Paralympic Sport: Target Shooting
Disability: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Home Town: Herne Bay
Club: Swalecliffe & District Target Shooting Club
Career highlights
2011: World Ranking: 1st
2011: Unofficial World Record shoot of 597 out of 600 to win Gold at the International Shooting Competition at Stoke Mandeville in August
2011: Silver in the R1 10m Air Rifle Standing competition, IPC Shooting World Cup in Spain
2011: 2 Golds in the IPC Shooting World Cup in Poland
2010: Gold in the R1 10m Air Rifle Standing competition, IPC 2010 Paralympic Shooting World Cup
2010: Gold and silver and an international PB score, IPC World Cup in France
2010: Gold and silver in the World Cup Competition in Turkey
2010: Gold in the prone and standing events at the British Championships
2009 Jikji Cup: Team Gold; Individual Bronze
2009 Polish Cup: Individual Gold
2009 World Ranking: 6th
2008 Paralympic Games: finalist
2008 Slovakian Open: Gold
2008 Turkish Cup: Silver
2008 Polish Cup: Silver
2008 Slovakian Open: Gold
2008 Turkish Cup: Silver
2008 Polish Cup: Silver
What is your sporting ambition?
To win gold at the Paralympics in London 2012 in my respective events
What was your inspiration to take up your sport?
I wanted to get out and do something and it was suggested that I try shooting. I really enjoyed the sport and found I was pretty good at it. After visiting the national squad training in Stoke Mandeville I wanted to do the same – to be the best in my sport.
What would you say to anyone wishing to take up a new sport?
Just enjoy it, that’s what sport is all about, having fun. I still enjoy all the training and competing even with all the hours of training and competition that I do each week. If one particular sport is not suited to your personality then try something else. I personally believe that there is a sport out there for everyone to enjoy, whether swimming, karate or like me target shooting.
What are your interests outside of sport?
Amateur photography and model helicopter flying
In your mind, what’s the most memorable moment of past Olympics/Paralympics?
The most memorable moment of the Beijing 2008 Paralympics was wheeling into the final’s hall with thousands of people cheering and of course not forgetting entering into the Birds Nest stadium at the Opening Ceremony.
What word best describes you?
Determined, because if I want to do something I will get it done.
Want to get into Target Shooting?
For further information about Target Shooting at the Swalecliffe and District Target Shooting Club please visit http://simplyshoot.co.uk
