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2016 Rio Paralympics: Elizabeth Kosmalae doesn't let age or physical condition stop her

Reporter: Mike Fox 丨 CCTV.com

09-13-2016 15:50 BJT

Full coverage: 2016 Rio Paralympic Games

74-year-old  shooter Elizabeth Kosmalae hasn't let her disability stop her from doing anything in life and as she enters her 12th games, she makes it clear that age is just a number.

This white-haired woman in the wheelchair is Australian shooter Elizabeth Kosmalae, the oldest person at this year's Rio Paralympics, competing in her 12th Games. A truly impressive feat for any sporting event.

Elizabeth was born with a disability and having nearly resigned herself to a life in a wheel chair, a chance to compete in different sports such as swimming, fencing, racing and javelin gave her a lot more to live at the age of 21. But it would be shooting that turned out to be her biggest passion.

The first gold medal was just the beginning in her athletic career. She has been a main stay at the Paralympics, and has managed to earn 9 golds. 

The veteran is now something of a legend, competing at a dozen Paralympics will earn you respect. Like many her age, eyesight became an issue, but the use of specialised glasses has meant she has been able to continue competing against people half her age, or in some cases a third and that doesn't seem to both her. 

Life outside of sport has also been good to her. A husband, two sons and three grand children have watched her success and while they have been by her side during some of her proudest sporting moments, the time in the spotlight is coming to an end and her mind is being made up about what to do next.

In the Rio games she didn't do as well as expected and failed to get into the 10 meter air-rifle final but her legacy will always remain and so will her message to young disabled athletes.

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