Teenager Cho Hyun Kang of Korea shot to prominence earlier this year when she won the 2000 Atlanta World Cup in Womens Air Rifle, just her second international competition. We spoke to her in Atlanta. True to her cheerful prediction of success in Sydney she was the leading contender by two points going into the Olympic Final, but ended up with the silver medal.
How did you get started shooting?
I started shooting in middle school. We have a lot of junior shooting teams in the schools.
Really? And they all shoot air rifles?
They all shoot air rifles and they have their own ranges.
Normally do they shoot Anschutz and Feinwerkbau or do they make their own rifles in Korea?
Mostly we use Feinwerkbau. So the shooter buys the airgun. At some high schools they pay everything, but at some they don't, so there's two different kinds.
Do you shoot well on your team?
In the tryouts my average was 397. The other girl was 398.
Who was your coach?
His name is Kang Je Kyu.
Is he your national coach?
He's my school coach. Our national team is more like management.
I know that you have shot several matches lately, can you tell me what you have won?
I have shot at two World Cups; Munich and here. I shot 395 in Munich for ninth place. Here I shot 399 and this is my first win at an international match.
So you will win in Sydney?
Yes.
Do you only shoot air rifle?
Yes.
Will you try smallbore in a few years?
Yes.
What sort of rifle do you use?
Feinwerkbau P70.
How do you handle the mental game?
I don't have any special mental tricks. I work hard about the physical side - how I hold the rifle, my trigger control, all those things.
Do you have a mental checklist as you go through the shot?
I don't have a list. I don't think much when I shoot.
What grade are you at school?
I'm in the twelfth grade (the same as a high school senior).
What do you plan to do for college?
I'll be going to the Korean Batchelor of Physical Education University.
How long have you been shooting?
Five years
Did you start out with the Feinwerkbau or is there a cheaper gun you start with?
We start with the Feinwerkbau.
What do you like to do when you're not shooting?
I like bowling and swimming.
Is this your first trip to the US?
Yes.
What do you think about Atlanta?
It's very clean.
Anything you'd like to add?
People here think that I'm too young, that I look too young. I'm seventeen.
When do you turn 18?
October.
So maybe you'll have a gold medal before then?
(Laughing) That would be very nice.
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