Gaz Choudhry MBE (born 23 June 1985) is a British former wheelchair basketball player. He was selected to play for Paralympics GB in the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.[1]

Gaz Choudry
Personal information
Birth nameGaz Choudhry
Nationality United Kingdom
Born (1985-06-23) 23 June 1985 (age 39)
Karachi, Pakistan
Sport
CountryGreat Britain
SportWheelchair basketball
EventMen's team
ClubCapital City Aces
TeamBulldogs
Medal record
Representing  Great Britain
Paralympic Games
Wheelchair basketball
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Rio Team BC1-2
Bronze medal – third place 2020 Tokyo Team BC1–2

Personal life

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Choudhry was born on 23 June 1985 in Karachi, Pakistan.[1] He was made an amputee (body extremity was removed due to trauma, prolonged constriction, or surgery) when he was ten years old.[2] He moved to Ealing in London with his family when he was thirteen, and attended Walford High School.[3]

Wheelchair basketball

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Choudhry began playing wheelchair basketball at the age of thirteen, after seeing a roadshow from the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association. Since then, he has been involved in the sport. He is a class 4.0 wheelchair basketball player.[2] When he competed at a young age, he represented Great Britain in many international tournaments. He won two gold and silver medals at a young age. He was chosen in the All Star team for the European Championships in Adana, southern Turkey.[1]

In 2008, Choudhry was chosen as a reserve for the 2008 Summer Paralympic Games, held in Beijing. Recently before that he had moved to play for a team in Porto Torres, Italy. Choudhry has only competed in two major championships, other than being a reserve (substitute) in the Beijing Paralympics of 2008. His first major championship was the 2010 World Wheelchair Basketball Championship.[1][2] This championship was held in Birmingham. Along with his team, Choudhry finished in fifth place; out of the medals. However, in 2011, he participated in the 2011 European Championships which were held in Nazareth, northern Israel. This championship was a victory for Great Britain, the team which Choudhry was playing in the championship. He won a gold medal.[1][2][4]

He was part of the Great Britain wheelchair basketball side at the 2012 London Paralympics, and for the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 tournaments, the latter two of which ended in the team winning the bronze medal.[5][6]

Choudhry was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to wheelchair basketball.[7]

Acting

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Choudhry made his acting debut in the Apple TV+ anthology series Extrapolations.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Gaz Choudhry". British Paralympic Association. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d "Gaz Choudhry". GBWBA. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  3. ^ "I'll do Ealing proud says wheelchair basketball Olympics hopeful". Ealing Gazette. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  4. ^ "Gaz Choudhry". Sheffield City of Sport. Retrieved 20 August 2012.
  5. ^ "Wheelchair basketball Rio 2016 wrap-up". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Tokyo Paralympics: Great Britain finish Games with two more bronze medals". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
  7. ^ "No. 63714". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 June 2022. p. B18.
  8. ^ Extrapolations Cast & Crew