READY TO SHOOT

By Jeannette Xavier
 
With eight golds, six silvers and six bronzes, Singapore's shooters (pictured) were among our most successful athletes at the last SEA Games in Thailand. Led by youngsters such as Jonathan Koh, Ong Jun Hong and Jasmine Ser, they are aiming high again at this month's SEA Games  in Laos.
 
Added Incentive
 
There is added incentive for the 18-member shooting squad to shine. Afterall, one of the them, Jun Hong, has been selected to be our flag bearer - an honour usually given to athletes from more established sports. The choice of Jun Hong,  however, is no surprise for those who have been tracking his progress. The 21-year-old, who is competing in his fourth SEA Games, showed superb form last year when he beat India's Abhinav Bindra at two major meets in Asia. This was no small feat considering that Bindra went on to win gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Jun Hong, the 2006 Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medallist, also played a part in helping Singapore win gold in the 10m air rifle men's team event at the 2007 SEA Games.
 
Plenty Of Depth
 
The best thing is that the Singapore team in Laos has plenty of depth. Apart from Jun Hong, there are other medal prospects. Jonathan Koh, for instance, will be aiming to retain the 10m air rifle men's individual title he won in the 2007 SEA Games. Another gold medallist then in this year's team is Gai Bin (men's 10m air pistol). Shooters like Aqilah Sudhir, Jasmine Ser and On Shaw Ming also come with impressive credentials and are expected to shine. Other members of the shooting team include Kasmijan Kimin, Nigel Lim and Zhang Jin among the men and Fan Xiaoping, Haw Siew Peng and Lim Chea Rong among the women.