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Para-Shooter Chris Pitt, 56, could barely hold a pistol following treatment for tongue cancer in November last year.
The gruelling treatment saw Pitt endure 30 rounds of radiation and a 14 hour surgery to remove half his tongue.
The epitome of determination, will power and persistence saw Pitt reach his ultimate goal of making it to Tokyo.
The two time Paralympic Para-Shooter absorbed his usual nerves when he contested the P1 Men’s 10m Air Pistol, Class SH1 this morning capturing a score of 542 to place 25th.
“It’s been so long since I have been able to compete, it feels good to be able to get back out there. I felt much better than the result, I really enjoyed myself,” said Pitt.
The Bundaberg local said he always saw today’s event as a ‘warm up’ ahead of his pet event, the P3 Mixed 25m Pistol which he will contest on Thursday.
With two shots to go in the final round, a technical malfunction interrupted the veteran shooter.
“An insect landed on the target and set it off which brought me plenty of time before I landed my last two shots, I wasn’t concerned” said Pitt.
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Pitt who narrowly missed out on the bronze medal in the P3 event at the 2016 Rio games said his shooting results, especially over the last few months, have been very inconsistent so “I just go out there and do my best, don’t have expectations”.
Growing up on a cane farm Pitt was no stranger to rifle shooting in his teenage years but never shot a pistol until 2010 when he joined some friends at a come and try event at a local club in Bundaburg.
“I went to a 25m range and thought, how can you miss. I did miss and then from that point forward I was hooked,” said Pitt.
Pitt who is a full time carer for his mother said he knows she would be proud he made it to another Paralympics regardless of the result.
“I know I have given mum a few grey hairs over the years but she is very proud, as is my sister. She looked after me for all those years and now I am looking after her, so it’s gone a full circle,” said Pitt.
When he was 10 years old Pitt contracted an unknown virus resulting in muscular dystrophy, leaving him in a wheelchair.
“I have vivid memories of being sick, those things just stick in your head. I try not to think about it, it’s in the past and I can’t change it,” said Pitt.
“I was lucky, I had 10 years of a great childhood, I still remember all the things I used to do, I remember the feeling of running on the beach and playing football.”
When asked why he loves his sport Pitt says “it is something I can do by myself without assistance from anyone, I like fishing and boating but need someone with me for that. Shooting allows me to chill out and that’s why I get enjoyment from it.”
Watch the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games live and free on Seven and 7plus from August 24 – September 5.
The Australian Para-Shooters will be in action until 5 September at Asaka Shooting Range
09:30 (10:30 AEST) Wednesday 1 September – Natalie Smith and Anton Zappelli, R3 Mixed 10m Air Rifle Prone, Class SH1
0845 (09:45 AEST) Thursday 2 September – Chris Pitt, P3 Mixed 25m Pistol, Class SH1
09:30 (10:30 AEST) Sunday 5 September – Anton Zappelli, R6 Mixed 50m Rifle Prone, Class SH1
By: Amanda Scott, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 31 August 2021
