Norris Eyes Back to Back Gold

WAIS wheelchair basketball athlete Shaun Norris is set to represent Australia at his third Paralympics in London 2012.

Norris was a starting five member of the Australian Rollers team that claimed gold in Beijing and backed up with a World Championship title in 2010.

After a silver medal with the Rollers at Athens in 2004, Norris realised his dream four years later in Beijing when he brought home the gold alongside fellow WAIS athletes and Western Australians Brad Ness, Justin Eveson and Michael Hartnett.

Not willing to rest on his laurels, Norris is as determined as ever to defend Australia’s mantle at the top of wheelchair basketball and is looking to bring home his third Paralympic medal.

Norris is currently considered one of the best wheelchair basketball athletes in the world, with the prolific scorer named in the tournament All-Star Five following the 2010 World Championships.

With the Rollers having already qualified for the London Games, the next nine months for Norris are all about preparing himself physically and mentally for the 2012 Paralympics where he believes the Australian Rollers are in good shape to defend their title.

“I think our chance of defending our place as the number one team in the world is as good as ever,” he said.

“I mean its tournament basketball and anything can happen, but you can only control what you do and we will be as prepared as we possibly can by the time that first game tips off.”

Norris says he wouldn’t be surprised if the same top four teams from the 2008 Beijing Paralympics are again fighting it out for the medals in London.

“We will definitely be the hunted in London,” he said.

“I think the USA, Canada and Great Britain will all be really tough, but even someone like Italy can really push you on their day and I wouldn’t be surprised if they upset a few teams,” said the Perth Wheelcats stalwart.

When asked if London would be his last Paralympic campaign, Norris said he is optimistic about his chances to go to Rio in 2016.

“As long as the passion and drive is still there I would like to go around again for sure.”

Norris will again be in action for the ‘Be Active’ Perth Wheelcats in 2012 at the Herb Graham Recreation Centre. For all game times and schedules, please check www.wheelchairsportswa.org.au

-WheelchairSports