In 1972 Libby Kosmala headed to Heidelberg, Germany to compete at her first ever Paralympic Games. Now forty years later, she’s hoping to head to London for her last.

The Australian Paralympic shooting veteran has decided to call it quits following the London Paralympics, and after qualifying another quota spot for Australia at the IPC Shooting World Cup in Sydney recently, feels post-London will be the perfect time to end her impressive career.

“The reason I’ve stayed in shooting all these years is because I keep winning medals,” said Kosmala.

“I think I should leave way for other shooters in Australia to come along. Luckily and fortunately there’s another girl from Queensland, Natalie Smith. She’s shooting really well and it’s really nice to see another woman taking over my place.”

With eight Paralympic gold medals to her name, the 69-year-old South Australian will likely be the oldest member of the 2012 Australian Paralympic Team and one of the oldest athletes to compete at the London Paralympics.

Having finished fifth in the final of the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 at the IPC Shooting World Cup last month, Kosmala was dismayed at missing the chance to qualify Australia’s second spot in the Paralympic event.

But, in a twist of fate, an appeal was upheld against Turkish Pervin Ayli and Kosmala moved into fourth position, gaining the second qualification spot.

Although her place on the team is not guaranteed and will ultimately be selected by the Australian Paralympic Committee mid-next year, she has now moved one step closer to qualifying for her 11th Paralympic Games.

And after 10 Games, Kosmala believes she’s seen it all.

“The Games have changed, the numbers have changed, the rifles have changed, all the equipment we use has changed,” said Kosmala, who attended her first Paralympic Games in 1968 as a team manager and began her athletic career in 1972.

“There have been some terrific changes and I think the biggest is attitudes towards the disabled have also changed. I think it’s through the Paralympics - it’s made the world a better place for everyone.”

Kosmala was born with a spinal injury and has used a wheelchair her whole life. On top of her impressive sporting career, she is also an advocate for equality for people with a disability and was influential in procuring parking permits for people with a disability in South Australia in the 1970s.

“Libby Kosmala is a celebrated member of the Australian Paralympic Team. She’s been there for the past 10 Games and it will truly be the end of an era in Australian shooting when she finally hangs up her rifle,” said 2012 Chef de Mission, Jason Hellwig.

“Libby’s lifelong service to sport is incredible. She is a great role model for all those who have come after her as her passion, dedication and experience have remained constant as the movement has grown around her. I really hope to see her in London doing what she loves most.”

The Australian shooting team will compete for more qualification slots at the next IPC World Cup in Poland in April, after which team nominations will be submitted to the Australian Paralympic Committee and final selections made mid-2012.  

By Rebekka Wake

Photo: Libby Kosmala at the 2010 IPC World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia.