Name: Richard Bruce Faulds
Event: Shooting
Date of Birth: 16th March 1977, Age 35
Career Highlight: Winning a gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Did you Know?: Faulds suffered from a weak left eye, which was corrected by special dot-to-dot exercises with such good effect that he now shoots left-handed.
Richard Faulds is a leading British shooter who was awarded an MBE for his services to the sport. Born in Guildford, Faulds first started shooting at the age of ten, and displayed a natural ability. He was aided by his father’s enthusiasm, since his father constructed a purpose built range on the family farm, which allowed him to develop his skills.
Faulds started competing internationally for Britain at the age of only 13, finishing third in his first World Junior Championship, before winning it at the age of 16. In 1996 he represented his nation in the Olympic Games at Atlanta, finishing fifth, before becoming European Champion the following year.
After three years as an instructor, Faulds became a full time shooter, breaking the world record double trap score, the event he then went on to win gold in at Sydney in 2000. Since then he has struggled to replicate such success, finishing only 13th in Athens and losing his Olympic title, before finishing 6th in Beijing.
A string of domestic titles belong to Faulds who has demonstrated himself to be one of the top individuals at his discipline, not only within England, but also in the world. However attaining a medal in London will be a challenge for the undoubtedly talented 35 year old, and he will be hoping that the occasion will drive him on to success.
