ThE ShOOTERS OF ThE YEAR 2012

ShOOTER OF ThE YEAR
ence. I tried to focus on something that I could
control, such as my own performance. Whenever
you think about ranking and medals,
then you start to feel pressure and insecurity.
That’s because winning doesn’t depend just
on you, there are many other great shooters
around the world.
You were probably the best shooter in London
2012, in terms of pressure management. You
were always so calm and relaxed (apparently).
How did you manage that? Was that just
a “façade”, or did you really take it so easy?
As my mental coach Etzel would say, I tried to
“stay in the moment”, that was my real goal
at the Olympics, more important than any
medals. I also knew that the most important
thing is to avoid regrets after the match; it
is much easier to accept any mistakes if you
believe that at least you gave at 100%. But I
must admit that I was really nervous during
the final, like a beginner at his first match, but
that’s the fun part, right?
You started off your Olympic quest by winning
a Silver. Can you tell us the story behind
that medal?
The Air Rifle match was the toughest one for
me. I was one of the favorites, and in the Air Rifle
event there is no room for mistakes. You can
shoot extremely well but if you have four 9.9
scores you are out. I fought with myself during
the entire match and the final and, at the end, I
was really proud of my performance. The spectators
in the final hall were incredible and the
entire atmosphere was something that I have
never seen before in a shooting range. I might
have lost the Gold by 0.6 points, but I also won
the Silver by 0.4 point… I can’t complain and,
most importantly, my last shot was great!
I know that here is still room
for improvement…
How did you remain coolafter winning Silver?
You went straight into the next competition,
to win a Gold medal…
It was really hard to recover from the Air Rifle
match. I burned a lot of mental energy on that
final. On the following days I just tried to take
care of myself and spend time with my girlfriend,
Petra Zublasing, who was participating
at the Games as well. She was my guardian
angel in London.
When the Gold medal arrived, you did not
look too impressed. How did you come to be
so self-confident?
Both competitions were great matches. I worked
really hard to reach that level of performance and
12 ISSF NEWS 1 2013
Winning and losing are
important, but not fundamental.
You should not feel
like a loser if you land in
4th place and, at the same
time, you cannot feel like
a superhero if you win the
Olympics. I guarantee that
the journey is way better
than the destination.
it’s always nice to see that your sacrifices are rewarded.
But, once again, I did not shoot thinking
about the Gold medal. I only tried to take one
shot at a time and perform at my best. Of course
it’s great to know that your best is also the best
of the world on that very day. But that is not the
point. Actually, in small-bore I could have definitely
achieved a better score, both in the match
and in the final. I’m fortunate, though, it’s great
now to start a new Olympic cycle and to know
that there is still room for improvement.
People around you can make the difference
during stressful situations. Who are the persons
who helped you the most during London
2012 and why?
It’s impossible to rank them by importance.
Petra was fundamental to recharge my batteries;
Etzel was always the last person with
whom I spoke in the evening through Skype
and Emmons was really a good friend, always
available for a good chat at the range. The
staff of my national team as well, specially
Gaby Buhlmann and Valentina Turisini, gave
me all the support I needed.
What about coming back home as one of the
most successful Italian Olympian of London
2012? What was the first thing you did when
you came back home?
I went out for a nice dinner at a small restaurant
with my family: mom, dad and brother. It
was a simple thing, I just wanted to share that
moment with them.
Where do you keep your medals now?
I piled them up on a shelf with the other
prizes. That part of my room is actually quite a
mess… But I don’t need to exhibit them under
a spotlight or stuff like that. At the end those
are ‘just’ medals; actual memories are way
better. And I have no doubt in my mind: if a
fire broke out in the house, I’d leave the medals
and I save my dog!
You won two Olympic medals. What suggestions
would you give to kids who have just
started shooting?
To enjoy what they are doing, always. Winning
and losing are important, but not funda-
mental. You should not feel like a loser if you
land in 4th place and, at the same time, you
cannot feel like a superhero if you win the
Olympics. I guarantee that the journey is way
better than the destination.
Things have changed after London. A full set
of new rules has been released by the ISSF,
and you contributed to fine-tuning some
important issues. What can you tell us about
that experience? Are you happy with the
way it worked out?
Innovation is always a positive thing. I am
glad that I could contribute in such a process
and discuss many proposals shared by a large
group of international shooters. The 2013 will
be a very interesting season in order to evaluate
the pros and cons of the new final format,
the decimal qualification round and hopefully
introduce new technologies. In this regard I
believe that a solid collaboration between athletes,
coaches and the Federation is essential
for the future of our sport.
What’s in Campriani’s future? Are you going
to be a full-time engineer, or is shooting still
in your sights?
I won the Olympics shooting one shot at a
time. Likewise, I try to live one day at a time,
what is in my future? I don’t know, but I am
gonna find out.
Marco Dalla Dea
PROFILE
Year of Birth: 1987
Place of Birth: Florence, ITA
Start of Competing: 2001
Practicing shooting since: 2000
handedness: right
Master Eye: right
Other Sport Activities: Tennis
hobbies: Music, reading, movies
Languages: Italian, English
2012 BEST AChIEVEMENTS
RK CS, CITY, YEAR EVENT RECORD
1 OG LONDON FR3X40 OR, FOR
2 OG LONDON AR60 EOR
8 OG LONDON FR60PR
1 WC LONDON FR3X40
1 WC MILAN AR60
1 WC MUNICh FR3X40
2 WC MILAN FR3X40
3 WC MUNICh AR60
2 ECh VIERUMAEKI AR60
Photos: Marco Dalla Dea