SA shooter Alex Hoberg advances to the cusp of Tokyo 2020 Olympics selection after winning final two rifle nomination events
A coronavirus disruption and a broken trigger mid-competition have not stopped SA teenager Alex Hoberg progressing to the cusp of shooting selection for the Tokyo Olympics.
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AN Olympic qualifying campaign disrupted by the coronavirus and a broken trigger mid-competition has not stopped shooter Alex Hoberg progressing to the cusp of Tokyo selection.
The SA teenager emerged from the weekend’s final nomination event at Wingfield with two gold medals and high hopes of making his Games debut later this year.
Hoberg, along with four fellow Croweaters in Olympic rifle contention, will learn next week if their efforts have been enough to secure a ticket to Japan.
But the Year 13 Marden Senior College student was remaining calm after an eventful trial series, which included a string of breakout performances as well as an equipment malfunction.
“I’m not very nervous about it (selection),” Hoberg, 18, said.
“I’ve done my best and I think I’ve proven myself.
“I’d expect that with my performances ... they will say ‘he’s earned his spot and he’ll be going’.
“I’m confident, but it’s just up to the selection panel.
“It would mean the world to represent my country and my family and my sport.
“The Olympics is the pinnacle ... and once you’re Olympian, you’re always one.”
Hoberg broke a national junior record in winning the men’s 50m three-position competition at his home range on Friday, before taking out the 10m air rifle a day later.
It ensured he finished second on the Olympic selection scoreboard in both disciplines behind Adelaide-based Queenslander Dane Sampson, but ahead of SA’s Jack Rossiter.
Hoberg was considered a strong chance to fill Australia’s second air rifle quota berth when the Games team was announced on March 31.
But the Basket Range resident had to overcome a faulty trigger in last month’s 10m event to secure a silver medal and keep his Tokyo dream alive.
“The gun didn’t go off midway through the final,” said Hoberg, fourth at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
“It increased my heart rate and my blood pressure from the stress.
“But I was still able to finish the final, I just had to change my style of shooting and I was having to shoot shots a lot quicker than I would usually do it.
“I was pretty nervous this weekend too.
“It’s the last the qualification and there’s a lot riding on it.
“If I stuffed up completely, that could be my Olympic journey gone.
“The final was good, but I think there’s more left in the tank.”
Croweater Tori Rossiter was second behind Victorian Elise Collier in the women’s 10m air rifle, but remains in the running for the Games.
The final Tokyo trial was originally scheduled to take place at the Shooting Australia Open in Sydney.
But the meet was cancelled and the final rifle competition moved to Adelaide, as most sports shut down due to COVID-19.
All domestic and international shooting tournaments have now been suspended until at least May’s World Cup event in New Delhi, India.
Hoberg planned to use the enforced lay-off to take a two-week break from training, catch-up on school work and refocus for what he hopes will be an Olympic lead-in.
“I’ve got lots of study to do and I’ll be doing very minimal socialising,” said Hoberg, who began shooting just six years ago.
“I know it (coronavirus) is there, it’s happening, it’s a threat.
“But I’m not worrying about it.
“Will the Olympics go ahead? I think they will.
“We (athletes) are in good hands.”