WARRINGTON archer John Stubbs says he wants to “do the nation proud” after being selected for his third Paralympic Games.

The 50-year-old Woolston resident has been named as part of a 10-man British team to travel to the Games in Rio, which start on Wednesday, September 7.

Stubbs has represented Great Britain with distinction over the years, winning individual compound gold at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing.

He reached the round of 16 in London four years ago and says he cannot wait to get out to Brazil.

“I think if you’d told me 12 years ago that I’d be preparing for my third Paralympic Games, I think I’d have been questioning it slightly,” he joked.

“Even though it’s my third Games, I’m just as excited today as when I was first picked for a Paralympics – the feeling never gets old.

“The selection process we have is quite a lengthy one but means you have a good idea in advance whether you’re going or not.

“That doesn’t change the feeling of joy when you get there and it’s still a great buzz when you get the phone call to confirm it.

“Going to the Paralympics is the biggest honour an athlete can achieve and I really hope to do the nation proud.”

Stubbs took up the sport in 1998 after attending an open sports day and has been competing ever since after also representing England at disability cricket between 1995 and 1998.

He was awarded an MBE for services to archery and para-sport in 2006 and says he wants to pass on his experience to younger members of the squad.

“I’m not the kind of person who would refuse to offer someone advice,”

“It’s my third Games, I’ve been there, done it, got the T-shirt and the gold medal.

“I will always be on hand to pass on my experience and I hope it will come in handy to some of my teammates out in Rio.”

Stubbs heads into the event in good form having won two medals at a recent para-archery world ranking event in the Czech Republic.

After winning men’s open compound team gold alongside teammates Michael Hall and Nathan McQueen, he teamed up with Jodie Grinham to win bronze in the compound mixed team event.

He will compete in the open compound category in Brazil and thinks he is in with a chance in what is a “wide open” competition.

“If I shoot to my standard and my capabilities then a medal is a distinct possibility,” he said.

“Of course I’d need a bit of luck along the way like everyone does, but I’m practicing hard and the more I practice the more luck I think I’ll get.

“The open compound competition is wide open this year, anyone can win it.

“I won’t go as far as predicting a medal but I’m aiming to do the best I can.”