PARALYMPICS: Manning wheeling his way to Rio

The former Jack Hunt School pupil was included in the 12-strong squad bound for Brazil after narrowly missing out on selection for the London 2012 Paralympics when he was first reserve.

Manning (26) was a part of the GB men’s team who retained their European title for the third successive year in September 2015 and they are definite contenders for a medal.

Manning, whose disability is listed as bilateral talipes (clubbed feet), first took up wheelchair basketball at a taster session in 2005 and rapidly made progress after joining the Peterborough Phoenix club.

He represented Great Britain at the 2006 Under 22 European Championships and was quickly fast tracked into the GB senior set-up.

He has played in several tournaments across Europe and Australia, including the BT Paralympic World Cup, and in 2014 starred in the World Championships in South Korea.

He is a full-time professional and played in Italy for Santa Stefano in the 2013/2014 season and is now with Spanish club Albacete. He won the Champions Cup with that team ladst year and was named MVP (Most Valuable Player) for the tournament.