Great Britain name archers for 2017 Worlds

All four of ParalympicsGB’s 2016 gold-medal winning Para archers will be back in action at next month’s World Archery Para Championships after being named as part of Great Britain’s nine-strong team.

Taking place in Beijing, China, from 12-17 September, the World Para Archery Championships will see the best Para archers come together for what is the first major global gathering of the new Paralympic cycle.

Twelve months ago, ParalympicsGB’s Para archers accumulated the most medals of any nation, finishing with six in total, of which three were gold.

John Walker was involved in two of those victories, in the men’s individual compound W1 and team compound W1 alongside Jo Frith, and both are selected as part of the team for Beijing.

Joining Frith in the women’s W1 category is Jess Stretton, with the latter having beaten her teammate to individual gold in Rio last year, while Victoria Rumary was also selected.

John Kavanagh, winner of Paralympic individual gold at Athens 2004, is the sole male representative in the W1 category.

There is plenty of experience throughout the rest of the team too with Walker joined by Nathan MacQueen and John Stubbs in gaining selection for the compound men open – the latter returning to the scene of his 2008 individual Paralympic triumph.

Jodie Grinham, winner of team compound silver in Rio, will compete in the women’s open alongside rising star Phoebe Pine.

Archery GB Paralympic Performance Manager Tom Duggan said: “We are looking forward to the level of challenge and exposure that the World Championships will bring in Beijing.

“Obviously we had huge success in Rio and with it being the first year of a new cycle the Worlds will provide a great judging point against the best in the world as we continue to develop and prepare for Tokyo.”

Compound Men Open

John Walker

John Stubbs

Nathan MacQueen

Compound Women Open

Jodie Grinham

Phoebe Pine

W1 Women

Jess Stretton

Victoria Rumary

Jo Frith

W1 Men

John Cavanagh

The team may be subject to change pending the outcome of any appeals.