Great Britain name shooting team for Rio 2016

Ten shooters will represent Great Britain at September’s Paralympic Games, including Beijing 2008 gold medallist Matt Skelhon. 10 Jun 2016

Matt Skelhon will be one of the host country's best bet to medal in Shooting at London 2012.

ⒸBritish Shooting

By ParalympicsGB

Paralympic medallists will headline Great Britain’s 10-member shooting Rio 2016 team, which has been announced with three months to go until September’s Paralympic Games.

Matt Skelhon will head into his third Paralympics as the most decorated shooter on the team, having won gold on his debut at Beijing 2008 and added one silver and one bronze at London 2012.

“Representing your country at a Paralympic Games is such an honour and I am absolutely delighted to be selected to the team for Rio,” said Skelhon.

“It makes all of the hours of training so worthwhile. The level of competition is rising and it can all come down to one shot, so I will need to be on top of my game in September.”

The 31-year-old will be joined by London 2012 bronze medallist James Bevis, as well as Paralympic debutants Issy Bailey, Owen Burke, Lorraine Lambert and Stewart Nangle.

Karen Butler will be the most experienced British shooter in Rio, with four Paralympic appearances already under her belt since she made her debut at Barcelona 1992.

“I have had my sights set on Rio from the moment I finished competing at London 2012,” she said.

“I could not be happier to know I have got my place booked on the plane for Rio.

“The support I have had back at home has been incredible and it makes all the difference. I hope I can go out there and make everyone proud.”

The remaining three team members are rifle shooters Ryan Cockbill, Richard Davies and Ben Jesson, who all will return to the fold for their second Paralympic Games.

Team leader Pasan Kularatne said: “Today’s announcement is the culmination of years of hard work from these athletes, and I am very proud of their contribution to this sport.

“We have enjoyed great success this cycle, with countless World Cup medals but the highlight must be a world title for Matt Skelhon with a world record score.

“We know just how high the standard of competition is internationally, so we will make sure we have everything covered in our preparations for the Games.”

Penny Briscoe, Great Britain’s Rio 2016 Cheff de Mission, added: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome these athletes to ParalympicsGB and would like to congratulate them on their selection to the team.”

This announcement brings the number of selected British athletes to a total of 91, across the sports of sailing, judo, table tennis, powerlifting, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball (women’s), swimming and shooting.

Great Britain shooting team

Issy Bailey

James Bevis

Owen Burke

Karen Butler

Ryan Cockbill

Richard Davies

Ben Jesson

Lorraine Lambert

Stewart Nangle

Matt Skelhon

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