By Staff Reporter
WINDHOEK – Namibia’s Olympic Trap shottist Gaby Ahrens clinched a silver medal at the first national trials of the year at the Luiperdsvalley Military Base Shooting Range South of Windhoek, on Saturday.
The opening trials were one of five, spreading throughout the year requiring all local participants to shoot a minimum qualification score (MQS) at three of the events to be able to represent their country at international competitions.
The 33-year-old 2010 Commonwealth bronze medalist was the only woman to compete. Female shottists have three rounds of 25 targets to reach their MQS, while their male counterparts shoot five. During the qualification shoot, Ahrens hit 64 of the possible 75 targets, reaching the MQS and advancing to the finals.
While Ahrens achieved her goal, it was Gielie van Wyk who dominated the headlines after the former Namibian champion hit an impressive target with 118 of 125 shots. A World-class mark and only one shot shy of the national record.
Etienne Jooste scored 110/125 becoming the third participant of the day to make to the MQS. During the semi-final, however, it was Ahrens that unleashed her full potential when she didn’t miss a single clay pigeon. Van Wyk missed one, setting up the gold medal-match with Ahrens.
Once again, the likeable blonde shottist, elder daughter of iconic Namibian footballer Hasso Ahrens, shot well again, but van Wyk was in a class of his own edging out his training partner with 13/15 to 11/15 to claim the coveted gold medal.
Third place went to Jooste with Sven Ahrens having to be satisfied with a consolation fourth place. Ahrens expressed satisfaction with her overall performance saying she was very happy with the tournament.
“I reached my goal of reaching the minimum qualifying score, which comes along with the silver medal, obviously a nice gesture as well.”