SHOOTING: On day one of the second summer Youth Olympic Games (YOG), the shooters began their quest for gold. 15-year-old Elise Downing was the first of the shooters to step up to the line in the qualification phase of the Women’s 10m air pistol.

Of the 20 competitors, only 8 were able to advance to the final but unfortunately, Downing’s score was not quite enough.

“It was pretty incredibly to be up there with so many athletes who are from different countries, it was really a good feeling,” she said

“I was really proud to be up there representing my country.”

Downing had to shoot 40 shots in 50mins and pulled off a score of 359.

She had her whole family there as she shot through the qualification round. Her Grandparents, parents and two brothers all made the trip to Nanjing to support her.

“It was really great having my family here, they were all able to come along so it was great having their support.”

The youngest shooter in her division, the teen was not phased by her older competitors.

“I knew I was one of the youngest but I didn’t know I was the youngest, it didn’t really mess with me though,” she said.

Overall, Downing was pleased with her performance and although the result did not give her a finals birth and shot at a medal, the modest teen still looks at the positives.

“It was more of an experience for me, I didn’t want to set too higher expectations for myself. My coach was expecting a 355 to 365 which was alright for me. At the start I got a 95 and that’s really good for me,” the Queenslander said.

“I was really happy with everything and it was still a good experience. When I start going to more competitions I’ll know how to deal with myself better.”

Off the back of her performance here at the YOG, bigger and better things will certainly come her way with her sights already set firmly on the next big opportunity.

“Rio is a bit soon, but maybe. Definitely Gold Coast though.”

It's not quite the end for Downing at the YOG, she will compete in the Air Pistol Mixed International on day 4.

Sam Rawlings
Olympics.com.au
@AUSOlympicTeam