Ruth Mwandumba, who made history as the first black athlete to represent both Great Britain and England in shooting, has her sights set on Olympic glory after winning the 2025 Grand Pride Of Sefton Award.
Ruth was presented with the prestigious accolade at The Grand in Southport by former WBA middleweight boxing champion Martin Murrary, owner of the Think F.A.S.T. Academy, at the Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards at The Grand in Southport.
She was recognised due to her remarkable achievements and contributions to the sport of target shooting.
Ruth, who lives in Southport and previously lived in Waterloo, is a dedicated athlete currently on the British Olympic World Class Programme.
Last year, she was selected as a reserve athlete for the Paris 2024 Olympics and is now setting her sights on the LA 2028 Games.
Ruth is not just an exceptional competitor; she is a two-time English Champion and a two-time British Record Holder, currently ranked #1 in England. Her hard work has been recognised with a UK Sport APA Award, which supports her Olympic ambitions through funding from the National Lottery.
Despite being pregnant with twins, Ruth continues to excel in her sport and has already been selected to represent Great Britain at the European Championships in March 2025. She aims to return to competition postpartum in time for the World Championships in Egypt in November 2025.
Beyond her athletic prowess, Ruth is passionate about making target shooting more inclusive and diverse.
She launched the #TargetChange initiative with British Shooting, engaging new audiences and promoting diversity in the sport.
She actively hosts free ‘have-a-go’ days across the country, inspiring others to take part in shooting.
Ruth exemplifies dedication, resilience, and a commitment to community enrichment.
The Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards are organised annually by Mikhail Hotel And Leisure Group and Stand Up For Southport with media support from In Demand Radio, with each of the 13 categories sponsored by supportive local businesses.
Over 2,000 nominations were received for this year’s Grand Pride Of Sefton Awards.
Next year’s awards will take place at The Grand on Lord Street in Southport on Friday 24th April 2026.
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