Deaflympic hopes for badminton star in Bulgaria

A Kildare man will present Ireland in the forthcoming Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Aidan Connor (32), a personal trainer with a construction degree, the Leixlip man is busy

training for 2013 Summer Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria, part supported by Leixlip & District Credit Union.

The Ryevale Lawns mans is representing Ireland in badminton having won the Deaf Sports Ireland 2013 Mens Single National title.

A past student of Scoil Mhuire and Colaiste Chiarain, he won the 1996 Irish Deaf

Championships before studying at the Institute of Technology in Tralee where he helped it win titles.

Aidan has used a hearing aid since a young age. “When I have it on I just feel like I can hear like everybody else,” he says.

Aidan lives with his parents Michael and Orla from Galway and Dublin respectively. His

two sisters, Emma and Allison live in the U.K. On sport:: “ I’m just trying to inspire people and just to say anyone can do it and if you train and you want to do it.”

- Henry Bauress