Table tennis star realises his dream after mining accident 14 years ago

Joel Coughlan is ready to lead the way for the Aussies at next month’s Paralympics.

Rockhampton's Joel Coughlan has been named co-captain of the Australian Para-table tennis squad for the Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games. Photo: Table Tennis Australia

As talented table tennis player Joel Coughlan lay in a hospital bed recovering from a horrific crush injury, any thought of wearing the green and gold seemed a bridge too far.

Three and a half of his toes had been amputated after a work-related incident in which half a tonne of mining equipment fell off a forklift onto his right foot.

It was June 2007 and what was in store was 21 surgeries, lengthy stints in hospital and a gruelling rehabilitation program.

But what was a dream has become reality with Coughlan being named co-captain of the Australian Para-table tennis squad for the Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games.

The selection was announced on Monday, a week out from his 33rd birthday.

Coughlan said to get the official word was incredible.

“I’m pumped for what comes next, and I’m extra motivated for the next 49 days until it all kicks off,” he said.

“The Paralympics are the ultimate and I’m channelling all my energy into my training and wellbeing.”

Coughlan will fly to Melbourne at the start of August to join his 10 fellow squad members for the pre-camp.

The Aussies will likely fly to Tokyo on August 18 or 19, with the Games to start on August 24.

Coughlan, who will play in singles and teams events, is confident the Australian players will be in medal contention.

“We have a really strong team,” he said.

“I’ve been in the Australian squad since 2009 and it’s been great to see the whole squad develop and grow.

“The professionalism of the whole group now is very impressive.

“My goal is to medal at the Paralympics and that’s what I’m pushing for.”

Joel Coughlan will head to Melbourne early next month to join his teammates for a pre-camp before heading to Tokyo. Photo: Table Tennis Australia

Coughlan started table tennis in 1996 as an eight-year-old, and quickly became one of the country’s leading junior players.

“I started playing because my older brother was playing, and from there I’ve always been a competitive person,” he said.

“At that age I didn’t have aspirations of Olympics or Paralympics, but I was chasing gold at states and nationals.

“I was always pushing myself to be the best player I could be and, I suppose, the further I progressed the more my goals grew.”

Coughlan said that despite his accident, he knew he would return to the game.

He said it was a phone call from a Table Tennis Australia administrator in the latter stages of his lengthy recovery that planted the idea of playing Para sport.

“I always thought I would come back for the pure fact I love sport,” he said.

“When the accident first happened and I was still in hospital, I never thought of Para sport.

“Towards the end of my recovery, just when I was getting back to playing, I got a call from Sue Stevenson, who had just started with the Para squad.

“She was a coach in Brisbane; she knew my background and had heard about what had happened and just wanted to know if it was something I’d be interested in.”

Coughlan said that since his accident he had adopted the mantra “the only real disability is a bad attitude”.

It has served him well, helping drive his recovery and inspiring his comeback.

He made the Australian squad in 2009 and has since played at numerous international tournaments.

A pivotal moment in his career came in 2011 when at a tournament in Hong Kong he beat the world number three from China.

“That created a huge belief in my game, and I think it clicked with me then,” he said.

“I realised that I could compete with and beat the best in the world so there’s no reason why I couldn’t make the Paralympics and do well there.”