After a year’s delay and a lot of uncertainty, Tokyo 2020 did finally take place, beginning with the opening ceremony on 23 July.
“We’d been waiting five years for that moment,” said Steven Seligmann, British Shooting’s performance director. “It was a very special moment for everyone.”
“I was so happy that the Games were actually taking place,” said Team GB Trap shooter Matt Coward-Holley. “I felt very lucky to be able to compete at all.”
They were joined by the rest of Team GB’s shooting squad, Seonaid McIntosh, Kirsty Hegarty, and Aaron Heading, as well as a support network of coaches and British Shooting staff. However, there was one empty seat on the plane to Tokyo.
Absentee
Amber Hill, the world-beating Lady's Skeet shooter was noticeably absent. She had tested positive for COVID-19 the night before the team departed and was unable to go.
“Amber’s test result was incredibly disappointing,” said Seligmann. “She was in phenomenal form ahead of the Games and I believe she would have had the chance to do something really special. Thankfully, Amber has a great support network around her. She’s already eyeing up the President’s Cup in a few months’ time, so I am sure we will see her back in action soon.”
Coward-Holley added: “It was devastating to lose a member of the team but, for me at least, I knew the job I had to do. We had to acknowledge it and look to the task ahead.”
This story is from the October 2021 edition of Sporting Gun.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 2021 edition of Sporting Gun.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Thermal spectrum
Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared
Roe, rucks and new ground
Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades
Fox rot about Charlie
Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane
The sniff of success
Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion
Adventures of Nick & Ted
A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Vet's advice
Gundogs Q&A
No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts
Stop-start!
Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice