SHOOTING: Three-time Olympian Daniel Repacholi will be firing up his preparations for Rio selection, as he travels to compete in the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Cup in Gabala, Azerbaijan, next month.
Repacholi was Aystralia's only dual medallist from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, who along with his lucky ‘rainbow socks’, became an overnight shooting sensation in Australia, following his gold and bronze wins in the pistol discipline.
The 2012 London Olympian took time off after the Games to focus on family and made a remarkable come-back at the Commonwealth Games, as part of his preparation towards Rio.
Towering above most of his competitors at 202cms, truck driver and athlete, Repacholi is happy to be ramping up his training ahead of Rio.
“Glasgow was a great come back to the sport I love. I had not been to a World Cup since May 2012, and this year has been about settling back into the international scene,” Repacholi said.
“Although I didn’t do well at my first World Cup this year, it has prepared me for where I need to be, if I want to gain selection to Rio. I’m fired up and ready to go,” Repacholi said.
Also looking to gain selection is 23-year-old Emily Esposito (Casula, NSW), whose siblings Chloe and Max have already been named as part of the Modern Pentathlon team for Rio.
Current World Champion Warren Potent (Currans Hill, NSW) will lead the rifle contingent as he seeks to maintain his edge in 50m Rifle Prone, at this ISSF World Cup, which serves as the benchmark event for Rifle and Pistol.
Supporting the rifle team will be current Australian record holder in 10m Air Rifle and 3 Position Dane Sampson (Oakden, SA).
Leading the Shotgun charge will be dual Olympic gold medallist Michael Diamond (Fingal Bay, NSW) who will also be stepping up his preparations towards what could be a remarkable seventh Olympic Games.
Young guns Jack Wallace (Yering, VIC) and James Willett (Mulwala, NSW) will be looking to continue their rise in the shotgun discipline.
The ISSF World Cup in Azerbaijan runs from 6 – 16 August.
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