman would remarkably come away with a team bronze medal.
“I had been slowly progressing through the Swansea League and playing competitions across Wales and I was spotted by the person who was in charge of Paralympic table tennis, explained Paul.
“He said I want you to be part of the squad and then I was selected for the European Championships in 2001.
“It was a big surprise and a big step up in the standard. I did though manage to do well there and win a medal in the team event, which was amazing – it’s just progressed from there.
“Nobody expected it, and from that, I was given proper funding – it changed everything and will always be a good memory I will always have.”
Since that day, over a 20-year career, Paul has won team medals with decorated Paralympian Will Bayley at World and European levels as a class 7 athlete and since being reclassified as a class 6 in 2015 he has won both European singles bronze in 2015, European team gold in 2017 and 2019 and World team bronze in 2017.
Tokyo would be his fourth Paralympic Games where he would win his first Paralympic medals, taking bronze in the men’s class 6 singles and silver with Bayley in the men’s class 6-7 team event.
“I have had some special moments with Will [Bayley] who is probably the best Para table tennis player of all time. It was amazing to win the silver in the team event with him in Tokyo.
“We have also had some big wins in open competitions where we have had some gold medals and beaten some good teams.
“He has played a big part in my career; we have always supported each other. His influence has helped make me a better player.
“I couldn’t believe that it was my fourth Paralympics and I had never won a medal and I thought maybe it would never come.
“I will always give my all, never give up and give 100%. Even through the tough times and the injuries.
“In sport, a lot doesn’t always go your way. I will always try to remain positive and try to achieve what I want to achieve. That is what makes me the athlete I am.
“During lockdown, I trained with a robot. It was difficult as I have a small living room, but I made the most of it and I managed to go to Tokyo.
“It was a dream to go on to win a bronze in the singles and a silver in the team event.
“I thought I would never win, so to achieve a Paralympic medal was one of my life goals and I was over the moon with it.
“This time I think I can improve the colour. If I train hard and I play well under pressure I think I have a good chance. The main aim though is another medal – if it’s gold though, that would be superb.”
There haven’t always been highs, however, in Paul’s Table Tennis career. In 2004 after an initial rise to stardom, Paul would have to overcome the agony of failing to qualify for the Paralympics and the knock-on effect of a loss of funding.
It would be a tough time for the athlete, but mentally a period that has helped make him stronger in the long run.
“It was a difficult time. Funding is important, so losing it was hard. I couldn’t play in competitions.
“There was a two-year period where I didn’t have any and it was difficult. People don’t really understand how vulnerable it is when funding can just be taken away. You always have to achieve to maintain it, which adds more pressure.
“I just thought I’m going to keep going, train, and try as hard as I can but it is not easy when you don’t have the motivation of something in front of you.
“I then got selected for a few competitions and I thought if I can do well in these, I can get my funding back and then I could possibly qualify for Bejing [Paralympics] in 2008.
“That period made me a stronger player. I haven’t always had everything on a silver platter. I have also suffered injuries to my wrist, but I think it has made me more resilient, work harder, and appreciate the good times.
“As they say ease is always a greater destroyer of success than hardship will ever be. It’s one of my favourite quotes and it has been important in helping me in the tough times.
This time around Paul says everything feels good ahead of the games and after picking up World Championship gold with his new doubles partner Billy Shilton he feels he’s ready to compete on all fronts.
“I’m feeling good. I’ve had some competitions where I have played well in. I’m not quite at my best but there are plenty of positives to take and things I can look to build on.
“He [Peter Rosenmeier] will be one of the favourites. He is still probably the best in the World.
“There is though one or two other players including myself that could look to upset him by trying to get our name on that gold medal.
“It’s going to be pretty open. There are a lot of good players – you have your favourites but it is there for the taking.
“With the team event, it is a bit different this time. Last time you played two singles and a doubles match.
“This time it is just doubles so it is a bit different with the classifications and I have had to change team partners since.
“I’m really happy though with my partner [Billy Shilton]. We won the World Championships in Spain a year ago and have a good relationship. We’ve played well together, and, on our day, anything is possible, and we will be confident going into the doubles.”
If Paul does bring home gold back to Wales, the question is will he be following in the footsteps of his great friend Will Bayley onto the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor?
“I’m not a great dancer”, Paul replies with a big grin on his face. “But I would love the opportunity to do it. It would be a great experience. I would love the challenge to make Swansea proud.”
[Lead image: Paul Karabardak]
