Shooting Tradition Continues With Experienced Duo Named For Paris

Australia’s hope for its first Paralympic medal in shooting in 12 years rests in the steady hands of two athletes who have shown extraordinary resilience and skill to reach a combined seven Paralympic Games. 

Paralympics Australia announced Natalie Smith and Anton Zappelli to the Australian Paralympic Team at a ceremony in Sydney, continuing our nation’s proud record of representation in shooting at every Games since the sport was included on the program in 1976.  

Smith will compete at her fourth Paralympics as Australia’s most recent medallist, winning bronze in the 10m air rifle standing SH1 at London 2012. She will be joined by two-time world championship silver medallist Anton Zappelli, who will compete at his third Paralympics.  

Smith said experience would count in her favour when competition begins at Chateauroux Shooting Centre on August 30.  

“It’s definitely easier to deal with the pressure because I’ve been to a few Games before,” she said. “The pressure to perform that you put on yourself can really work against you. Having the experience I have means that I know I don’t have to put that pressure on myself.  

“You can’t influence anybody else, it’s so individual, so you just have to do what you can and, once the scores come in, then you figure it out. It makes it hard to set goals but, obviously, we’d all like to win a gold medal. Realistically, it’s about doing your best on the day, see who holds it together and then we see how it ends up.”  

Shooting is in Smith’s family; her grandfather was on track to compete at the 1956 Olympics but fell ill before the Games. Smith started competing in 2010 shortly after she acquired paraplegia and made rapid progress.  

“After my accident, I didn’t know what I could or couldn’t do,” she said.  

“To find an avenue through sport that gives you opportunities, gives you social interaction, it’s been so important for me. It’s so easy to isolate yourself, but shooting has done so much for me in so many ways.  

“It’s exciting to be going to another Paralympics. Each Games presents challenges. This one’s presented quite a few. But any time you can rise up to challenges and overcome them, it’s something special. The reward of competing for Australia and going to the Paralympics, it’s just unbelievable.” 

Australia has won 15 gold medals in Paralympic shooting – nine by Libby Kosmala, five by Barbara Caspers and one by Allan Chadwick – but none since 1988.  

“Australia has a great history in shooting at the Paralympic Games,” Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin said.  

“We enjoyed enormous success particularly in the 1980s. Nine gold medals at the 1984 Games will be hard to top, but we’re really proud of the Natalie and Anton for the commitment they’ve shown over several years to stay at that elite level, competing for Australia. 

“Thank you to Shooting Australia and everyone who’s played a part in helping our shooters reach this point. We can’t wait to see Natalie and Anton in action and we’ll be doing everything we can to support them in achieving their goals in Paris.” 

 By David Sygall, Paralympics Australia.

Published 22 July, 2024.