Paralympian Brown set to make history at the Commonwealth Games

DANIELLE Brown looks set to become the first Paralympian to compete for England at the Commonwealth Games after she was named in a 12-strong archery squad for Delhi 2010.

MAKING HISTORY: Danielle Brown looks set to be the first Paralympian to compete for England at the Commonwealth Games in an able-bodied event (Getty Images)

Brown, who scooped individual compound gold at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, has been selected along with Olympic bronze medallist Alison Williamson after a two-day selection event in Coventry.

Brown finished second in the women's compound match behind Nicky Hunt and has proven pedigree on the global stage, scooping gold at the last two IPC World Championships.

She said: "I am really happy. I did not think that I would even make it as far as this weekend's qualifying event, so to be selected for the Commonwealth Games team is fantastic."

Brown's achievement was hailed by ParalympicsGB chief executive Phil Lane.

“This is an outstanding achievement and we are absolutely delighted for Danielle," he said.

 

“Danielle’s selection shows what an excellent athlete she is and demonstrates the high standard of performance required to compete at world class level at both the Paralympic and Commonwealth Games.”

 

Four-time Olympian Williamson won the women's recurve match allowing her to qualify for Delhi alongside Amy Oliver and Naomi Folkard, who came second and third respectively.

Williamson said: "It is a great opportunity for me to go to a Commonwealth Games as an archer. I am looking forward to competing in Delhi and being part of the England Team."

Meanwhile, 1992 Olympic bronze medallist and Beijing 2008 Olympian Simon Terry comfortably won the men¹s recurve match.

Terry came out of retirement in 2007 after a 13-year absence from the international scene. He will be joined in Delhi by Larry Godfrey and Alan Wills.

Selection for the men¹s compound team was competitive. The field comprised of a trio of archers (Liam Grimwood, Chris White and Duncan Busby) who had recently claimed bronze in the team compound at the World Cup event in Antalya, Andy Rikunenko who won gold at the European Championships and Paralympic gold medallist John Stubbs.

After a tough final day of competition, the men's compound team for Delhi will comprise of Grimwood, White and Busby.