Despite being the youngest archer to compete in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Germany's Katharina Schett is confident that her age isn't a disadvantage.

Schett, who was born in 1992, will be just 16 when she competes against archers who are almost twice her age. But that doesn't seem to deter her.

"I'd like to give my best," she says, adding, "I will have to wait and see how I do in this great event. I like to surprise myself."

Schett first began archery at the age of four with the help of her grandfather.

"My grandfather (Alfred Motsch) was my first coach. After that, step-by-step I became better and began to shoot professionally."

She was selected to represent Germany at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games after an impressive performance at the 2007 IPC Archery World Championships in the Republic of Korea, where she ranked fourth.

Now in Beijing, Schett is starting to feel the nerves.

"I am a little bit nervous, but I try to enjoy it. It's also important to me. I think the Paralympics is the biggest event."

(En.paralympic.beijing2008.cn,September 7, 2008)