Wheelchair rugby player Ayaz Bhuta is ready for world stage

Ayaz Bhuta has booked his place on the aeroplane to Rio for the Paralympics after catching the eye for his national team in the European Championships recently.

After winning gold in the competition the 26-year-old admits it was a roller-coaster of emotions to win.

He said: "We were the favourites for the tournament but we knew we would get some stiff competition from Sweden and Denmark.

"We played Sweden in the final and we were drawing with 9.7 seconds to go and then win it so late on was great.

"Everybody just went crazy and it took me two or three days to get over the feeling.

"We were jumping around in the chairs and was unbelievable."

Bhuta is no stranger to spearheading GB's challenge either as he was named 'most valuable player' in the World Championships last year.

But the former Horwich St Josephs' pupil has set his sights even higher at Rio.

"It was my first European Games and winning it was great but we will be working hard to try to get a medal.

"Winning the gold had been a highlight of my career so far but I want to get GB their first medal on the world stage.

"We are currently fifth in the rankings and we came close to beating Canada when we lost by one point in the World Championships yet they are second.

"It just depends how you perform on the day.

"I think hopefully we can improve on that performance and we are working hard on it."

The Thornleigh College pupil is set to hit our screens in the BT World Wheelchair Rugby Challenge next month which going to be screened on television and he believes it will be a good competition.

He said: "After the tournament it will give us an idea of where we are in the world.

"We have been drawn in a tough group against Australia, France and Japan.

"The Aussies are a bit too far off but Japan are fourth and if we can show we can beat them then it is a positive way forward.

"France are down in 10th but we beat them by a point so anybody can beat anyone.

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