In this inspiring episode, Ruth Mwandumba, a British Olympic World Class Programme athlete and target shooting sensation, joins me to share her incredible journey. Ruth made history in 2018 as the first black athlete to represent both Great Britain and England in target shooting, and she’s been breaking barriers ever since. Ranked number one in England, a two-time English champion, and a two-time British record holder, Ruth opens up about her unique path to the sport and her unwavering determination to reach the top.
We dive into Ruth’s early days in shooting, starting as an army cadet at school, and how she had to wait until her 20s to pursue competitive rifle shooting due to the lack of nearby clubs. Ruth explains the different styles of shooting, especially in light of the viral Olympic pistol shooting videos, and reflects on the pivotal moment when she started believing the Olympics could be a real goal.
Ruth also shares her exciting experience as a travelling reserve for the Paris Olympics, the lessons she learned, and her ambitions for the 2028 Games. We discuss her #targetchange initiative with British Shooting, aimed at increasing diversity and accessibility in the sport for young athletes.
Drawing from her Malawian heritage, Ruth Mwandumba talks about how it shapes her identity and how her family has supported her career. One of the most touching parts of our conversation is about Ruth’s journey through pregnancy. She opens up about managing morning sickness while preparing for the upcoming European championships, and how female athletes, particularly moms, are changing the landscape for mothers in sports.