Lesley Stewart added to ParalympicsGB shooting team for Tokyo 2020

ParalympicsGB has announced Lesley Stewart as the seventh shooter selected to represent the British team at the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Stewart will compete in R8 (50m Rifle 3 Position Women SH1) and R2 (10m Air Rifle Standing Women SH1) and joins the already selected team of Issy Bailey (P2, P3), James Bevis (R5, R9), Ryan Cockbill (R4, R5, R9), Tim Jeffery (R4, R5, R9), Lorraine Lambert (R2, R6, R8) and Matt Skelhon (R3, R6).

The shooter, from Blairgowrie in Scotland, had one chance to secure her quota place and did it at the first time of asking at the World Shooting Para Sport Lima World Cup just a few weeks ago, securing a bronze medal with a score of 427.

It’s been a long journey for the 42-year-old who won European silver in 2013 - she was in the mix for selection ahead of Rio 2016, but countless operations and years in hospital meant she was forced to transition from a below-knee amputee to an above-knee amputee. When she returned to the sport in 2019 it was with a new focus and resolve.

Speaking of her joy at being selected for ParalympicsGB, Stewart, said: “Once I’d actually won the quota place, I was absolutely buzzing with happiness and full of joy.

“It was also a huge relief to have finally secured my quota place given the amount of hard work and dedication that I’ve put in throughout my shooting career.

“For the past three or four years it’s been a difficult time due to serious injury and having to transition from a below-knee amputee to an above-knee amputee has taken a lot of rehabilitation and a long time to get myself back into a position where I can compete.

“I’m now full of pride and it’s an absolute honour to go and represent my country - I’m going to give it absolutely 110%. I can’t wait to get onto that flight to Tokyo.”

Shooting Team Leader, Duncan Tunbridge, said: “I am delighted that Lesley will finally be able to call herself a Paralympian. Her scores in training have been steadily climbing and with competitions being cancelled left, right and centre due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she only had one opportunity to earn a quota place.

“She travelled to the WSPS World Cup in Lima and won that slot at the first time of asking with a bronze medal to boot. She has been brilliantly supported in that journey from hospital bed to the Games by her incredible wife and family, Scottish Target Shooting, Blesma and British Shooting.

“Her positivity and can-do attitude will be an asset to the squad and I’m delighted that we now have seven magnificent athletes on the plane to Tokyo.”

ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission Penny Briscoe said: “Lesley epitomises the spirit and drive of Paralympians worldwide with her resilience and determination to overcome challenges and succeed on the field of play. I have no doubt she will be an asset to the team and I look forward to seeing her in action in Tokyo in less than 50 days’ time.”