Danni Di Toro, Ryley Batt named flagbearers for Paralympic Opening Ceremony

One will compete at her seventh Games, the other is an Aussie sporting icon - meet Australia’s Tokyo Paralympics flagbearers.

Australian Paralympic team co-captains Ryley Batt and Danni Di Toro share a laugh before heading to Tokyo. Picture: AAP/Dan Himbrechts

Danni Di Toro and Ryley Batt have been chosen as Australia’s dual flag-bearers for Tuesday’s Opening Ceremony at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Already selected as the team’s co-captains, the pair were also picked as Australia’s representatives for the parade of nations after countries were allowed, for the first time, to pick both a male and a female flag-bearer.

“Given what we’ve all gone through over the past 12 months, I could not pick more deserving, more supportive athletes who have been there for each and every one of this Team,” said Australia’s chef de mission Kate McLoughlin, who not only chose the flag-bearers but will march behind them at the ceremony.

Australian Paralympic team co-captains Ryley Batt and Danni Di Toro share a laugh before heading to Tokyo. Picture: AAP/Dan Himbrechts

“They do so much more than what normal captains would do … I think every member of this athlete cohort knows how special these two are.”

A former world No.1 wheelchair tennis player, Di Toro is competing at her seventh Paralympics, this time in table tennis.

One of the most respected Paralympic athletes in Australia, she became a paraplegic in 1988 when a wall collapsed on top of her during a school swimming carnival.

Now 46, she has already won two Paralympic medals, a silver in Sydney and a bronze in Athens in 2004, but said being selected to carry the flag was her greatest honour.

“When I first got told, to be honest, there were tears,” she said. “When people see and appreciate what you do, how much you care and how fiercely passionate you are, it’s really quite emotional and overwhelming.

Aussie flagbearers Daniela Di Toro (Para-table tennis) and Ryley Batt (wheelchair rugby). Picture: Jeff Crow

“I feel like there are so many people in our team that this honour could have been bestowed upon. That it’s Ryley and I is a bit mind blowing for me. I feel incredible gratitude.”

Batt is also a hugely popular member of the 179-strong Australian Paralympic squad in Japan.

Born without legs, the 32-year-old is regarded as the best rugby wheelchair player in the world, having already won gold medals at each of the last two Paralympics with the Steelers.

“It’s an extreme honour and I’m super proud to share this moment with Danni at a special Paralympic Games,” he said.

“The world‘s going through a lot of negativity at the moment, but this is a hugely positive thing for Australia.

“Danni and I are just being ourselves and bringing this mob together.”

Australia will be represented by just the two flag-bearers and McLoughlin at the Opening Ceremony to minimise the risk of anyone getting infected by Covid after dozens of foreign competitors ignored a request to wear masks during last month’s opening of the Olympics.

International Paralympic Committee officials said 162 teams would be represented at the Opening Ceremony, including the refugee team.

It was also announced that although Afghanistan will not have a team after the Taliban seized control of the country, the national flag will still be carried into the Tokyo stadium as a gesture of solidarity.

Originally published as Danni Di Toro, Ryley Batt named flagbearers for Paralympic Opening Ceremony