As Australia’s mens and womens wheelchair basketball teams arrive in Japan for Tokyo 2020, rollerhawks.com.au spoke with Tristan Knowles to discover the disrupted preparations of the last two years only adds fuel to the team’s fire to avenge their sixth place in Rio.
The Rollers and the Gliders were supposed to have a final camp in Cairns before flying to the Paralympics but that was abandoned due to lockdowns across the country. Instead both sides have arrived in Japan early to get some last minute court time together before the opening tip off.
What does it mean to be suiting up for your fifth Paralympics?
It really is very special as there is no bigger honour than to play for your country, I am so fortunate to be doing this for a fifth time. Australia has had a very successful history and to be able to play a small part in that is something I am really proud of.
Some of the team have trained together but Sticky has been stranded in Wollongong since the team was announced due to lockdown, what have your movements been since the team was announced?
My situation has been exactly the same, I have not been with the team at a camp since our selection camp back in June, it's been tough but just trying to focus on the things we can control and making sure that when I step onto that plane I am in the best physical condition I have ever been in.
How have your preparations been?
It has been extremely different with no international tours or games for nearly two years and it's also proven a real challenge getting the 12 of us together for camps. I think we as a team have always been really agile in the response of adversity and this time is no different, we have each gone away and done the work and now ready to rumble.
How do you see your role in the team this time round?
I along with Sticky and Shaun have a lot of experience so I think keeping the ship steady and getting the guys fired up at the right times will be really important. I am not the tallest player getting around so I'll be using my speed and fitness to create options for myself and team mates and ready to knock down perimeter shots when the opportunity arises is where I see myself contributing. I am probably seen as a very competitive and no-nonsense kind of player so being pretty hard nosed when needed is probably another role of mine.
How do you rate the Rollers' chances? Who will be the team to beat?
I feel really positive and pumped up. Despite the very different lead up I am so pleased that each of us have gone away and worked harder than ever, often when no one is watching. The guys are in fantastic shape and the hunger to return to number one is very much burning.
Do you think Australia is at a disadvantage with such a disrupted preparation and not having played any warm up games?
It would be easy to say that and make excuses about not having played but no I don't think so. I think it has actually worked in our favour as we are just so eager now to put all the hard work on show and really play for each other.
Did you have any concerns about travelling to Tokyo amid COVID and what did you make of the Olympics and how they were handled?
For me it was important to make sure I was vaccinated and the entire team has been so that's a real positive. Paralympics Australia will also be implementing some really great restrictions once we are on the ground to help keep us all safe and focused on what we have been training for, the competition. I feel safe heading to Tokyo but we will each need to play our part in staying safe.
Are you excited knowing that more people will be watching than ever with increased coverage and more people at home looking for something to cheer about?
Absolutely, I and each of the guys get so much support from family, friends and employers to get us ready. To know that all of those people that are really important to us are back at home in Australia cheering us on makes it that more special.
Athletes can't travel outside of the village, how will you fill the time between games?
It would have been great to experience the amazing city that Tokyo is but at the end of the day we are there for one job. We compete just about everyday so I think the down time will actually be welcomed so we can stay well rested. Lots of hanging out with teammates in our apartments and plenty of tv shows and movies I'd say.
Tokyo Paralympics Wheelchair Basketball Schedule (All times Tokyo Local Time)