African Grand Prix shoot offs

Namibia’s Olympic Trap shooters will have to bring their A game come this weekend when the hosts take on the continents elite at the African Grand Prix south of Windhoek which is generously sponsored by Bank Windhoek. Spear-headed by two-time Olympian Gaby Ahrens, the Namibian team is eager to use their home advantage for a place among the top 3.
Ahrens will be the only female to compete at the continental showpiece, which takes place for the 8th time since its inception. Yet, the bronze-medallist of the Commonwealth Games in 2010 is no stranger to such a scenario, having made the 4th place against an all-men group of shooters at the Western Province Championships in Cape Town just two weeks ago.
The event will also mark the first occasion at which 32-year old Ahrens will be in action with her new weapon, which she finally received last week. “I’m very happy with my new gun and I will use it this weekend. The quicker I get used to it, the better”, she said about the weapon from Germany-based manufacturer Krieghoff.
With her yet unfamiliar weapon, Ahrens had to set out a lesser personal goal than she is used to. “My goal is to get used to the weapon and to try and keep the routine I have at training.”
She does, however, believe that the local pair of Gielie van Wyk and Sven Ahrens have the potential to win a medal, although South African champion Tobie de Wet and Angolan champion Paulo Silva are the clear favourites of the 30 shooters competing.
The event begins on Saturday and Sunday at 9h00 respectively at the Shooting Range in Luiperdsvalley. Food and drinks will be available.