Ahrens aims high in London

COME rain or shine, Namibia’s flag bearer Gaby Ahrens has her barrel aimed at Olympic success.

As part of her preparations for the Olympic Games she competed in England and Italy in May.Ahrens found the British weather atrocious and it contributed to her finishing a disappointing 30th out of a world class field of 65 shottists.’The weather was very bad in London, we had gale winds and ice and it was very cold. I did well enough in the first two rounds but the wind affected me in the third round and I eventually came 27th,’ she said.A regular at international competitions, Ahrens’s mental strength has helped her overcome that experience and believes she can cope with intensity of the Olympics.Ahrens earned her place at the Olympics by winning the African Shooting Championships in April last year. She’s arguably one of the country’s best hopes for a podium place finish in London, having also won bronze in the Women’s Singles Trap shooting event at the Commonwealth Games two years ago. However, competition has become tougher since that success. Leading up to the Games, Ahrens managed 27th place out of 70 competitors at a World Cup event. Earlier in May, and as the only female competitor on the field, she finished third overall at the South African Olympic Trap Championships in Cape Town. The weather conditions were similar to those that await her in London but she felt her preparations were finally on track and her performance had given her renewed confidence.’All is going according to plan. I am shooting good scores during training and hoping I can do the same in London. I feel well prepared,’ Ahrens said. ‘All 20 competitors are excellent shooters and have the abilities to take gold. It’s anyone’s game. Depends on the day. I would like to reach the final.’Ahrens loves a challenge, and describes herself as organised and dedicated – attributes that have been reflected in her rehearsals for the Games.She also singles out support from her family as key to her achievements.’I am very driven. I also have a great passion for my sport. I have great financial support from my Olympic committee and the private sector which enabled me to prepare properly.’Being an Olympiad is addictive, says Ahrens and she plans on being at the next games in four years time. Despite the magnitude of the occasion, she is not nervous, just excited. ‘It’s an honour and privilege to be part of and experience the Games. I definitely want to go to Rio 2016,’ says Ahrens, who, besides shooting, enjoys being around her pets, reading, watching TV or drinking tea with her mom.