PARALYMPICS: Dawlish shooter James Bevis aiming for Gold at Rio Paralympics

By HEDanielClark  |  Posted: September 07, 2016


BRONZE: Paralympic medallist James Bevis who is hoping to win gold


DAWLISH sharp-shooter James Bevis has arrived in Rio with the target of a gold medal at the Paralympic Games.

It will be the third Paralympics for the shooter, who is aiming for a gold medal after winning a bronze medal at London 2012.

Last year, Bevis clinched gold at the IPC Shooting World Cup in Osijek, Croatia, in the R5 10m air rifle prone mixed SH2, and he is aiming to repeat the triumph in Rio.

The 40-year-old, who moved to Dawlish in 2014 after previously living in Teignmouth and Hereford, is among 10 GB shooters at the Games and currently ranked fifth in his main event – the prone.

He finished third and eighth in the two World Cup events this year in the prone, and has also finished ninth and 12th in two standing events, and feels confident of claiming another medal.

Bevis was backed by around 20 family members and friends during an emotional rollercoaster at the Paralympics four years ago as he won bronze.

It could have been even better for Bevis who narrowly lost a sudden-death shootout for the silver medal with France's Raphael Voltz in the mixed R5 10m air rifle prone SH2.

It was a dramatic three hours of competition over two stages and showed a huge improvement for Bevis, who picked up a pair of 19th-placed finishes in the prone and standing at Beijing 2008.

He took up shooting only 18 months before the Beijing Games and has grown into one of the world's best

Bevis, whose classification for the sport is SH2 (upper limb injury), is now aiming for gold in Rio.

In addition to his main prone event, Bevis will compete in the mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2 at his third Paralympics.

The standing discipline takes place on September 10 with the prone on September 13.

Posted by Thom Erik Syrdahl

Source - http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/

Shooters aim for glory at Rio 2016

07.09.2016  

Nearly 150 athletes from more than 40 countries are in Brazil to vie for gold medals at the Olympic Shooting Centre.

Libby Kosmala of Australia competes in the Mixed R6-50m Free Rifle Prone SH1 Qualification Shooting competition at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics © • Getty Images

By Jake Smith | For the IPC

With contests closer than ever, records tumbling and standards rising all the time, 147 of the world’s best shooters are ready for the start of what is expected to be fierce competition at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games from Thursday (8 September).

Rio 2016 marks 40 years since shooting made its debut at the Toronto Paralympic Games in 1976. The growth and development of the sport continues to impress, with 15 qualification and finals world records broken at IPC Shooting World Cups in 2015.

Among the most prolific athletes are Australia’s Libby Kosmala and Sweden’s Jonas Jacobsson. The pair will be making their 12th and 10th appearance at a Paralympics Games, respectively. Both competitors will be out to extend their record medal haul with Jacobsson chasing a lucrative 18th gold medal, while Kosmala will be hoping to make it 12 medals to match her Paralympic appearances.

“A lot of people cannot believe that a woman in her seventies can still be competing at an international Olympic or Paralympic Games,” Kosmala said. “But rifle shooting is a sport where if you are still able to hold the rifle without any tremor, and you can still see well, you can still shoot very well.”

From seasoned shooters to the up-and-comers, they all share a common goal – Paralympic glory. At just 20 years of age the USA’s McKenna Dahl is a fresh face on the Paralympic scene, but she already has a mountain of experience under her belt and is vying for top honours in Rio.

“I expect this to be the hardest competition I have ever competed in, but standing at the top of the medal stand at the Paralympic Games has been a goal of mine for a very long time,” Dahl said.

Dahl will line up alongside New Zealand’s Michael Johnson, a former world and Paralympic champion. Johnson is hoping to regain his 2004 Athens Paralympic title for R4 (mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2), in which he holds the finals world record set in Poland last year.

“I am thrilled to be representing New Zealand at my fourth Paralympic Games,” said Johnson. “It’s a chance to finally put the past four years of hard training and competitions to work.”

Looking back at past performances, China dominated the medal table at London 2012 with four gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Cuiping Zhang was the most decorated athlete with two gold and one bronze.

Zhang is the defending champion in R2 (women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1) and the finals world record holder. However, Slovakia’s Veronika Vadovicova is the reigning world and European champion. Having missed out on the podium at London 2012, Vadovicova will be determined to improve on her performance in Rio.

