HEREFORDSHIRE hot-shot James Bevis is targeting a golden horizon at the Paralympic Games in Rio, Brazil.

Bevis, who grew up in Clehonger, only had one medal on his mind when he flew out to South America on Tuesday.

It will be the third Paralympics for the shooter who is targeting a top finish after securing a bronze medal at London 2012.

Last year, Bevis clinched gold at the IPC Shooting World Cup in Osijek, Croatia, in the R5 10m air rifle prone mixed SH2.

“I feel good and confident and I have just equalled the world record at a training camp,” said the 40-year-old Great Britain athlete.

“It’s now just a case of polishing things up and tiding a few little mistakes before the competition gets under way.

“I know I won a bronze medal four years ago at London but I am heading to Rio to win a gold medal.

“If I am on top of my game, I know I won’t have too much to worry about and hopefully that will mean a high finish.”

Bevis, who lives in Dawlish in Devon, was backed by around 20 family members and friends during an emotional rollercoaster at the Paralympics four years ago.

It could have been even better for Bevis who narrowly lost a sudden-death shootout for the silver medal with France’s Raphael Voltz in the mixed R5 10m air rifle prone SH2.

It was a dramatic three hours of competition over two stages and showed a huge improvement for Bevis, who picked up a pair of 19th placed finishes in the prone and standing at Beijing 2008.

He took up shooting only 18 months before the Beijing Games and has grown into one of the world’s best.

In addition to his main prone event, Bevis will compete in the mixed 10m air rifle standing SH2 at his third Paralympics.

The standing discipline takes place on September 10 with the prone on September 13 – his girlfriend Sarah’s birthday.

He said: “There have been stories about funding issues affecting the Paralympics but I have been looking forward to getting out there. I have been shooting well and my preparation has gone smoothly.”

Bevis is among 10 GB shooters at the Games and currently ranked fifth in his main event – the prone.

“I am fifth in the prone in the world but that’s not entirely accurate because we have not been to all the events with ranking points on offer this season,” he said.

“I finished third at an event in the United Arab Emirates and won two gold medals in Croatia towards the end of last year. I will go to Rio and give it my best shot."