Janneke Johnson

Briony Johnson, 21, of Oswestry just loves her badminton. She trains every week and says, "I had a go at lots of different sports but I like badminton best." This bubbly athlete has been competing around the country, winning Silver, Gold and Bronze medals at 4 Nations Disability Badminton Championships, and a Silver at Special Olympics National Summer Games in Leicester 2009.

Special Olympics World Summer Games in Athens was her first international competition and she was scared but excited to be chosen. She was one of 157 learning disabled athletes selected from England, Scotland and Wales to compete at 2011's largest sports event. Briony was proud to bring home Gold in Doubles and a Bronze in Singles.

When Briony isn't competing or training, you can find her studying skills for life at Walford and North Shropshire College 3 days a week or volunteering her time to help at a home for the elderly and work experience at a coffee shop. She also loves to do drama and art. As an active member of her Church, she loves to be on 'welcoming duty.'

"Special Olympics has changed my life," she says, "I now do exercises which I didn't do very often before. I really look forward to Mondays! I can also go away without my Mum and Dad for the first time. That's great!"

Briony is the youngest of 6: she has 4 sisters and 1 brother, all of whom are married. Briony was bridesmaid each time and did a brilliant job as ring bearer. She attended the same mainstream school as her siblings which first introduced her to Badminton. CR