Feature: Malone determined ahead of fourth Paralympic Games

In stark contrast to the two Paralympic and five World Championship medals that sit proudly in a box, the past two years have not all been plain sailing for Malone and the British squad.

Following relegation to the B division, they were forced to fight their way back through the ranks, though the team featuring skip Aileen Neilson, Gregor Ewan, Hugh Nibloe, Bob McPherson and Malone earned qualification for PyeongChang in the process.

From there the rise has continued, taking World Championship bronze in South Korea just last year, adding to the veteran’s two gold medals from more than a decade ago.

For some the disappointment and rollercoaster rides would be enough for them to say farewell to wheelchair curling – but not this determined Glaswegian.

“Relegation was a very difficult time for us and it meant we had to qualify for the Games,” added Malone.

“But if anything, that made me more determined and I knew that we could do it, I knew within myself and the squad we were playing with and training with, that we could get back on the podium.

“Going out to PyeongChang for the World Championships was a fantastic competition.

“We had just made the Games which was amazing in itself because of the tough seasons, but bronze made it sweeter.

“There’s a very special box where I keep my medals and I take them into schools, I don’t display them but I keep them safe so I can take them around and show lots of different kids across lots of different schools.

“They’re all really excited to touch them and ask loads of questions so that’s always a nice feeling for me.”