Veronika Vadovicova: My best and worst moments

The Slovakian world champion relives the times she will remember forever, and those she would rather forget. 05 Aug 2016

A picture of women on a podium with medals around their neck

Cuiping Zhang poses together with Shibei Dang of China and Veronika Vadovicova of Slovakia following the Women's R8-50m Rifle 3 Positions SH1 competition at the Paralympics in London

Ⓒgetty images

By Jake Smith | For the IPC

Slovakia’s Veronika Vadovicova is one to watch for at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

The R2 (women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1) world champion is also the holder of both the qualification and finals world record in R3 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1).

The Slovakian is hoping that Rio 2016 will deliver a return to her gold medal winning ways from Beijing 2008.

My best moments

1. When I won the gold medal in Beijing for R2 (women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1). The feeling was amazing and really opened the door for me on the way to professional shooting in Slovakia.

2. When I won the bronze medal in London at the 2012 Paralympic Games for R8 (women’s 50m rifle three positions), particularly after I failed in R2 where I finished in seventh place.

3. When I met my partner, who also became my coach and I am glad that we can devote together and complement each other.

My worst moments

I do not expressly remember any bad moments in my career. Moreover, I try to think positive and forget the bad things. Of course I was disappointed when I failed to defend the gold medal at the London Paralympics in R2, but that's sport.

Sport fans from around the world can now buy their Paralympic tickets for Rio 2016 from authorised ticket resellers (ATRs)

The IPC’s Global ATR is Jet Set Sports, and Rio 2016 tickets and packages can be purchased on the CoSport website.

Residents of Brazil can buy 2016 Paralympics tickets directly from the Rio 2016 website.

Visa International is the exclusive payment card and the official payment system for the Paralympic Games.