Paralympian #148 Michael Johnson MNZM drew upon his vast reserves of experience to take a bronze medal earlier today (Thursday 30 October) in the R4 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 at the World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) World Cup in Al Ain in the UAE.
Despite breaking his leg several months ago and experiencing a badly compromised build up, the three-time Paralympic medallist executed a top-quality performance of skill and precision.
Leading the qualifiers with a total score of 631.8 to advance to the eight-strong final, Johnson, the Paralympic champion in the R4 event at Athens 2004, sat joint fifth after the first stage of the final with a total of 52.0.
Drawing upon 23 years of competing on the international stage, he maintained his composure to progress to the final three of the elimination stage of the competition before exiting the competition with bronze in his pocket. Gold was secured by Ryan Cockbill of Great Britain ahead of home Para athlete Ayesha Almehairi of the UAE, who took silver.
Given his challenging build up it was an outstanding achievement by Waiuku-based Johnson, who also claimed bronze medals in the R4 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 at both the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Paralympic Games.
“Three months ago, I had a fall at home in my standing frame and broke my fibular bone,” explains Johnson, who finished fifth in the R4 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Standing SH2 at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. “I couldn’t train for ages, I was wearing a moon boot, and it was a big struggle. I was umming and ahhing about whether to come on this trip because I was worried about reinjury.”
However, after medics gave him the all clear to compete he decided to fly to Al Ain, which proved the right decision.
Michael felt he did not shoot particularly well in qualification, so surprised himself to top the standings. However, despite nursing a head cold, the performance filled him with confidence, and he held his nerve in the final to claim another international podium.
“It was super-hot and there were lots of flies, which was really distracting,” explains Johnson. “For much of the final I was lying in fourth, fifth and sixth position, so I had to keep fighting my way back. I stayed confident, I had some good shots, and it paid off. I feel great, it is cool (to win bronze). It shows although I’m competing against much younger people sometimes experience really helps.”
Johnson now turns his attention to the R5 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone SH2 with qualification on Friday (31 October) from 10.15pm followed by the final at 1am on Saturday (1 November).
The next Kiwi in action at the WSPS World Cup in Al Ain is Paralympian #236 Neelam O’Neill in the P2 Women’s 10m Air Pistol SH1. O’Neill, who finished tenth in this event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, is in qualification action at 10pm today (Thursday 30 October) with the final at 1.45am (Friday 31 October).
*All times NZ.
*For the full schedule go here
*For results go here
