Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Havana, March 13.– The XIV Americas Rifle and Pistol Championship of Buenos Aires 2024 will begin on March 31, with a qualifying nature towards the Paris 2024 Olympic event.
The main Cuban figures in sports shooting have been in South American territory since March 5. Two days later, training began at the Tiro Federal Argentino, headquarters of the competition.
Laina Pérez, Pan-American champion in Lima 2019 in the 25-meter sport pistol modality, is one of the exponents who will seek an Olympic place during the continental competition. With that objective, she has been preparing since last November, with headquarters at the Enrique Borbonet Shooting Range in Havana. Her sports mastery allowed for more specific work, seeking efficiency.
It has been a low-volume job, with greater effectiveness from a quantitative and qualitative point of view, the gunfighter's coach, Dariel Suárez, told JIT.
The Americas Championship distributes an Olympic ticket in each event. In the case of Cuba it will be the 10 meter air pistol and the sports pistol, since the mixed events do not allow space for the competition under the five rings. The teams are made up of the fencers classified in the individual events.
In Buenos Aires it will be necessary to win or be behind the shooters who have guaranteed passage to the City of Light. The competition is the last on the continent to register for Paris 2024. It will also be the definitive opportunity for the Cubans.
The other option has to do with the rankings, a possibility that is not contemplated because our team competes little on the world circuit and does not accumulate the necessary points.
It won't be easy, no competition is. The level has grown a lot in recent years. The rivals are stronger, the Central Caribbean and Pan American tournaments increased the demands, especially for the representatives of the United States, Canada, Brazil, Ecuador and some individuals from Argentina. Laina is physically well and the psychological work has been constant, said the girl's trainer.
With psychologist Joel Barrios I have worked to have tools that help with concentration and focus, to have mental balance in training, competition and life. We strive every day to arrive at the competition in optimal conditions, stated Laina in dialogue with our publication.
We made the most of the opportunity we were given to train at the same range where we will compete. That is magnificent because we have access to technology, ammunition and we also acclimatize to the place, highlighted the woman from Matanzas.
According to their criteria, everything is aimed at arriving at the event well and obtaining the best possible result. My goal, dream and intention is to obtain one of those places. We aspire to have a worthy performance. Good technical work will give us the result. The rest will come from desires, attitude and good energy, stressed the Pan American medalist.
Laina is a warrior who never gives up. Her trust in her will always be there, because she has all the conditions and possibilities of her, like all those who are going to compete, stated Dariel Suárez.
In total, 170 men and 170 women will compete in the Paris 2024 shooting. On June 9, the final list of athletes classified in this sport will be known. (Text and photo: JIT)
