Will Bayley says he was “devastated” to lose the final of the men’s S7 table tennis singles following a controversial umpiring decision in the deciding game.
The British athlete was penalised a point by umpire Darek Mikita in the fifth game after Bayley was judged to have kicked the ball in frustration due to missing a shot.
The 36-year-old says he often uses his feet to retrieve balls due to difficulties moving his limbs, and that he has never been penalised for this previously.
Bayley went on to lose a thrilling final to Yan Shuo of China 11-8 12-14 11-7 7-11 11-9.
“I’m just devastated, it hasn’t really sunk in 100%,” said Bayley. “I felt I was the better player today without sounding bitter, I felt good today.”
On using his feet to help retrieve balls between points, he said: “Especially when I’m tired, my legs aren’t that good so I kick the ball into the barrier to pick it up, it’s a lot easier.
“I automatically do it, I was still doing it after I got red-carded – then I started running after the ball because I didn’t want him to fault me. I wasn’t doing it with thinking, I do it in training, I’m on autopilot. I have never had an umpire say anything about it in my life.”
On whether the penalty affected him, Bayley added: “Big time. I was 3-1 up in that [fifth] game, another and it’s 4-1. I felt it was important – it’s a game to 11, it’s quick. But somehow I have to find a way to accept that.
“I have to look at the video [of the match] as well, I don’t know what he was talking about for a lot of the issues.”
Bayley had been initially yellow-carded in the second game by Mikita for misbehaviour on court. International Table Tennis Federation rules state if the player gets a second yellow for an infringement, their opponent is awarded a point.
That proved to be key in deciding the outcome as Shuo defeated Bayley in the S7 singles final for the second successive Paralympics.
Bayley has reached the final of the previous four Games, but only won one – at Rio 2016 – while now having to settle for three silvers.
After being penalised a point, Bayley engaged in a long debate with Mikita and also spoke to an off-court official before having to accept the penalty.
He also spoke to the umpire afterwards. Asked what he told Mikita, Bayley said: “I said, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s the Paralympic final. It’s difficult to take, I’m gutted and I’m emotional, it’s difficult to talk logically.”
Bayley resolved to return for the next Paralympics and go for gold in Los Angeles in 2028.
“I’m good enough to win a Paralympic Games – 100% [will go for LA 2028], I just need to get over this loss, I’m sure I will in a few weeks,” he added.
Earlier on Friday, Rob Davies claimed silver in the men’s singles MS1.
The Welshman, 40, won gold at Rio 2016 but was unable to defend his title in Tokyo five years later because of a shoulder injury.
In Friday’s final, Cuba’s Yunier Fernandez won a close first game before wrapping up a 14-12 11-7 11-4 victory.
Medals won by Bayley and Davies added to the three bronze medals won by ParalympicsGB in Para-table tennis earlier in the Games – those for Felicity Pickard and Bly Twomey in the women’s doubles WD14, Billy Shilton and Paul Karabardak in the men’s doubles MD14 and Twomey in the women’s singles WS7.
More to follow.
