Alicante 2013: Top 10 shooting athletes to watch

Find out the top storylines to follow at the upcoming IPC Shooting European Championships this month. 10 Oct 2013
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A picture of a woman at the shooting competition

Olivera Nakovska-Bikova of Macedonia celebrates winning gold during the Women's P2-10m Air Pistol SH1 final at the London 2012 Paralympic Games

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By IPC

You’ve probably heard us say it before – and repeatedly, but deservedly, so. Jacobsson has 17 Paralympic golds to his name and has been participating in the Games since 1980.

With nearly 170 athletes from over 30 countries, this month’s IPC Shooting European Championships in Alicante, Spain, will be larger than London 2012 in terms of participation numbers.

To make it easy for you, we’ve picked out 10 of the top faces to follow in Alicante from 20-25 October, and the events they’re competing in.

IPC Ones to Watch:

Olivera Nakovska-Bikova (Macedonia): As her country’s first-ever Paralympic gold medallist at London 2012 and a three-time Paralympian, Nakovska-Bikova is easily one of the most recognisable female faces in IPC Shooting. She’s almost guaranteed a medal in multiple events in Alicante, the question is whether she will be challenged for the top podium position, and if so, by whom? Look out for her particularly in the P2 event (women’s 10m air pistol SH1).

Events: P2 (Women’s 10m air pistol SH1); P3 (mixed 25m pistol SH1); P4 (mixed 50m pistol SH1)

Jonas Jacobsson (Sweden): You’ve probably heard us say it before – and repeatedly, but deservedly, so. Jacobsson has 17 Paralympic golds to his name and has been participating in the Games since 1980, when he was just 15 years old. But with rumors that he may retire before Rio 2016 and several up-and-coming younger challengers, can he keep his top form in Alicante?

Events: R1 (men’s 10m air rifle standing SH1); R3 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1); R6 (mixed 50m rifle prone SH1); R7 (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1)

Matt Skelhon (Great Britain): Arguably the most famous British shooting athlete, Skelhon has just the right laid-back attitude and hand-eye co-ordination to add to his bag of medals at the Europeans. After winning a silver and a gold at London 2012, he’s ready to fight for gold in Alicante, where he’ll have three chances to do so.

Events: R1 (Men’s 10m air rifle standing SH1); R3 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1); R6 (mixed 50m rifle prone SH1)

Juan Antonio Savedra (Spain): Lookout Spain, because here’s your host nation hero hopeful for the Championships. A financial advisor by trade, Reinaldo is a three-time Paralympian eager to show off his skills in front of a home crowd.

Events: R3 (Mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1); R2 (mixed 10m air rifle standing SH1); R6 (mixed 50m rifle prone SH1)

More athletes to keep your eyes on:

Filip Rodzik (Poland): Earlier this year, Rodzik claimed these European Championships will be his biggest kick-start on the road to Rio 2016.

Events: P1 (men’s 10m air pistol SH1); P4 (mixed 50m pistol SH1; mixed air pistol standard SH1)

Shaziri Doron (Israel): Since being blown up in a minefield in 1987 while on patrol in Lebanon, Doron has gone on to compete in five Paralympic Games. Go search for more on his story, and you’ll be inspired.

Events: R6 (mixed 50m rifle prone SH1); R7 (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1)

Cagla Bas (Turkey): Ranked No. 1 this season in the R2 (women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1) event, Bas will be one of Turkey’s major hopes to medal in Alicante in the women’s events.

Events: R2 (women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1); R3 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1)

Manuela Schmermund (Germany): Don’t count out this three-time Paralympian in any of her events, as she’s hungry to make the podium after not medalling at London 2012.

Events: R2 (women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1); R6 (mixed 50m rifle prone SH1); R8 (women’s rifle 3 positions SH1)

Cedric Fevre (France): Fevre will be the biggest challenger in Matt Skelhon’s way to the top of the podium.

Events: R3 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1); R6 (mixed 50m rifle prone SH1); R7 (men’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1)

Veronika Vadovicova (Slovakia): Ranked No. 1 in several of her events this season, and without her top challengers from China in Alicante, look for Vadovicova to finally get her moment under the spotlight.

Events: R2 (women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1); R3 (mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1); R6 (mixed 50m rifle prone SH1); R8 (women’s rifle 3 positions SH1)

The road to the 2014 IPC Shooting World Championships in Suhl, Germany, from 19-26 July, begins for these athletes and many more at Alicante 2013.

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