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Team IOM Profiles: Shooting

Fri, 06 Apr 2018

Six athletes will represent the Isle of Man in Shooting at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.

David Walton

The 50-year-old from Douglas will compete in the Men's Trap.

Nickname: Wilfy

Hobbies:  Fishing, dog training

Occupation: Heavy goods plant operator 

Reason: Started when he was on the farm as a child. 

Ambition: "Continue to win at a high level." 

Memorable: Bronze in trap pair with Trevor Boyles (IOM) at Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Hero: Two-time Olympic champion Michael Diamond (AUS). “He is good and set a world record."

Influence: Friend and coach Paul Waterhouse and wife Tricia Waterhouse. "For their help for my training." 

Ritual: "In the build-up to a match, start to prepare mentally." 

 

Gemma Kermode

The 33-year-old from Douglas will compete in the Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions and Women's 50m Rifle Prone.

Hobbies: Reading, walking

Occupation: Dealing and settlements supervisor

Education: Geology at Keele University, Staffordshire, England

Reason: Father was a target shooter.

Ambition: Making the final in 50m rifle 3 positions event.

Memorable: "Opening ceremony at the (Delhi) 2010 and (Glasgow) 2014 Commonwealth Games."

Gemma is a quick learner. She started as a prone shooter after finishing university. In October 2008, began air rifle and qualified for Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games in prone and air rifle. Competed in two events at Glasgow 2014. Best individual result 16th in 50m rifle prone at Delhi 2010.

 

Jake Keeling

The 45-year-old from Douglas will compete in the Men's Double Trap.

 

Neil Parsons

The 49-year-old from Douglas will compete in the Men's Trap.

Neil found his trigger was broken during the competition at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games. Had just three minutes to sort it out, and with 30 seconds left, Susan NATTRASS (CAN) lent him her gun. "There is pressure enough competing in the Commonwealth Games without your trigger breaking." 

 

Rachel Glover

The 37-year-old from Douglas will compete in the Women's 50m Rifle 3 Positions and Women's 50m Rifle Prone.

"My overall aim is to be the first female shooter to bring back a Commonwealth Games medal for the Island."

 

Tim Kneale

Hobbies: Rugby

Education: Countryside and environmental management at Harper Adams University, Newport, England

Position style: Right eye, right hand

Other sports: Represented Isle of Man in cricket and was Isle of Man U19 rugby team captain.

Injuries: After breaking his leg playing rugby at 18, decided to take shooting a little bit more seriously.

Reason: Lived 10 minutes from the local shooting school and, as a farmer’s son on the Isle of Man, taking up the sport was inevitable.

Ambition: "The aim would be to bring back a medal for the Isle of Man and double trap would be my best chance."

Memorable: Bronze medal at Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games.

After Rio 2016 selection, his first Olympic Games, stopped work in agriculture to shoot full-time as part of Team GB.

Finished 12th in double trap on Commonwealth Games debut at Melbourne 2006. Four years later, took bronze medal in same event after dramatic three-way shoot-off with Ronjan SODHI (IND) and Asher NORIA (IND) at Delhi 2010. Finished 12th in same event at Glasgow 2014. 

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