Clogher man coaching at Paralympics in Japan

ASHLEY Robinson has spent the past week in Japan where he has been helping Ireland’s table-tennis representative at the Paralympics, Colin Judge, prepare for the forthcoming competition.

Robinson, the reigning Irish senior champion, has been Judge’s training partner for over a year and along with friend, Gavin Maguire, the pair have been his coaches during his qualification bid.

Unfortunately for Robinson, his stay in Japan will be brief. He has to leave after one week and won’t be permitted to enter the athletes village, returning home instead.

“I’ve been playing once or twice a week with him for the last 14 or 15 months,” explained the Clogher man.

“I’m not allowed into the village, I’m just in the training base for a week. It’s disappointing because if it was any other Olympics or Paralympics, you’d be going into the village, but because of Coronavirus, I’m not.”

Having not yet made it to the Olympics as a player – he has competed at two Commonwealth Games – Robinson admits it’s nice to help someone else ‘achieve their dreams’.

“It’s different, you’re helping someone reach their dreams,” he added. “It’s something he has dreamed about and wanted to do for years.

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