After seriously injuring himself in a motorbike accident, Ashley Adams took up shooting and hasn’t looked back since. At the Beijing Paralympics he was one of Australia’s best chances of a medal in shooting but narrowly missed out twice, gaining fourth place in the 10m air rifle standing and the 50m free rifle prone. Despite his bad luck in the competition, Ashley describes his Beijing experience as paradise.

Ashley has represented Australia at the last four Paralympic Games and in Athens 2004 he brought home a silver and bronze medal, which he sees as his greatest sporting moments. His world record at the English Match in 1998 and being ranked the number one shooter at the Swiss Open (2002/2003) are also great achievements.

He has won the Australia Day Sports Award, the Merit Award at the APC Awards and the Male Athlete Senior Sporting Wheelies Award twice. Recently he finished second in the prone event at the Australia Cup 3 in Sydney, an event for the open able-bodied. Shooting the prone event from the ground is the only Olympic event where there is no difference between able and disabled athletes. Ashley believes this is important as disabled athletes perform at the same level as and higher than able-bodied shooters. Not only does this benefit shooting as a sport but also shows the level of elite competition in the Paralympic movement.

Ashley works as a primary producer with the goal of living a successful and healthy life. He lists his favourite foods as corned beef and potatoes and also enjoys a Bundy and Coke in his free time.