Having come so close to a Paralympic medal in Rio, Portsmouth shooter Lorraine Lambert is determined to put things right in Tokyo.

Lambert came fifth in the women’s 50m rifle three positions SH1 final three years ago, having been well placed in second place after two of the three sections, kneeling and prone, with just standing to go.

But a few late errors saw her slip to fifth in the final reckoning – something which is spurring her on to future success with her next shot at Paralympic glory now less than a year away.

“It’s crippling when I think about it now,” said Lambert, speaking at a Sainsbury’s store in Aylebsury.

“I was shooting well, I went into the finals in sixth. In the kneeling phase I was third, after the prone section I was second and halfway through the standing section my scores just started to drop and it was literally the thickness of a piece of paper that took me out.

“Our margins are so, so narrow it’s unbelievable.

“I’m pleased with it though, everyone wants to medal, but on that day I got beaten by four other people who were better than me.

“At Tokyo, that isn’t going to happen this time. I’m spurred on by the fact I came so close.”

Rio was Lambert’s first experience of the Paralympic bubble, a time she labels as unforgettable.

However, her journey has not been such plain sailing ever since.

“Rio felt like you were in the best place in the world at that time. You feel so special in it all,” she added.

“I’ve had a few ups and downs since though which has really shown my resilience. I’ve had family troubles and also issues with my gun.

“Guns go off the boil after so many shots and mine went really off the boil at the World Championships in Korea [in 2018].

“I ended up going to Switzerland to get a new gun but I couldn’t get it batch tested in time, I needed to mature the gun too and there wasn’t enough time before an event but I feel everything is back on track now, I feel much more settled going into Australia.”

This season has thus far been fruitful though and a World Championships in Australia in October will provide the perfect chance for the 46-year-old to test herself against the world’s best ahead of the Games.

“My aim in Australia is to win a quota place because at the moment I don’t have one,” added Lambert, who was helping to promote Sainsbury’s role as longest-standing supporter of ParalympicsGB and a champion of inclusive sport for all.

“Things are looking good for me right now so I’m happy but Australia is so pivotal for me.

“We’ve got two or three competitions after that but they’re more of a lead in for Tokyo so to win the quota place first and be at the World Championships, shooting on the Sydney range is going to be phenomenal.

“To be able to shoot against the best in the world at a Worlds really pits your wits against the top guys. It tells you the small margins you need to improve on, the 0.1s and 0.2s.”

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/