Shooting: Tormented Wang left shattered

Commonwealth Games tales inevitably focus on those wearing medals but a New Zealand story at the opposite end of the spectrum unfolded at the Melbourne International Shooting Club yesterday.

Pistol shooter Wang Yang wrestled with his own personal demons and lost in a tormenting first experience for his new country.

Watching on as Greg Yelavich lifted the New Zealand 10m air pistol pair into second place at the halfway stage, Auckland sushi maker Wang stepped up, desperate to at least maintain the silver medal position.

A former Chinese junior record holder before shifting to New Zealand, much was expected of the 29-year-old.

That was why he was rushed into the Games team as a late inclusion after earning his citizenship papers.

However, the uncluttered mental state so important in this sport deserted him as he took aim.

Wang would raise his pistol and lower it without shooting, the complex sequence of thoughts that go into each shot obviously short-circuiting. It happened time and again.

Wang would seek endless inspiration at his feet or the ceiling, occasionally glancing in annoyance at hulking Australian Daniel Repaholi, the shooter next to him, if their pistols were raised at the same time.

As the one hour 45 minute deadline neared, Wang was forced to rattle off his last 20 shots quickly. And it showed in his score, recording a 562 total out of 600, more than 20 lower than his best, as the pair slumped to finish seventh.

Pistol coach Ray Brummell said Wang would have given anything to win a medal for his adopted country. The best possible thank you. Unfortunately, such emotion isn't conducive to a steady mind.

"For shooters, getting it right is like waiting for a drop of water to fall from a leaf. When's it going to happen?" Brummel said.

"The problem is that under pressure, the drop of water may not be coming and eventually you just get fatigued. You get completely wiped out."

Brummell believed Wang, 29, would be better for the experience when he competes in Wednesday's individual competition.

"Instead of accepting good shots, he was trying for perfect shots. He was cancelling shot after shot," Brummell said.

"You end up tormenting yourself and get totally frustrated." Wang summed up his mental disintegration in simple terms.

"I think I put too much pressure on myself. When I was shooting I was thinking about a gold medal but I forgot my shooting."

- NZPA