The Legacy of Britain’s Paralympian Table Tennis Champion, James Rawson
The table tennis community is mourning the loss of one of Britain’s most decorated Para table tennis players, James Rawson, who passed away at the age of 59. Rawson, a six-time Paralympian, will be remembered for his exceptional achievements and unwavering spirit on the table.
“I knew James when I was East Midlands regional chairman in the 90s and then again when I became BPTT Secretary in 2005,” said Mike Smith. “He was that rare person – a British Paralympic table tennis gold medallist – and he won five Paralympic medals overall. He joined the BPTT table at the TTE Centenary Gala Dinner in 2022 and was really interested in the progress made over the last decade.”
A Decorated Paralympian
Born in Newark, Nottinghamshire in 1965, Rawson competed at every summer Paralympic Games between Seoul in 1988 and Beijing in 2008, amassing an impressive collection of medals. His crowning achievement was the gold medal he won in the men’s class 3 team event at the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics, alongside teammates Neil Robinson and Phillip Evans.
International Success
Rawson’s table tennis prowess was not limited to the Paralympic stage. He also represented Great Britain in World and European Championships, securing a World team silver and individual bronze in Taipei in 2002, as well as three European team titles in 1999, 2003, and 2005.
“Jamie was a top-class player,” said Neil Robinson, his longtime teammate. “He very much had a style of his own – a defensive/counter-attacking style that was very unorthodox and very difficult to play against. As a consequence, he got some great results over the years.”
Dedication and Team Spirit
Rawson’s dedication and team spirit were also highlighted by Robinson, who described him as a “very loyal member of the team and a great team partner” with whom he formed a “very strong table tennis relationship.”
“It’s an incredibly sad loss as he contributed a lot to British table tennis,” added Robinson. “He was very British – very much the bulldog spirit and a very determined character. A great person to have on your side.”
Lasting Legacy
BPTT Acting Company Secretary Neil Marples also shared his fond memories of Rawson, recalling his “great sense of humour” and the joy he brought to the sport.
Rawson’s legacy will continue to inspire the table tennis community, and his name will be forever etched in the annals of British Paralympic history.
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