Paralympic shooter targeting more medal success at Tokyo in 2020

Israel’s Paralympic medallist Doron Shaziri has told Jewish News how he wants to claim a medal at a seventh consecutive Games in Tokyo in four years time.

The 49-year-old won his country’s second bronze medal of the Games in the Men’s R7-50m Rifle 3 Positions – SH1 event on Monday evening – and eighth overall, the first of which was in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Confident he can add to that impressive haul in 2020, he said: “As long as I’m performing well, I will keep on competing and aiming for a medal, that includes the Tokyo games.”

Saying he was ‘satisfied’ with his latest win – his fourth bronze, to go along with four silvers, he said: “I arrived at these Paralympic Games with low expectations, after low achievements this year. But I was very satisfied to be able to stay focused and calm during the final.

“It was a tough year and I wasn’t adapting well for the change in the finals system. Winning a medal wasn’t a sure thing and I feel I won it with hard work – therefore it’s very satisfying.”

Describing about how he maintains the hunger to compete at the highest level, he said: “I love it. That is the best drive you can have. I want to be better and better, and am still hoping for a gold medal, which I don’t have yet.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu phoned him to congratulate him on his win, telling him he was happy he proved that the veterans are still going strong – which is also good for youngsters. However, saying he doesn’t view himself as a role model, he said: “I know others do and it makes me feel embarrassed. I only try to live full and happy life, doing the best I can in any aspect of life.

Also involved in the Mized R6-50m Rifle Prone – SH1 event, which gets underway on Wednesday, he said: “Winning one more medal is possible, but much harder as there are some very good shooters in that event, but it’s still possible.”

Shaziri’s win was Israel’s second of the Games, following on from Moran Samuel’s bronze win in the rowing on Sunday.