Great Britain’s Matt Skelhon is also a top contender in the rifle SH1, particularly in R6 (mixed 50m rifle prone SH1). He set a new finals world record on his way to gold at the 2014 World Championships, adding to his qualification world record from his European title win in 2013.

South Korea will also be heavily represented in Rio with eleven athletes. The team topped the medal standings at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games with four gold, three silver and two bronze medals. Keep an eye on debutant Jinho Park, the R3 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1) world champion.

Over on the pistol range, Iran’s Sareh Javanmardidodmani was the bronze medallist in P2 (women’s 10m air pistol SH1) from London 2012 who went on to claim the world title and world record for both qualification and finals. Hungary’s Krisztina David finished behind the Iranian at the World Championships and has been steadily improving.

Javanmardidodmani is also the finals world holder in P4 (mixed 50m pistol SH1).

The Iranian will face Turkish world champion Cevat Karagol.

Other athletes to watch out for in pistol include host nation hopefuls Debora Campos and Geraldo Rosenthal, who will be out to impress in front of their home crowd.

“Sometimes I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders, mainly because these are my home Games and I want to give my best in front of my family and friends,” Campos said.

“I am just very proud to be able to represent my country in Rio. Life in Brazil is so hard for many at the moment.

“I just hope that the Games will bring some joy to the Brazilian people.”

Shooting takes place at the Olympic Shooting Centre in Deodoro between 8-14 September.

Posted by Thom Erik Syrdahl

Source - https://www.paralympic.org/news/shooters-aim-glory-rio-2016

Record number of broadcasters for Rio 2016

05.09.2016

Coverage is expected to reach a global audience of four billion for the first time, and be the start of a digital revolution for Para sport.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has confirmed that theRio 2016 Paralympic Games will be covered by television, radio and online outlets in a record 154 countries between 7-18 September.

It follows on from the London 2012 Paralympic Games where coverage was beamed to 115 countries, and represents a 30 per cent increase in territories showing the Paralympics four years ago.

The IPC is now more confident than ever that it will reach a cumulative global audience of four billion for the first time. It also expects Rio 2016 to be the start of a revolution in the way people watch Para sport, with some broadcasters choosing to create multi-platform options for their viewers online, in apps and on television.

Alexis Schaefer, the IPC’s Marketing and Commercial Director, said: “We are excited to be able to build on the success of 2012, where we reached a cumulative 3.8 billion viewers, with a number of new broadcasters coming on board. Existing partners have also recognised the demand and potential of Para sport by boosting their coverage, utilising new technologies and spreading it across platforms.”

Contributing towards the legacy of Latin America’s first Paralympic Games, American Movil will provide coverage to 21 countries in the Americas. Globo Sport TV will beam images of Brazil’s Para athletes as they attempt to secure a top five finish in the medals table for the hosts.

NBC and NBCSN in the USA will be showing 66 hours, including live online at TeamUSA.org with US Paralympics.

In Canada, an innovative consortium approach between the National Paralympic Committee, CBC/Radio Canada and its partners will lead to more than 1,000 hours of digital, television and radio content.

Japanese broadcaster NHK plan to show 120 hours of dedicated coverage across their networks through television, radio, digital services and 8K Super Hi-Vision, including live.

Europe will have a record of 53 broadcasters. Among them France Televisions will produce more than 100 hours of live broadcasts on France 2 and France 4 and broadcast a series of special programmes and documentaries. Channel 4 continues to push the envelope in broadcasting Para sport with British television’s largest ever team of presenters with an impairment across their 700 hours of live online and TV production.

SuperSport will broadcast the Paralympics in 30 Sub-Saharan African countries, alongside rights holders in Egypt and Libya on the continent more widely.

Australia’s Seven will deliver 14 hours of live coverage a day across the network’s digital platform, citing the most comprehensive, technologically advanced multi-platform coverage ever for a Paralympic Games. TVNZ and rights holders Attitude Pictures announced plans for more than 180 hours of coverage in New Zealand online on TVNZ’s fully live streamed TV channel DUKE.

“Overall digital output is increasing, alongside our own social media coverage with even more behind the scenes content and real-time videos than ever before and a record 680 hours of livestreaming at Paralympic.org on 15 high definition channels,” Schaefer continued.

“We are in a fantastic position across the world, including growth in the Americas which will make a huge contribution to the legacy of Rio 2016.

