In the latest in our series focusing on the England squad for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, we speak to Ross Wilson.

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Dan Bullen | Maria Tsaptsinos

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Ross Wilson heads to the Commonwealth Games as defending champion and confident he can repeat the feat in front of a home crowd.

Wilson beat England team-mate Kim Daybell in the final in Gold Coast in 2018 – it was an all-Britain podium with Josh Stacey taking bronze for Wales.

Having since gone on to become world champion and add a team bronze at the Tokyo Paralympics, Wilson has plenty of good memories to draw on to help him in his quest for a repeat triumph.

“I am so proud to be selected for my second Commonwealth Games,” said the 27-year-old from Minster. “I think it was a real good team effort out in Gold Coast. I really loved the experience, I loved every second of it and obviously coming away with the gold medal was extremely special for me.

So, very fond memories and having that coming into Birmingham is something that’s really good for me.”

Daybell is not in the squad this time around, but Stacey will again be in the medal picture and Wilson added: “I think you have to take every game as it comes, but anyone that plays in the competition is in it to win it, so if I can retain my title, that would be absolutely fantastic.

“I think it’s such a special event, everyone works so hard and we do become such a good team. We’ve got some amazing players and I’m looking forward to seeing them perform as well as myself, so yeah, I’m really excited for that.”

This is the first home Games experience for Wilson since the London Paralympics, where he won a bronze as a teenager.

He said: “Honestly, home crowd memories are something I’ll never ever forget. If it’s anything like London 2012 then it just gives you that extra 10%. I’m really looking forward to it and I’m looking forward to performing for everyone.”

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