Stubbs fires Britain’s second archery gold

Sharp-eyed arrowman John Stubbs won Britain’s second Paralympic archery gold of the day with another near perfect performance in the individual compound open event.

Stubbs’ 116-111 victory over Italy’s Alberto Simonelli gave Britain its third medal of the day at the Olympic Green Archery Field in Beijing after Danielle Brown and Mel Clarke took gold and bronze in the equivalent women’s event this morning.

Stubbs was in fine form, out-firing Swiss bowman Philippe Horner in the semi-final 114-109 before hitting eight maximum 10s and four nines from his 12 arrows in the final against the outclassed Italian.

“I’m absolutely over the moon,” said the 43-year-old North Cheshire Bowman who is competing at his first Paralympic Games. “It’s something I’ve only ever dreamed about and now it’s reality.”

A world champion in this event in 2005, Stubbs first made his name playing cricket for England’s disabled team between 1995 and 1998.

He was fifth in the world championships last year but has been on target throughout the tournament in Beijing, setting a 72-arrrow world record in the ranking rounds and a 12-arrow Paralympic record in his first knock out match.

“I just wanted to shoot well and after that I wasn’t looking any further,” said Stubbs. “I shot good arrows when it mattered most and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of it.”

With one gold and a bronze Britain’s archers have already exceeded their Athens tally of two golds and hope to add more medals through John Cavanagh in the individual compound (W1) event tomorrow.

The team competitions are on Monday (15 September).