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Page last updated at 08:35 GMT, Thursday, 3 September 2009 09:35 UK

Clarke targets 2012 medal success

By Alex Hill
BBC Norfolk

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Clarke talks to BBC Norfolk's Alex Hill about London 2012

Paralympic archer Mel Clarke is looking to shoot her way to success in the 2012 Games in London.

Clarke is no stranger to the big occasion after winning a bronze medal in the Beijing Paralympics last year.

"There would be nothing better than performing in front of a home crowd and hopefully I can bring a medal back," she told BBC Norfolk.

She recently achieved medal success when competing at the World Championships in the Czech Republic.

"To compete in a World Championships and come back with a gold and silver medal is incredible and I'm really proud of that," she said.

Her recent success is even more remarkable considering the 26-year-old had only just recovered from a wrist injury that had caused her problems since competing in Beijing.

It meant Clarke went into the World Championships with very little training under her belt.

"I'd been struggling with the injury for a while and really didn't expect to perform so well, considering I haven't been able to shoot an arrow in anger," she said.

Archery requires rigid concentration to avoid being distracted by the slightest noise. The ability to stay focussed is key.

Clarke admits that sport psychology did not used to hold much sway with her but as she has got older she has become more involved with it.

"There's a lot of pressure with 6,000 people watching you.

"I work very closely with a sport psychologist as there is obviously a lot of work to do in preparing yourself mentally for big competitions," she added.

She will next tackle the European Championships in 2010 followed by more international competitions to give her the best preparation for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.



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see also
Brown retains world archery title
22 Aug 09 |  Disability Sport
Clarke takes aim at Beijing medal
19 Aug 08 |  Disability Sport
Disability Sport on the BBC
02 Nov 09 |  Disability Sport


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