Hot-shot Matt and goalie Ryan on their way to Rio

Paralympics - Stilton shooter aiming for more medals

Two local sportsmen were this week selected to represent Team GB at the 2016 Paralympics making it three locals so far. OntheplanetoRioinSeptemberwill beexperiencedshooter Matt Skelhon from Stilton and Stanground footballer Ryan Kay. And they’ll be joining Sawtry triathlete Lauren Steadman, who was selected last month.

Skelhon heads to his third Games as the most decorated athlete in the 10-strong shooting team, having won gold on his debut at Beijing 2008 and adding a silver and bronze medal to the ParalympicsGB tally at London 2012.

He said: “Representing your country at a Paralympic Games is such an honour and I’m absolutely delighted to be selected to the team for Rio.

“It makesallofthehoursof training so worthwhile. The level of competition is rising and it can all come down to one shot, so I’ll need to be on topofmygameinSeptember.”

Skelhon, who was left paralysed from the waist down after a car accodent in 2005, is the current European and world champion, and world record holder, in the 50m prone .22 discipline.

Steadman (23) will also be making her third appearance at the Paralympics.

She competed as a swimmer in Beijing and London andthenswitchedtotriathlon in 2012. SheisthereigningEuropean and world champion and will be one of the favourites to take the gold medal in Rio.

Steadman was born without a right forearm and competes in the PT4classifcation.

Nineteen year-old Kay was named on Monday in the GB seven-a-side football team.

He’s a goalkeeper who suffers from cerebral palsy and will be making his first appearance at the Paralympics. He competed for England at last year’s IFCPF ( International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football) World Championships.

Upon hearing the news of his selection he said on Twitter: “I’m soproudtoannounce that I have been selected to represent Great Britain in Rio.”

The 14- strong team includes former Everton FC Academy player Michael Barker, former Birmingham City FCplayer Jack Rutterand SeanHighdale, whopreviously played for Liverpool FC and also represented England at Under 16 level.

The squad also features former Tranmere Rovers forward Ollie Nugent, who currently plays for Chester FC.

Kay first started playing football at six years-old for Park Farm.

Shooter MattSkelhon and triathlete Lauren Steadman (inset).

Ryan Kay (right) with his brother Richard.