2012 EUropEaN rEcordS dEcEmbEr 31St 2011

Photos: Marco Dall Dea
did you expect this title to be awarded to you?
Somehow I did, let’s say I hoped so, since I
won a lot of medals during the season. But I
only believed it when I saw the news on the
ISSF website.
this is not the first time that you have
become “shooter of year”, how does it feel
to be in the spotlight?
This is the second time in my sports career
that I receive the “Shooter of the Year” title.
In 2002 I was elected for the first time. It took
me 9 years that to get it again! Hopefully, in
future, I will obtain this award again.
do you think that being number one in the
world makes it more difficult to concentrate
during the big competitions?
Each competition you have to confirm that you
are number one in the world in your event. It
is very difficult, but a good shooter has to cope
with all difficulties and with such pressure.
What was the most difficult competition
during the season?
The most difficult stage was at the beginning
of the year. The main goal of the season was
to achieve an Olympic Quota for the 2012
Olympics. After I got it, everything became
easier, mentally speaking.
you won several medals in 2011, which one
was “the best”?
In my opinion, the victory at ISSF Final World
Cup was my best competition of the season.
I also shot good rounds at the international
competitions in Munich last January. I scored
a good result, surpassing the World Record,
but unfortunately records are not taken into
consideration during these competitions.
In the end, there’s nothing I would like to
change of 2011.
no regrets? how do you rate your 2011?
I think that this season has been the best in
my sports career. Nothing less.
so, how did you start shooting?
I began to practice the sport in a shooting
school back in 1996. I started working with
a coach, who is still by my side. My mother
came with me at the first trainings, and she is
still supporting and encouraging me.
Why did you choose pistol events, among
all the shooting disciplines?
I liked this discipline from the beginning; somehow
I found it compatible with my character.
to reach top of the World rankings, you must
train and work a lot! how much do you train?
Yes, I train a lot. I practice in the city of
Chernigiv, in Ukraine, about five or six days
per week. In average, I generally spend six
or more hours at the shooting range, every
day. Training is necessary, and it’s part of the
sport. I like to go through all this except for… I
am a bit ashamed of myself, but I must admit
that I don’t like to clean the pistol.
is it difficult to combine your private life
with all the training?
I think that is possible to combine a private
life, training and competitions.
What about other aspects of your life? do
you practice any other sport? how do you
spend your free time?
Before I started shooting, I practiced competitive
gymnastics, tennis, and athletics. I like
collections, and I am trying to collect something
from all the cities where we travel. I
have a big collection!
What does your family think about the fact
that you travel around the world so much?
My family has supported me from the beginning,
and I guess they are happy to see me
enjoying my life. I do the work I like, and at
the same time I travel around the world.
you reached the spotlight in 2004, how did
your life change after your Olympic victory?
After the 2004 Olympics, I did not change
much. Of course, new doors opened to me:
I got the chance to meet successful people,
businessmen and politicians in my country,
but I tried not to change. I think I passed the
“trial by fire”.
you have gone through all of this already.
now that we are getting closer and closer
to the next games, what are your feelings
towards london 2012?
I feel I am full of energy and strength, and I
will need all my stamina to participate in the
Games. There’re no doubt that the main goal
for 2012 is to successfully prepare for and participate
in the Olympics.
are you preparing yourself in any special
way for the big 2012 event?
I am following an individualized preparation
plan, as I did before Athens and Beijing: I did
not change my preparation specifically for the
2012 Games.
ShOOTER OF ThE YEAR INTERVIEW
each competition you
have to confirm that you
are number one in the
world in your event. it is
very difficult, but a good
shooter has to cope with
all difficulties and with
such pressure.
speaking about the games, what is your
favorite event?
I will be competing in the 10m and 25m
events, and I enjoy both of them. I am feeling
more confident with the Air Pistol, so I could
say that the 10m event is my favorite.
… and who are your strongest competitors
in the race for the medals?
There are so many good shooters in this
world that you can never tell who your going
to compete against. It’s impossible to predict
who will be the strongest competitor, but you
can take a look at the World Ranking: the top
15 shooters of the world are my opponents
this year.
marco dalla dea
ISSF NEWS 11