Bowls: Bowler John Hughes is on top of the world after winning a bronze medal

Jun 3 2011 by Lizzie Smith, Kilmarnock Standard

BOWLER John Hughes battled through illness to bring home a world bronze medal to Stewarton.

The 67-year-old won the gong competing in the singles at the International Bowls for Disabled in South Africa – despite being hospitalised three days earlier with a chest infection. He took ill after arriving in the country.

John, who had his foot amputated two years ago, had spent five hours hooked up to a drip.

The former joiner said: “I was determined I was not going to give up the chance of winning a world medal.

“I didn’t care if they had to carry me to the green, I wasn’t missing it.

“It was a fantastic experience. The tears were streaming down my cheek when I won the medal.”

John narrowly missed out, by two shots, on winning another world bronze medal in the pairs competition.

The Scotland squad finished second top of the medal table at the world competition.

John, a 12-times club champion at Stewarton BC, said: “People have been stopping me in the street to congratulate me. It’s been phenomenal.”