Paralympian Michael Johnson #148 MNZM produced an outstanding display under intense pressure to claim a brilliant silver medal in the R4 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 event at the Changwon 2026 WSPS World Championships.
The three-time Paralympic medallist, who has competed at six Paralympic Games – a record-equalling tally for a New Zealander – fired an Oceania record score of 254.1 in the eight-man final to claim the sixth World Championships podium finish of his illustrious career.
That the 52-year-old’s latest medal has come some 20 years after he claimed his first in this event adds further gloss to his remarkable longevity at the highest level.
Johnson, who suffered a rifle malfunction in this event that led to him finishing 21st in R4 qualification at his last World Championships appearance three years ago in Lima, Peru, said: “It’s exciting and a real comeback after what happened in Lima. It’s super exciting to win a World Championships silver medal. I never normally do that well at this South Korean range. It’s awesome.”
Johnson performed heroically in the final, achieving four maximum scores of 10.9.
“I had a long wait between qualification and the final and I was starting to feel the nerves,” he explains. “It was quite hot, which was a good indicator my body was preparing itself. Once I got to the final, I just tried to remain calm and focus on hitting some good, clean shots. I came away a bit disappointed with some of the low shots, but I had enough 10.9s, 10.8s and 10.7s which helped push me back up. I am super stoked to win silver.”
Johnson now turns his attention to the R5 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 event, which takes place on Tuesday (15 September). Frustratingly, having just missed out on an LA28 Paralympic Games quota spot by one place with his R4 silver medal, he adds: “The R5 event gives me another chance at winning the jackpot (an LA28 quota spot), so hold on to your hats, I’m going to be chasing it.”
The next Kiwi to compete at Changwon 2026 is Paralympian #236 Neelam O’Neill PLY in the P2 Women’s Air Pistol SH1. Later that day, she competes in the R3 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1 alongside Paralympian #206 Greg Reid PLY.
***For full results go here.
***To read more on Michael go here.
