Last Updated on 31/08/2024 by Crip Life
Matt Bush is a two-time Para taekwondo World Champion set to represent ParalympicsGB in his first Paralympic Games this summer.
As part of our ParalympicsGB debutants interview series, our editor, Emma Purcell, speaks to Matt Bush about becoming a taekwondo athlete, his sporting success so far and what he is most looking forward to at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Born and raised in South-West Wales, Matt Bush became Britain’s first-ever male Para taekwondo athlete to win World Championship gold in 2019.
The 35-year-old former javelin thrower seized the opportunity to switch to the sport in 2017 after realising it had joined the Paralympic roster – and he hasn’t looked back since.
Despite securing a qualification place for Tokyo 2020, Bush was unable to compete after he was forced to withdraw with an ACL injury and was replaced by teammate Joe Lane.
Since recovering from the injury Matt won gold at the 2023 World Championships, a gold at the Grand Prix in China in 2023, and a bronze at the European Championships 2024 in Serbia.
In Paris, Matt, who has an upper limb difference, will compete in the +80kg K44 category. He will be joining Tokyo 2020 medallists Amy Truesdale and Beth Munro in the French capital at the end of August.
Read on to find out more about Matt Bush in his own words and scroll down to see his Paris 2024 results.
Matt Bush on living with an upper limb difference
Were you born with your limb difference or acquired it later in life and how does your impairment affect you on a daily basis?
I was born with a limb difference. It just means that I find alternative ways of doing everyday things, but it’s something I’ve always had to do.
Matt Bush on becoming a Para taekwondo athlete
Why did you choose to switch to taekwondo following your javelin injury, what do you love about the sport and how does Para taekwondo differ from standard taekwondo?
I was involved in combat sports for a long time before finding taekwondo so when Anthony Hughes, from Disability Sport Wales, suggested trying it, I thought I’d give it a go and knew I could transfer some of those skills and it was a smooth transition.
The main difference is that we don’t kick to the head, yet!
What has been the highlight of your taekwondo career so far?
It has to be becoming the two-time World Champion. I first won in 2019 and then again in 2023. Those titles mean so much and to be the top in the world in your sport.
Away from sport, you work for the family business distributing dairy products around Wales. How do you juggle work and training?
It’s a positive thing to have a life away from sport. It puts things into context. It means that I go to training with a fresh mindset, which makes juggling work and training a bit easier.
You also manage an Airbnb property in Pembrokeshire. Is this fully accessible and have you had many guests with disabilities stay at your property?
I’m currently working on acquiring a fully accessible Airbnb in Pembrokeshire so that everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Southwest Wales.
Matt Bush on preparing for Paris 2024
How does it feel to be selected for your first Paralympic Games?
A fact that not many people might know, but I’ve actually been selected for two Paralympic Games before – first in 2016 for javelin where I threw the qualifying distance but had to miss out with a shoulder injury. Then I qualified in 2020 for the Tokyo Games but suffered a knee injury so didn’t make it then either.
I’m excited to debut at my first Games after two prior selections and not being able to actually compete!
How have your preparations been going for Paris 2024 and do you have concerns about future injuries after being ruled out at both Tokyo and Rio?
Prep is going well. Injuries are just a part of the sport. We rarely go a cycle without injury, so it is what it is, but I’m excited heading into Paris.
What are you looking forward to the most at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, as well as aiming to secure a medal?
I’m just looking forward to experiencing the Games as it’s a rare opportunity that not many people can say they’ve got to be a part of. And with every tournament, I’m going for gold, so we will see where the chips fall!
You can find out more about Matt Bush by following him on Instagram.
Paris 2024 Paralympics: Matt Bush’s results
After being selected for two previous Paralympics but then having to pull out due to injury, Matt Bush finally got to compete at his first Games, winning gold in the Men’s K44 +80kg against Neutral athlete Aliaskhab Ramazanov.
Matt feels his support network helped him get the gold: “For me it made it. Having my friends and family here for this time. Everyone knows how much work we put in, but they don’t get to see it and they don’t get to come and experience it.”
On his celebration, Matt said: “The dance is just something I do, we’re in the trenches sometimes in there, everyone’s hurt, we’re putting more hours in than we want to. I do these stupid things to try and bring the mood up and it always gets a laugh out of them so I cracked it out for everyone else.”
Commenting on his opponent, Aliaskhab Ramazanov, Matt added: “He has been around. He used to fight under different flags so I had fought him before, quite a bit. He is a very good fighter as you’ve seen today and I had to be on it and that comes back to building a game plan. It was tough, it was hard but I had to fight.”
Be sure to catch up on Matt Bush’s gold medal win and the rest of the ParalympicsGB taekwondo squad at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Channel 4.
What is Para taekwondo?
Para taekwondo matches are made up of three two-minute rounds and take place indoors on an octagonal-shaped court. Para taekwondo comes in two forms – Kyorugi for athletes with limb impairments and Poomsae for athletes with intellectual impairments. Only Kyorugi will take place at the Paralympic Games.
All scoring is based on kicks to the trunk. Two points are awarded for a valid kick, four points for a kick involving a 180-degree turn, and three points for a spin kick.
Athletes wear body protectors with in-built electronics that register kicks, while a jury watching from the sidelines determines the complexity of each move and the exact number of points that can be awarded, if required.
In the event that scores are tied after three rounds then an extra golden point round is held.
Check out another interview with taekwondo athlete Amy Truesdale.