Norfolk para-archer Mel Clarke celebrates birthday by reaching Paralympic semi-final

Monday, September 3, 2012
10:45 AM

Norfolk para-archer Mel Clarke celebrated her 30th birthday in style, showing nerves of steel to take her place in the semi-final at London 2012 as she looks to add to her 2008 Paralympic bronze medal.

Losing two sets to one after three ends, Clarke knew she had to produce the goods against Miho Nagano of Japan, and she didn’t disappoint, hitting five 10s and a nine with her last six arrows, including a perfect 30 to finish.

Clark now faces Russia’s Stepanida Artakhinova in her semi-final with the intriguing prospect of facing fellow Brit Danielle Brown, who also reached the last four, in the final.

And after she was treated to a rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ by the partisan home crowd, Clarke believes the sky is the limit.

“What better way to celebrate your 30th birthday than shooting here?” said Clarke, from Taverham.

“It does make you go ‘Wow’,” she said. “That was magic. I didn’t expect that.”

“My last five arrows were all 10s which was incredible. One of the most amazing things I’ve ever done. It came down to the last three arrows. That’s the way to do it. I’m looking forward to more 10s next time.”