Briton Danielle Brown releases an arrow on her way to winning the women's individual compound open gold medal, September 13, 2008. [Agencies]

Briton Danielle Brown clinched the first archery gold on offer yesterday at her first Paralympics.

The 20-year-old had an impressive start, dominating the open individual final compound event with a score of 10 on each of her first two shots.

She scored four more 10-pointers in the remaining 10 shots, securing a comfortable 14-point victory over veteran Japanese archer Chieko Kamiya, 112-98.

"I am really happy. It was fantastic to compete in such a big event. This is my first Paralympics and I really wanted to get the gold," said Brown, who called her mother back home immediately after the win. "She said she was really happy for me, even though it was 4 o'clock in the morning (in the UK)."

Before marching into the finals, Brown was first after rankings earlier in the week. During the first round of the play-offs, she beat Wang Li of China and in the semifinals, she defeated compatriot and eventual bronze medalist Mel Clarke, 113-107.

"It was pretty tough knocking my teammate out, but you just have to go out and shoot," she said.

Born in north England's Yorkshire, Brown took up archery five years ago, and made the national squad three years later.

Due to a dystrophic condition, which causes chronic pain in her feet, the archer shoots propped up on a stool to remove the weight on her feet.

To concentrate on her Paralympic ambitions, Brown has put studies for a law degree at the University of Leicester on hold.

"I'm so motivated by the sport," said Brown, who picked up archery when she was no longer able to run. "I love sitting down and getting behind the bow to shoot."

At last year's World Championships in South Korea, Brown set several world records on her way to gold in the individual open compound event at age 19.

Before arriving to Beijing, Brown appeared in a fundraising campaign launched by former Beatle Paul McCartney to help raise 2 million pounds for Great Britain's Paralympic team.

Aside from supporting British athletes at the Beijing Paralympics, the money will also be invested in the future of disabled sport in the run-up to the 2012 London Games and beyond.