PARALYMPIC boccia gold medalist Zoe Robinson has come out of retirement but admits her return has come too late to fight for a Team GB place at the Rio Games.
Instead, the 26-year-old has set her sights on achieving glory in Tokyo in 2020.
Robinson, from Lowercroft, won gold in the Beijing 2008 Paralympics and bronze in the London 2012 games, but retired from boccia to compete in athletics at club throwing.
After a number of years out of the boules-style sport, she has decided to make a comeback and although this summer’s Paralympics in Rio may be too soon, she is hopeful of adding to her medal tally in Japan in four years' time.
“I’ve returned to boccia as I missed the thrill of the game and the passion came back after having a break”, she said.
“I have only just started back and I have to work my way up again, so I am too late for Rio.
“My plan for the future is to get back in the Great Britain team and then get selected for the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020.
“In Beijing we won team gold and the experience was amazing, especially with only being taken on by Great Britain in 2007.
“In London we won team bronze and the experience of being in front of a home crowd with your family and friends there was fantastic and something you never forget.”
Boccia is played indoors on a badminton-sized court and the aim of the game is to throw as many balls near to a jack in a similar fashion to boules.
Robinson said: “I like playing boccia as I love to compete and it is a great sport for people
with disabilities. I just love it.”
The keen sportswoman has returned to boccia action with the help of local strength and conditioning coach Matt Nuttall.
She is planning to compete in the national championships next month and has been selected for the England team in the upcoming Tatra Cup competition in Slovakia.
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