"It's not a surprise for me. This medal was in my plan. It's not a matter of luck: I've just put my skills into action." You wouldn't tell Serhiy Kulish is only 20, by listening to the firmly resolute words he uttered, right after the 50m Rifle 3 Position final at the ISSF World Cup in All Events in Granada, Spain. The Ukraine shooter took 2nd place (behind Athens' Olympic Medallist Li of China), pocketing the silver medal.
A personal record for the young Kulish: his previous best result in a World Cup was indeed a bronze - which he had won both in London and Milan, in the past year. "I always want to win, - he continued - so I just kept calm and tried my best. I knew I would have made it, I won because I wanted to."
Serhiy Kulish was a Bronze Medallist at the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, so it might be natural for him to think about the next major competition he may take part in - the 2016 Olympic Games. But Kulish wants to take one thing at a time: "It's to soon to talk about Rio, - he explained - I first want to get a Quota Place. I obviously want to get there, but now it's time for my preparation."
Actually, not too much time, since the European Championship is just around the corner (21 July - 3 August, Osijek, Croatia): "Our team is ready to compete there. Hopefully, we'll set a new record."
Kulish is ready for Croatia. Any possible good result would be a regular outcome. He proved that today; both with facts (a 3rd position) and words ("It's not a matter a luck").
For Kulish, a medal is not a surprise.