“It's nice to come back in this way!” today's 50m Rifle 3 Positions Women winner Adela Sykorova of the Czech Republic said, right after the medal ceremony.
Sykorova had been far from the shooting ranges for a while. The young shooter won Bronze in this event at the 2012 London Olympic Games. After that match, her life changed. “The first thing I notices, is that people started recognizing me. The Czech Republic only got 10 medals in London. And when I came back home, I could not even go out shopping for some food without being asked an autograph!”
After the Games, there's not much time for training. Media, official events, and some deserved rest absorb most of the athlete's time. “I only started training in the 3-position event after Christmas. Yes, I took some time off!”
But who saw her shooting today, could not believe she only had four months of preparation. Sykorova passed through the new final with determination, not bothered by the new changeover time. When it was the time of the standing position, she started climbing up the scoreboard, reaching the Chinese shooter who had led the match throughout the kneeling and the prone positions, the first-time finalist Ma Hong, 26.
Right before the last shot, Ma was 2.3 points ahead of Sikorova: an almost unmatchable gap. But then, something incredible happened. Ma fired a 6.5-point last shot. Adela marked an 8.8, and the two shooters finished tied with 456.2 points.
To decide the winner of the match, a shoot-off was needed. An unexpected chance for Sykorova. The 26-year old Czech shooter zeroed in, and shot an excellent 10.5. Enough to beat Ma's 9.6, and to win the brightest medal. Following them, the Bronze went to France's Laurence Brize, with 446.8 points, while the Polish Olympic medallist Sylwia Bogacka ended up in fourth with 436.0 points, and the second Chiense finalist Li Peijing closed the round in fifth with 425.1 points. The Bavarian shooter Sonja Pfeilschifter (GER), competing on her home turf, landed in sixth, with 414.8 poits.
“I really did not expect that turn out.” Sykorova said, commenting on the final, and on its incredible happy-handing “When only three of us were left on the firing line, I was happy that I had a medal. Then Brize dropped out of the match, so I knew I had a Silver, at least. I was not hoping for more. When it all ended up in a shoot-off, and I won, I could not believe it myself!” Sykorova said.
The Czech shooter did not participate in the first two World Cup Stages of the year. This was her first world cup match. And what a start! “I will now come to compete in the next World Cup Stage in Granada, and I will participate in the following European Championships. But I don't only have sport goals, right now.” The winner said.
“I have been living all my all life at the shooting range, it's time to move on, and to get my own family. The first step? Slowly, I will move out of Pilzen, to Germany, where my boyfriend lives.” Adela could move mountains, with her determination. Moving to another country sounds just easy.