James Feltham of Overton Grange School says he was proud to represent Sutton in the Panathlon Challenge at the Copper Box Arena in London’s Olympic Park last week.
The 12-year-old, along with pupils from Sherwood Park School, won bronze in the mini-Paralympics behind winners Croydon and silver medallists Barking & Dagenham.
They were among 175 disabled youngsters from 22 schools across the capital, and they were presented with their medals by triple-Paralympic swimming medalist Liz Johnson.
Feltham said: “I’ve competed in other Panathlons, but never here at the Copper Box.
“It feels really good to be competing here, and I like Panathlon because it gives you loads of things to do and it’s good to compete against other schools.
“I feel proud to be representing the school.”
The Sutton team put in a strong performance throughout the day, winning gold in two of the six events table cricket and new age kurling along with two silvers and a bronze, before being pipped to second place overall by Barking & Dagenham in the very final event, the athletics relay races.
After the two teams finished level on points, the east London borough claimed silver courtesy of a better head-to-head record.
Mike Danvers, the panathlon coach at Overton Grange School, said: “It’s amazing to compete at the Copper Box. It’s a big opportunity for the kids to show what they can do.”
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