Badminton star Daniel Bethell is entering a new chapter of his career, fueled by a fresh sense of purpose as he chases Paralympic gold. The 29-year-old, who won silver medals at both Paralympic Games where para badminton was featured, recently moved his training base back to his native Bath and took some personal time to get married. These changes have given him renewed motivation ahead of Paris 2028.
“It was very important for me to move back to Bath,” Bethell explained. “After Paris, there were moments when I questioned if I would continue competing. Training in Bath meant being more self-reliant. I had to motivate myself to hit the gym early and push hard on the court, just like I did in Sheffield.”
This independence allowed Bethell to rediscover his passion for the sport. “Having more time for myself in Bath helped me realise I want to keep going and fight for gold,” he said.
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At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Bethell faced a tense final against India’s Kumar Nitesh, ultimately settling for silver. Securing medals at both Paralympic Games with para badminton’s debut and subsequent inclusion has been a remarkable achievement for the athlete.
Reflecting on his journey, Bethell said, “Winning two silver medals is a dream come true. When I started playing, I only dreamed of reaching the Paralympics, so to earn medals is fantastic. But over time my ambition has grown—I want that gold.”
Though the loss in Paris was tough, distance from that moment has allowed Bethell to take pride in his accomplishments. “Qualifying as number one in the world and consistently performing at a high level is something I’m really proud of.”
Beyond his sporting pursuits, Bethell is also a vocal advocate for clean sport. He supports UK Anti-Doping’s (UKAD) Protect Your Sport initiative, which encourages athletes to report suspicious doping activity through various confidential channels, including anonymous messaging and hotlines.
“UKAD is one of the best anti-doping agencies globally,” stated Bethell. “But they can’t oversee everything. Athletes witness things behind the scenes, making them vital in the fight against doping. We want whistleblowing to be seen positively because protecting sport is a shared goal.”
By speaking up and using UKAD’s Protect Your Sport service, athletes help safeguard their achievements and ensure fair competition. For those wishing to report doping, the initiative can be accessed through the UKAD website.