Player 20 years is needed between rugby tough in wheelchair

Only woman in the test event, young British Coral Batey says not afraid of collisions with opponents

Coral talent led to the selection after a year in the UK development program (Photo: Rio 2016 / Alexandre Loureiro)

Of all the athletes in the International Rugby Tournament in Wheelchair, test event of the Paralympic Games Rio 2016, one stands out - in fact, one: Coral Batey, 20, the only woman in the competition (the sport is mixed). Undaunted, she showed no fear in hitting chairs against much stronger opponents physically and defend the team of Great Britain, which came out of the competition as the winner. The contrast, however, appears outside the court. When asked for an interview, trust is replaced with a startled look. "She's shy" warns the supervisor of the team.

Coral ensures that never felt different within the group and says he likes to work alongside men, "It's really cool. There have discussions, as often happens when it is among women. "The point, the player is to meet the expectations of teammates that do not require it an outstanding performance as a woman." You have to show dedication and part that. I never had to do anything different. "

"They definitely treat me like one of the guys"

Coral Batey, talking about his relationship with his companions in the British team

What did a woman decide to play wheelchair rugby, nicknamed "murderball" (translation for the Portuguese would be something like "assassinatobol") by the aggressiveness of the moves? Coral says it does not have any type of family strength and defends the reputation of his sport. "I do not think it's a dangerous sport, it is actually quite fun. Obviously it's a contact sport, but the wheelchair absorbs most of the impact, so it's not painful, "he argues.

Coral, the wheelchair rugby is not a dangerous sport (Photo: Rio 2016 / Alexandre Loureiro)

Denmark, dubbed "the four terrible." Early, Coral came to the selection of his country after just one year competing in wheelchair rugby. "I started playing in North Wales Dragons and was invited to join the development program of the Great Britain team. Dali went quickly to the senior team, "he recalls.

Content with his first stay in Brazil, she can not wait to return in September to the Rio 2016 Games "The country is beautiful, and the weather is very good," praises.

source http://www.rio2016.com