Team GB’s Jack Shephard was awarded BWF Male Para Player of the Year last night in Guangzhou China, amidst the world’s best players who are gathered for the 2018 World Tour Finals.
The English SS6 star has outshone the rest of the world this week, not only in his Para-Badminton category, but in all categories as he proves himself BWF’s best para player.
Also in the running for the prestigious title this year were Malaysia’s SU5 World Champion Cheah Like Hou and France’s dominant SL4 Lucas Mazur.
Shephard’s year was nearly perfect. With 6 international tournaments entered in 2018, including the European Championships last month, he won 5 golds and one silver in men’s singles, and all 6 titles with teammate Krysten Coombs in the men’s doubles. An unprecedented achievement for the 21 year old Briton.
Read: European pairs gunning for glory at the World Tour Finals
Jack Shephard with Head Coach Richard Morris in Guangzhou last night
“I’m so proud. It’s an amazing feeling to have won the biggest award in Para-Badminton. It means a lot to me and it’s great for the sport, especially as I’m the first SS6 to have done so. A great way to finish the year, and no better way to go into next year’s Paralympic qualifying with this behind me.
The competition was strong. Two great players who both had brilliant seasons and any of us arguably deserved it. I just want to thank everybody that has supported me on and off the court and I hope to carry on in this form next year. Thank you!”
Look out for our full interview about Jack Shephard in the BEC Magazine in the New Year