By Paul Osborne

Michael Johnson will lead three New Zealand Para-shooters to next month's IPC Shooting World Championships in Germany ©Getty ImagesThree-time Paralympic medallist Michael Johnson is set to lead New Zealand's three-strong team of shooters to next month's International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Shooting World Championships in Suhl, Germany, it was revealed today.

Paralympics New Zealand made the announcement with just 37 days to go until the Championships, which will take place in the German city form July 19 to 26.

Johnson secured gold at the 2004 Athens Games in the mixed air rifle standing SH2 event and bronze in both 2008 and 2012 in the same event.

He has also won three World championships medals, including a gold in 2006 and 2010, in Sargans, Switzerland, and Zagreb, Croatia respectively.

He is amongst nine international athletes on the IPC "ones to watch" list going into the event and is aiming to secure two medals during the competition.

"It would be really great to win two medals, but I know it will be challenging with the high level of competition from around the world."

Michael Johnson has won three Paralympic medals throughout his career including gold at Athens 2004 and bronze at London 2012 ©Getty ImagesMichael Johnson has won three Paralympic medals throughout his career including gold at Athens 2004 and bronze at London 2012 ©Getty Images



He will be competing in the R5 air rifle prone and R4 air rifle standing events during the event.

Johnson will be joined by experienced shooters Greg Reid and Grant Philip who have both represented New Zealand in the past, including at numerous IPC World Cup events.

Philip is set to compete in the same two events as his team mate Johnson, while Reid will battle it out in the R3 air rifle prone and R6 50 metre rifle prone events.

"This is a small but high quality team and one that is full of experience," said Paralympics New Zealand high performance director Malcolm Humm.

"Michael Johnson is a world leader in Para-shooting having medalled at the last three Paralympic Games.

"His experience and knowledge has filtered through to other Para-shooting athletes, this being no more evident than seeing the quality performances of Greg and Grant over the past 18 months at IPC Shooting World Cups."

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