Windhoek
Namibia’s hot shottist Oliver Hoffmann, 15, continued his amazing impressive campaign for qualification to the Olympic trap season as the youngster from Windhoek won the 2nd trials of the year at the Luiperdsvallei shooting range last weekend.
However, it was two-time Olympian Gaby Ahrens who enjoyed the better start. After five qualification rounds the 34-year-old Hyundai Namibia brand ambassador came out tops with 106 hits, closely followed by Hoffmann on 105.
Former footballer Hasso Ahrens, Ian Kriel and Johan Venter were not far behind, all shooting above 100 hits.
In the semifinal, Ahrens let it slip as she shot 11/15, the same score as Hoffmann and Kriel – thus forcing the tie into a sudden death shoot-off for placing in the gold medal match.
The first target in the shoot-off was a left swinger hit by Hoffmann and Kriel, but Ahrens missed, placing her in the bronze medal match with Johan Venter.
During the bronze medal match, Ahrens shot a perfect 15/15 securing her the medal. Nevertheless, Venter proved to be a tough nut to crack missing only one target (14/15).
In the gold medal match, Hoffmann clinched his 2nd gold medal for the year, winning the final with 11/15 as opposed to Kriel’s 9/15.
This year’s qualification for the national shooting team went to Ahrens and Hoffmann, who both shot their minimum qualifying scores.
Ahrens will compete at the ISSF World Cup in Rio de Janeiro/Brazil next month while Hoffmann will represent Namibia at the Junior World Cup in Germany in May.