Sharon Bowes

Waterloo resident and University of Waterloo graduate, Sharon Bowes has been a member of Canada’s National Rifle Team since 1983. She is one of Canada’s most experienced shooters, having competed in Olympic, Commonwealth, and Pan American games. Sharon is the Canadian Record Holder in her specialities, Sport and Air Rifle.

Sharon is a four-time Olympian, having competed in 1984, 1988, 1992, and 2000. She has four Top Ten Olympic finishes, including fourth place at the 1984 Los Angeles and fifth place at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

In addition, Sharon has the distinction of being the first woman to compete in shooting at the Commonwealth Games, where she is also a record holder. She has won 12 Commonwealth medals and, at the 1986 Commonwealth Games, won silver while competing in the men’s 10m air rifle. Sharon was also the flag bearer for Canada during the closing ceremony of the 1986 Games.

Sharon has five Pan Am medals from eight Pan American competitions. She is a seven-time World Championship team member with two World Cup medals; silver (1992) and bronze (1987).

She has been giving back to her sport as a coach for the Ontario Provincial Team since 1997. Sharon also serves as an Athlete Representative for the Shooting Federation of Canada.

Photo courtesy of University of Waterloo Library, Special Collections & Archives. Kitchener-Waterloo Record Photographic Negative Collection