“I am delighted that we are enjoying great relationships with our largest ever group of broadcasters, who are essential and committed to building the profile and reach of the Paralympic Movement around the world.”

Fans can find out where the can watch Rio 2016 in their country at https://www.paralympic.org/watch-rio-2016, with more deals expected to be added before Rio 2016 gets underway.

Posted by Thom Erik Syrdahl

Source - /www.paralympic.org/news/

NRAI felicitates Abhinav Bindra

Abhinav Bindra.

The president of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), Raninder Singh, showered praise on Abhinav Bindra at a function here on Sunday to felicitate the former World and Olympic 10m air rifle champion, who had signed off on his brilliant career with a superb run at the Rio Olympics.

“When any kid asks me how to become a good shooter, I say ‘watch Abhinav train. The focus, the dedication, the professionalism that he brings to the sport is truly one to emulate’,” said Raninder Singh.

The NRAI president also expressed hope that Bindra’s retirement from active shooting would only mean the beginning of an even greater professional career for the champion shooter.

Bindra said: “My talent lies in my hard work. My performance at Rio gave me a good closure. I could not have done any more. I have given my all to shooting and have got back more than what I had visualised.”

Bindra also praised the NRAI saying it had the potential to become a model sports federation.

On the occasion, an International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)-accredited training centre was also inaugurated. The ISSF Academy is the official sport development wing of the world governing body. It runs all the coaching and sports development related courses.

Many of the leading shooters, apart from the former IOC member and secretary general of the Olympic Council of Asia, Raja Randhir Singh, were present.

Bindra was accompanied by his parents and sister, who had stood by him like a rock all through his career.

Bindra will continue as chairman of the Athletes Commission of the ISSF till 2018.

Keywords: National Rifle Association of India, Abhinav Bindra, International Shooting Sport Federation

Posted by Thom Erik Syrdahl

Source - http://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/national-rifle-association-of-india

Experience to be ‘key factor’ for UAE shooter Alaryani

04.09.2016

The Paralympic champion knows he has a target on his back but is staying focused ahead of Rio 2016.



Abdulla managed to beat hot favourite Jonas Jakobsson to win gold in the Mixed 50m Rifle prone SH1. © • Getty Images

By Jake Smith | For the IPC

After tasting gold in London, the United Arab Emirates’ reigning Paralympic champion, Adbulla Sultan Alaryani is hungry for more at theRio 2016 Paralympic Games.

The shooter will feature in four disciplines at the Olympic ShootingCentre in Deodoro and has his eyes fixated on gold.

“My expectation is to be one of the strongest competitors in all four events R1 [men’s 10m air rifle standing SH1], R3 [mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1], R6 [mixed 50m rifle prone SH1], and R7 [men’s 50m rifle three positions SH1]. I believe competition will be tough, but my goal is the gold” Alaryani said.

Alaryani is currently R1 finals world record holder as well as the R7 qualification world record holder. The Emirati has easily been one of the most impressive shooters in 2016, winning two gold medals and one silver at the season opening IPC Shooting World Cup in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, followed by another gold medal and two silvers at the World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand in March. Alaryani undeniably has a large target on his back, but if his composure can match his confidence he will go a long way towards winning.

“My third participation [at a Paralympic Games] is different this time because I am the current champion and gold medallist from London. The challenge is now bigger as I have to achieve more and continue on as the champion,” he said.

“Of course I have a good base in balancing my focus, but my priority leans more towards the three positions over prone. The name of this game is giving me the encouragement to be strong, but controlling my nerves is not easy at all - experience will be the key player.”

Alaryani was part of the UAE able-bodied shooting team at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, but was left paralysed from the waist down after a serious car accident a year later. Since then, he has played a huge role in raising awareness for athletes with impairments and is heavily involved in the development ofshooting Para sport.

“It has been a big transition [from Olympian to Paralympian], but I found it true that 'where there is a will, there is a way’.

“As the first Arabic shooter registered with the IPC, it has been interesting to observe the development and be part of the growth of the disabled Games in general and shooting in particular. And now I'm proud to be not only an athlete, but also a coach for four members of the UAE shooting team, where three of them are also going to Rio” Alaryani said.

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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 theCoSport 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.

Posted by Thom Erik Syrdahl

Source - https://www.paralympic.org/news