ThE ShOOTERS OF ThE YEAR 2012

choice would be shooting, which is a very calm
and quiet sport. I am not certain as to why
shooting became so important, but this sport
has something which appeals to me deeply.
Two years ago, you won the Youth Olympic
Games in Singapore. That was your first big
achievement. Can you tell us about your feelings,
while competing on such a prestigious
international scene?
Two years ago, Singapore held the the first
Youth Olympic Games edition. I did not realize
the importance and the huge scale of the competition
at that time. I just felt happy to win a
Gold medal, as usual. After a while, I realized
the magnitude of the event, and I felt proud
of myself.
I started shooting when I was
13 years old. I enjoy and love
to practice all kinds of sports,
but I chose shooting among
all of them.
What did you like the most at the Youth
Olympic Games?
We have the chance to participate in Youth
Olympic Games only once in our life. So I feel
really lucky that I made it to the highest step
of the podium, on the first edition, during my
only chance!
Do you think that participating in the Youth
Olympic Games has helped you in any way
to better endure the pressure during the
London 2012 Games?
It really helped me prepare. That experience
taught me how to compete in front of the cameras,
and how to behave under pressure.
Can you compare the Youth Olympic Games
and the Olympic Games?
The Youth Olympic Games, compared to the
Olympics, are a sports festival. I was relaxed
in Singapore, and I enjoyed my time there taking
it easy with my friends.
The London Games left their mark throughout
2012. What impressed you most during
the Olympics?
I am normally not nervous in competitions but
during the Olympics everything changes. I
was extremely nervous in London, I felt under
a lot of pressure there.
The Olympic Games is a huge event, with a
lot of pressure involved. How did you feel
after you fired your last shot? Did you realize
you were the winner immediately?
I felt that my scores were quite low in the final,
so I did not expect it and later on realized that
I had won the Gold medal. After the last shot,
I looked up at the scoreboard and I found my
name at the top of the list. I will never forget
the rush of happiness I felt in that moment!
Before the joy of the last shot, in your experience,
what was the most difficult moment
during the London 2012 competitions?
Before competing in the 25m pistol event, I
did not even qualify for the final round at the
10m Air pistol event. I was pretty confident I
was going to make it to the final, but it did
not work that way. I was not able to manage
the intense pressure of my first Olympic
stage, and I lost the match. All my confidence
faded away, and I was totally upset. That was
maybe the first real bitter moment of my life.
What was the reaction of the people, first of
all: your friends and family back home?
I received a lot of congratulations, and my
parents were extremely happy, of course. I
wonder if they ever expected such a successful
outcome when they first allowed me to
practice shooting!
What was the first thing you did once you
went back home?
I ate my Kimchi stew made by my mother. I
missed it so much while I was staying in London.
It is really delicious!
Did you receive a lot of media attention in
Korea after the Olympics?
I was asked to do a lot of interviews, advertisements
and appearances in TV shows after I
came back home. Since had no experience at
scheduling media appearances, I had some difficulties
along the way and lost some hours of
sleep in order to be able to accomplish all of it.
Would you say you’re popular in Korea now
that you’ve won the Olympics?
Many Korean people recognize me after the
Olympics. In my opinion, I would say that I am
becoming a quite famous athlete in Korea.
Korea has been one of the best contenders
at the Olympic Games. Three Pistol Olympic
Gold medals out of four went to Korea. Why
is your country so outstanding in sports?
All the athletes are ambitious and try hard
to earn a Gold medal at the Olympic Games,
which is the most prestigious sports stage.
But maybe Koreans are more focused, and
train hard, to succeed in achieving that dream.
And Korean shooters are accustomed to competing
frequently, as they have to go through
several national selections to make it to the
Olympic team.
Shooting is changing: we know that new
rules were announced. What do you think
about this?
I agree with the need for the shooting sport to
be more attractive and dynamic to the public.
But I am not so sure about the start-with-zero
rule for the finals. As a shooter, since I don’t
need those extra points, I might not need to
shoot at my best during the qualifications. So,
qualifications might result less appealing.
I agree with the need for the
shooting sport to be more
attractive and dynamic to the
public.
You won the 2012 ISSF World Cup Final.
Weren’t you tired at the end of such a stressful
season? How did you manage that?
I did not have enough time and strength to
train before the ISSF World Cup Final this
year. I was worried when I advanced towards
the Final. But at the same time I am proud,
and I had to defend my Olympic title. My pride
motivated me to compete for thetitle with a
high level of concentration, completely focusing
on defending my leadership.
What’s next? Is there still a margin for improvement
after such a successful year?
I really feel that keeping the leadership is
much harder than achieving it! But I will do
my best to remain at the top of the world rankings
from now on!
Marco Dalla Dea
PROFILE
ShOOTER OF ThE YEAR
Year of Birth: 1992
Place of Birth: Incheon, KOR
Start of Competing: 2005
Practicing shooting since: 2005
handedness: right
Master Eye: right
Other Sport Activities: Taekwondo
hobbies: traveling
Languages: Korean
2012 BEST AChIEVEMENTS
RK CS, CITY, YEAR EVENT RECORD
1 OG LONDON SP OR
13 OG LONDON AP40
1 WCF BANGKOK SP
1 WC LONDON SP FWR
4 WC MUNICh AP40
7 WC LONDON AP40
9 WC MUNICh SP
1 ASC DOhA AP40
4 ASC DOhA SP
ISSF NEWS 1 2013 9