WDSC 2016: another world record broken on day 2

Day 2 of the inaugural World Deaf Shooting Championships is underway at the Dynamo Sports Complex in Kazan.

Up to 70 athletes from 16 countries participate in the tournament. The third set of medals was contested in the men’s 10m air pistol event.

The second world record was broken today at the tournament in Kazan. If yesterday the record was set in the men’s 50m rifle prone event, today the world’s best result was shown in the men’s 10m air pistol. The second world record was achieved by Oleksii LAZEBNYK (UKR). He scored 195.5 points and grabbed gold. This result automatically became the championships record. Oleksandr KOLODII (UKR) grabbed silver with 192.4. It’s his second medal at the Kazan tournament – the day before he took bronze. Roman KUZMIN (RUS) ended up in the third place well behind the top two finishers, scoring 175.8. Earlier, on Day 1, the Russian deaf shooter earned silver medal.

After the final, Labeznyk shared his impression of the host city and event management. “I liked the city very much; it’s clean, beautiful and neat. I’m happy with my victory that’s why my impressions are only positive,” the champion said. “The venue is very interesting; it’s calm and cozy. The range is big and technologically advanced; it’s equipped in compliance with all world and European standards. I would like thank again the OC’s personnel and volunteers,” he said.

When asked about the record that was broken today, the Ukrainian athlete said: “I’m very pleased; of course, I’m satisfied with the result. But it’s not the first time that I show this result – I scored is during one of training sessions at home, in Ukraine.”

“First of all, I’m preparing for the Deaflympics and I would like to win there that’s why I mainly focus on my preparation for the 2017 Games in Turkey. But at the moment we also set ourselves maximum tasks in each event; of course, we want to win. The key to success is simple – perseverance, hard work and self-belief,” the champion said.

As for Roman Kuzmin, he revealed the story of professional growth in deaf shooting and shared how long it takes him to prepare for major championships. “I feel well but I had not geared up enough and won the medal only at the expense of my volitional powers,” the shooter admitted.

The Russian athlete later explained how his trains for major competitions: “We train 3-4 hours per day, practically without days off. During training sessions we strain every sinew to show best results and to win medals in the future. Train hard, fight easy.” When asked about his fortes and favourite discipline, Kuzmin said: “It’s hard to compare rifle and pistol; few athletes can perform in both events. I’m used to my pistol; I’m a pistol shooter. As for the distance and position – it’s a matter of habit.” Speaking of the reasons that made him choose this sport, the bronze medallist explained: “I think that this was my fate; it was God’s wish that I ended up here, at the shooting range, thrust into the world of Deaflympic shooting. But I don’t feel regrets; I like my sport very much. According to the Russian deaf shooter, he started his shooting career late enough, at 19. “But shooting is a very serious sport; it’s for people who are mature in body, spirit and mind. I’ve been exercising this sport for 10 years now and so far everything has been great,” he said.