Five Sussex Paralympians are aiming to bring a medal back for Paralympics GB as the Paris Games kick off this week.

Archers, triathletes and table tennis stars are among those vying for success.

The games following a summer of sport in which Brighton sprinter Amber Anning has already brought home two medals for Team GB.

Will Bayley

Heading into Paris, Will Bayley is one of Team GB’s biggest gold medal hopes as he looks to repeat his success in London, Rio and Tokyo.

The table tennis pro, based at Brighton Table Tennis Club, has won three silver medals for Paralympics GB in London and Tokyo and took home gold in the Individual Class 7 event at Rio 2016.

Will BayleyWill Bayley

Bayley, 36, is currently the world number one having won both the World and European titles.

The former Strictly Come Dancing star has not lost a match in men’s Class 7 since his silver medal at Tokyo 2020.

He said: “I’ve done really well over the last few years to win majors again and I think that makes a big difference because that belief is priceless when you go to a Paralympic Games because it makes you feel relaxed and that you know how to win.

“Nothing is guaranteed obviously and it’s going to be very, very hard but I’ve definitely got the belief that I can do it.”

Bly Twomey

Another table tennis starlet, Bly Twomey comes into the Paralympics as one of the youngest competitors at just 14.

Having only discovered table tennis as recently as 2021, Bly, from Brighton, later turned down try-outs for GB Para swimming to focus all her attention on the sport.

Bly TwomeyBly Twomey (Image: ParalympicsGB)

The young table tennis prodigy, who goes to Cardinal Newman School with her twin sister Ellis, regularly trains with Will Bayley.

In Paris she will compete in the Class 7 singles as well as the Class 14 and 17 doubles events.

Jodie Grinham

Crawley’s Jodie Grinham is “extremely prepared” to be competing at the Paralympics – even though she will be 28 weeks pregnant.

Jodie, 30, is in Paris for her second games having taken archery silver in the mixed team competition at Rio 2016.

Jodie GrinhamJodie Grinham (Image: ParalympicsGB)

The mum-of-one said: “It’s a very different experience for me this time around.

“You’ve got the athlete in me who’s relieved, excited and extremely prepared and then you’ve also got the mummy in me that’s going to miss home, miss my son and will be 28 weeks pregnant when competing in Paris.”

 Jodie gave birth to her son Christian in 2022 and is now expecting her second child.

She has been selected for Paralympics GB alongside Tokyo gold medallist Phoebe Paterson Pine, Nathan MacQueen, who will be appearing at his third Games, and debutant Victoria Kingstone.

Her Paralympics will begin on August 29, when she features in the opening round of the women’s compound archery.

Fabienne Andre

Wheelchair racer Fabienne Andre, 27, swapped the pool for the track in 2018 and has gone from strength to strength, winning double European gold in 2021.

Fabienne AndreFabienne Andre

After coming fifth and fourth in her two races in Tokyo, Andre also went on to win bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth games, part of an all English podium with Hannah Cockroft and Kare Adenegan.

Fabienne, from Saltdean, will be competing in the T34 800m and 100m.

Finley Jakes

Eastbourne-born Finley Jakes will make his first Paralympics appearance in Paris as a three-time British champion in the triathlon.

Finley, 24, was talent spotted by England Athletics but later decided to add swimming and cycling to his repertoire.

He has been on a run of form since October 2023 having secured seven podium finishes in his last nine events heading into Paris 2024.

In 2021, Finley finished fifth in his first European championship in Valencia, going on to take a top ten finish at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi in the same year.

The Paralympics kick off today with the opening ceremony in Paris after a bumper summer of sport with the Euros and the Olympics.