Disabled Athlete Shoots for Gold

24/08/2010

Ian Marsden, from Stoke-On-Trent, had a hugely successful career as an able-bodied power-lifting competitor.  Sadly his career came to an abrupt end after a spinal injury confined Ian to a wheelchair.  Despite this, he has shown sheer determination and an athlete’s competitive drive, refusing to admit defeat in the face of numerous challenges.

Keeping focused, Ian found a new sport after becoming disabled and went on to become a professional hand-cyclist, competing for 15 years in Team GB and going on to become the most successful hand-cyclist in Great Britain.

In recent years yet another twist in Ian’s life has led him to take up air rifle shooting in a bid to make the 2012 Paralympics.

Testing Times

In late 2009 Ian was admitted into the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.  At the time, Ian had suspected he was suffering from a prolapse on his neck.  However after numerous tests, doctors came back to him with a completely different diagnosis: Ian had developed a rare motor neurone condition affecting his arms, legs and brain.

Not allowing his new diagnosis to affect his plans Ian, in his hospital bed, began thinking of how he could make it to the upcoming 2012 Paralympics in London.  Due to muscle loss, Ian knew that he would need to take up a new sport so he began contacting various coaches and, following many conversations, decided to take up shooting.

With very little training, Ian showed great promise in the discipline of 10 metre air rifle and in a short space of time he became one of seven Britons to be fast-tracked to the Team GB Paralympics squad.

Going for Gold

The 10 metre air rifle competition has been part of the Paralympic Games since Toronto 1976.  In the sport, disabled shooters use exactly the same guns and clothing as able-bodied shooters.

Ian never lets his mobility restrictions get in the way of his sporting aspirations and has a great inner strength which keeps him going.  Speaking to BBC Midland Today, Ian explains that he wakes up every morning with a burning ambition to be the best and that drives him forward.

Ian has set the bar high for his shooting team: “Gold has got to be the ultimate and just wearing that GB kit feels so special.  I believe that anybody can reach their goal, it just takes a bit of effort and you’ll get there in the end.”