A Kington athlete will be flying the flag at the Beijing Paralympics, as she becomes the first British woman ever to compete in wheelchair rugby in the Games next month.
Josie Pearson, 22, from Brilley, created history when she was named in a 12-strong squad representing Great Britain.
Josie, who has been described as having “the face of an angel but the tackling skills of Lawrence Dallaglio” will compete in the Games at the University of Science and Technology gym from September 12 to 16.
And the team have great hopes of a medal after eight of them represented Britain in the Athens Paralympics in 2004 and finished fourth.
Brave Josie has faced tougher times than in sporting competition. Five years ago, aged 17, she broke her neck and lost her boyfriend Daniel Evans, who died aged 19, in a head-on vehicle collision.
But she joined the Cardiff Pirates in November 2005 and is also a formidable athlete who competes at 110m, 200m and 400m sprint.
Josie also enjoys horse-riding and her sporting hero is GBR six times Paralympic Gold medal winner Lee Pearson.
