Danielle Brown won gold in the individual compound open at the World Archery Para Championships in Turin last month as well as two silvers in the team and mixed team compound open, ensuring her qualification for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
The 23-year-old from Lothersdale has been nominated several times for the prestigious award and never won it before but after securing 29 per cent of the vote via the IPC's official Facebook page she has claimed the title.
Brown beat off stiff competition from the Dutch wheelchair tennis duo Maikel Scheffers and Ronald Vink, who got 16 per cent of the public vote after they won the men's doubles at the British Open and Wimbledon. Also with 16 per cent of the public vote was Switzerland's world champion archer Philippe Horner, who like Brown won gold in Turin.
Brown, who has reflex sympathetic dystrophy in the feet and therefore competes sitting down or leaning on a stool, made history last year when she became the first Paralympian to represent England in an able-bodied event at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.
She went on to win gold in India in the women's team compound alongside team-mates Nicky Hunt and Nichola Simpson as the team beat Canada in the final by 232-229.
It was a remarkable achievement for Brown, who just before the event graduated in Law from the University of Leicester, and she is now focused on defending her Paralympic title at London 2012 next year.
“My gold medal at the Commonwealth Games drew a lot of attention back home, which was good for archery! Thanks to the medal, I was awarded a contract with UK sport and I can now train full time. My main objectives are the upcoming World Para Championships in Turin and, of course, the Paralympic Games in London.”
Source: Tom Degun / Inside World Parasport
