Back in June, Moira Antal, 14, of Bealeton, Va., helped make history as she became the first Paralympic athlete to compete at the Civilian Marksmanship Program’s (CMP) Three-Position Air Rifle National Championship, held at the Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center at Camp Perry, Ohio.
“It’s very fun,” she said with a laugh, speaking of competing in air rifle. “It’s calming. When I shoot, I zone out and let my mind run off wherever it wants, and I just shoot – that’s it.”
Moira has arthrogryposis, a congenital joint contracture that has affected her since birth. She’s also missing two major muscle groups, a bicep and quadricep on her left side, and through the years has additionally developed arthritis, with 10 surgeries to date.
“Her doctor said she would never walk, but here she is,” explained her mother, Wendy, as she looked at Moira and smiled. “She doesn’t like to be told, ‘No.’”
