CIRENCESTER’S Issy Bailey is one of 10 shooters selected to compete for ParalympicsGB at Rio 2016, alongside London 2012 medallists Matt Skelhon and James Bevis.

Bailey, 22, along with fellow debutants Owen Burke, Lorraine Lambert and Stewart Nangle, impressed in international competition to stake her claim on the team for the first time.

She is set to make her Paralympic debut in Rio after a rapid ascent through the ranks in recent years.

After the former hockey player was involved in a car accident in June 2013 while in her first year at Exeter University, she was introduced to the sport of shooting as part of her rehabilitation.

She quickly rediscovered her competitive spirit and in March 2014, just a few months after she first picked up an air pistol, she represented Great Britain at the IPC Shooting World Cup in Szczecin, Poland.

Away from the range, she enjoys playing wheelchair rugby and played her first game with Gloucester Wheelchair Rugby Club just a year after her injury. She also enjoys playing badminton with the Devon Racqueteers.

Her preparations for Rio coincide with the end of her studies at Exeter, where she has been studying for an undergraduate degree in English.

Issy said: “I’ve achieved so much in the last few years but to make it to Rio is just the icing on the cake.

“I am just so excited to be competing at my first Paralympic Games and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone that’s supported me along the way. It’s also fantastic that the British public are getting behind the team to Supercharge ParalympicsGB – I hope we can make everyone proud.”

Joining Bailey on the team are rifle shooters Ryan Cockbill, Richard Davies and Ben Jesson, who return to the fold for their second Paralympic Games.

Skelhon heads to his third Games as the most decorated athlete on the team, having won gold on his debut at Beijing 2008 and added a silver and bronze medal to the ParalympicsGB tally at London 2012.

Bristol’s Karen Butler is the most experienced athlete to make the cut, with four Games appearances already under her belt since she made her debut at Barcelona 1992.

She said: “I’ve had my sights set on Rio from the moment I finished competing at London 2012, so I couldn’t be happier to know I’ve got my place booked on the plane for Rio.

“The support I’ve had back at home has been incredible and it makes all the difference.”