Javanmardi’s Golds at Rio among Memorable Para Sports Moments

Sareh Javanmardi became the first Iranian woman to win a title in shooting with her gold in the women’s P2 (10m air pistol – SH1) at Rio 2016. Five days later, she took another gold in the P4 (mixed 50m pistol – SH1), Paralympic.org reported.

From a Swedish shooter dominating the sport to Iran and North Macedonia making history at Rio 2016, there are plenty of memorable shooting Para sports moments in Paralympic Games.

Sweden’s Jonas Jacobsson is the most successful shooter in Paralympic Games history with 27 medals. At London 2012, the Swede took a gold and a silver in the men’s R7 (50m rifle 3 positions – SH1) and R1 (50m air rifle standing – SH1), respectively, to clinch medals at nine straight Paralympics since Arnhem 1980.

Zhang Cuiping from China was responsible for three of her country’s eight medals in Brazil. She won gold in the mixed R6 (50m rifle prone SH1) and women’s R8 (50m rifle 3 positions SH1) with new Paralympic records, and took a silver in the women’s R2 (10m air rifle standing SH1).

Olivera Nakovska-Bikova gives North Macedonia its first Paralympic gold medal in 20 years winning the women’s P2 (10m Air Pistol – SH1) at London 2012. She celebrated with her coach, Branimir Jovanovski, who had won the only other Paralympic gold medal for their country at Barcelona 1992 (in the same event).

Power couple Vasyl and Olga Kovalchuk were on the podium in Rio 2016. Vasyl landed gold in the mixed R5 (10m Air Rifle Prone - SH2) while Olga took silver in the women’s P2 (10m Air Pistol – SH1).