AFTER BEING on the podium at the past two Paralympic Games, Fleet’s Lucy Shuker is hoping to upgrade her medal and go all the way in Tokyo.

The Wheelchair Tennis player won bronze medals in the women’s doubles with Jordanne Whiley at the Games in London and Rio.

A fourth Paralympics is on the horizon for the 39-year-old who has success firmly in her sights despite a year full of ups and downs.

But winning her first Paralympic medal in front of her home crowd is something that Shuker will never forget.

“London has got to be my most memorable experience,” said Shuker, speaking at a Sainsbury’s store in Bournemouth.

“The whole country absolutely smashed it in terms of the way that the Games were held and the support we had from the whole nation.

“The team itself, we did unbelievably well, but for Jordi and I to come back from two match points down to actually win a medal in a three-hour match was unbelievable.

“I think being on that podium is one of my ultimate memories that I’ll always treasure.”

Winning a medal at the two previous Paralympic Games was not an easy journey for Shuker, as the duo battled back in their match in 2012 while Whiley had a severe wrist injury in 2016.

Shuker has had a rollercoaster year on the court where she has struggled to maintain form in the singles and is determined to improve that.

But the ultimate aim for 2020 would be to come back to Great Britain with a gold medal in the doubles.

“I’m in a position where my singles ranking is not as good as my doubles ranking,” explained Shuker, who was helping to promote Sainsbury’s role as longest-standing supporter of ParalympicsGB and a champion of inclusive sport for all.

“But I think it also reflects maybe where I’ve been creating a new team and a new set up.

“There’s been some disappointing singles results and yet in the doubles results, I’m number six in the world and that’s been awesome.

“So, looking ahead to Tokyo I’d like to try and get back up in the singles rankings and be a seeded position going there.

“But ultimately I think Jordi and I have the ability to push for a gold medal there and go for it so that’s something really exciting.

“It’s a real honour to represent ParalympicsGB and I think I’m also in the best place possible to maybe achieve a gold medal and hear the GB anthem on the podium which for me would be the ultimate dream come true.”

Sainsbury’s is the longest-standing supporter of ParalympicsGB and a champion of inclusive sport for all. Sainsbury’s commitment to helping customers live well for less has been at the heart of what we do since 1869. For more information on Sainsbury’s commitment to inclusive sport visit https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/