AMMANFORD man Benjamin Pritchard is one of eight rowers selected to compete for ParalympicsGB at the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games this summer.

European silver medallist Pritchard will race in the men’s single sculls, having only made his international rowing debut just two years ago.

It is a remarkable achievement for the insurance broker, who was left paralysed from the waist down after a cycling crash in September 2016.

"If someone had told me five years ago that I'd be about to compete at the Paralympics, I'd have said 'no chance'," said the 29 year-old.

"I didn't even know what Paralympic rowing was – my accident happened in the middle of Rio 2016, so it's quite special that five years on I'm now headed to Tokyo."

“I’m really excited – I can’t believe it’s happening, I can only describe it as euphoric.

"You want to make your family and friends proud, and then there’s three and a half million people in Wales who I hope will get behind me, as well as ParalympicsGB supporters across the UK.

"I’m super excited to get out there and wear the flag with pride.”

Pritchard was diagnosed with Covid-19 just before Christmas, and although he only suffered mild symptoms, it impacted on his recovery time, having undergone arm surgery a month earlier.

He battled back to fitness to finish second in the European PR1 men's single sculls in Varese, Italy, behind defending Paralympic, World Champion Roman Polianskyi.

It was his fourth position at the 2019 World Championships that ensured Great Britain will compete in the PR1 men’s single sculls at this year's Paralympics.

ParalympicsGB finished top of the rowing medals table at Rio 2016 – and Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe believes the squad for Tokyo 2020 are capable of impressing on the water once again.

“I’m delighted to welcome the eight rowers to the ParalympicsGB team for Tokyo 2020," she said.

"With a terrific mix of experience and Paralympic debutants, I know the group will continue to go from strength to strength.

"They have already excelled on the international stage, and I look forward to joining them on their journey to Tokyo.”

The team will also include James Fox, who was part of the gold medal-winning crew that won the mixed coxed four at Rio 2016.

He will race alongside Paralympic debutants Ellen Buttrick, Giedre Rakauskaite, Ollie Stanhope and Erin Kennedy (cox).

Also hoping to defend their Paralympic title from Rio 2016 are reigning world champions Lauren Rowles and Laurence Whiteley in the mixed double sculls.

The Tokyo Paralympics run from 24 August-5 September, with the rowing events scheduled for 27-29 August.