WINDHOEK – Namibia’s Olympic Trap shottist Gaby Ahrens, is travelling to Cairo, Egypt this coming weekend to participate in the African Championships, where she hopes to claim a spot among the top 2 to qualify for the Commonwealth Games, in Canada, later this year.
Last weekend Ahrens got the season underway with a win at the national trials at the Luiperdsvallei military base outside Windhoek. Ahrens (32) was the only female to compete at the state-of-the-art range in a field that has attracted six shottists and it was the 1st national trial shoot of 5, which are spread out throughout the year.
All Namibians are obliged to shoot a minimum norm at 3 of them to be able to represent their country abroad. Although Ahrens only had to shoot three rounds as prescribed for women, she went all the way over 5 rounds against her male competitors.
The day however didn’t start too bright for Ahrens as she could only take 102 targets out of 125 during the 5 qualification rounds, while Gillie van Wyk and Atienne Jooste hit their mark on 114 and 112 occasions respectively.
But as the tournament wore on, Ahrens found her feet and hit her usual form – scoring 12 out of 15 during the finals to qualify for the gold medal clash against van Wyk, who himself managed a 12/15. The shoot-out was an intense affair. Both shottists showed great skill, hitting 11 clay pigeons each – leaving the winner to be decided after a sudden-death shoot. Van Wyk missed his first shoot much to his dismay and it was now up to Ahrens to keep a cool head.
As her first target was released, it was met by a spray of her new weapon from Germany-based manufacturer Krieghoff to seal the overall win. Third place went to Jooste (10/15), while Francois Marai had to settle for 4th 8/15).
“Both Gillie and Etienne and I got more than the minimum requirement so it was a good tournament. I’m very pleased to come out on top,” a delighted Ahrens said after the event.
By Staff Reporter