Biography
Started: Her passion for shooting developed through her step-father, as the two of them would shoot cans and other containers while on family camping trips. She began taking shooting Para sport seriously in 2012. (nzcatholic.org.nz, 02 May 2014; stuff.co.nz, 23 Apr 2019)
Reason: "Shooting is a sport that requires precision, accuracy, concentration and a bit of chance. It's a rewarding feeling when you pull the trigger and shoot a 10.9 [the highest possible score on a single air rifle shot] even when you can't see the tiny white dot you're supposed to be aiming for. Plus I like doing a sport where I can beat the boys." (nzherald.co.nz, 21 May 2014)
Ambition: To achieve a top-eight finish at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (rnz.co.nz, 12 Jul 2024)
Awards: She received the Spirit of Parafed award at the 2021 Parafed Auckland Awards in New Zealand. (Instagram profile, 01 May 2022)
Additional Info: ROLE MODEL
At the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris she will become the first female athlete to represent New Zealand in shooting Para sport at the Games since Alison Smith won air rifle bronze at the 1984 Games. "I'm mind-blown to be the first woman in 40 years to make a New Zealand Paralympic team in shooting Para sport and the first ever female pistol shooter for New Zealand at a Paralympics. My goal is to finish in the top eight, but I just hope to embrace the whole experience. This is something both myself and my wider support team have worked on for more than eight years and to finally represent my country at the Paralympic Games is phenomenal. My goal is to inspire other women to get into the sport." (paralympics.org.nz, 01 Jun 2024)
OCCUPATION
She works in customer services for a bank in New Zealand. (paralympics.org.nz, 01 Jun 2024)
COACHING
She has served as a coach at Parafed Auckland Shooting Club in New Zealand. "It's great seeing more women participating in Para shooting. I love that I get to help support them and encourage them to fall in love with shooting, just like I have." (stuff.co.nz, 23 Apr 2019)
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Details
GenderFemale
Birth DateOctober 14, 1992
Place of ResidenceAUCKLAND
OccupationAthlete, Bank Employee
EducationPsychology, Science, Statistics - University of Auckland, New Zealand
Languages SpokenEnglish
CoachMichael Johnson [air rifle], NZL; Ricky Zhao [air pistol], NZL
Highlights
| Rank | Event | Year | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Championships | ||||
| 8 | P2 - 10m Air Pistol SH1 | 2023 | Lima, PER | 109.1 |
| 12 | P2 - 10m Air Pistol SH1 | 2022 | Al Ain, UAE | 549 |
| 12 | R3 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1 | 2022 | Al Ain, UAE | 631.9 |
| 23 | P2 - 10m Air Pistol SH1 | 2019 | Sydney, NSW, AUS | 536 |
| 23 | R2 - 10m Air Rifle Standing SH1 | 2019 | Sydney, NSW, AUS | 590.4 |
| 50 | R3 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1 | 2019 | Sydney, NSW, AUS | 626.2 |
| 51 | R3 - 10m Air Rifle Prone SH1 | 2023 | Lima, PER | 624.3 |
