Neroli Fairhall, shown here with bow in hand, won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 1982. She can be heard discussing that competition in the sound file. In addition to her Commonwealth gold medal, Fairhall won many medals at the International Paralympic Committee archery world championships and in other competitions. She was national champion of New Zealand and held many records, some for over a decade.
Transcript
Narrator: Ashburton's Neroli Fairhall was the first disabled athlete to be selected for an able-bodied New Zealand Commonwealth or Olympic Games team. Confined to a wheelchair, Fairhall excelled in archery and in 1982 her rapid style delivery took her all the way to the Brisbane Commonwealth Games. Trailing a spirited young Irish competitor going into the last round, Fairhall had to call on all the courage and determination that had taken her that far. She produced a perfect finish three inner golds and she claimed her gold medal.
Neroli: That was a bit of tense moment there. While they counted back on the tens.
Interviewer: There must have been a lot of pressure on that last round to get three golds. What were you thinking going into that last round?
Neroli: Just that I hoped I could get three golds.
Interviewer: You'd been aware of the Irish girl was just a little up on you at that stage?
Neroli: Yes, I wasn't exactly sure how many points, but I knew she had a bit of a lead, yes.
Using this item
Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision. Trailblazers, 19 April 1993/Reference: 15543
Permission of the New Zealand Herald must be obtained before any re-use of this image.