Last week, we shone a light on the shooting action that we all had to look forward to at the upcoming London Olympics 2012. Now, we’re going to focus on The Big Shoot’s One to Watch.
Women have competed in Olympic shooting events since the games of Mexico 1968, with the first separate all-female competition introduced in 1996. Since then the British Isles have been represented by many talented and trigger-happy ladies and young Charlotte Kerwood is already on that list.
The hot clay shooting prospect has previously nabbed gold medals at the Commonwealth games and represented Great Britain at the Beijing Olympics. Now, she’s gunning for her first Olympic podium place and many shooting writers are backing her to climb that podium all the way to the top.
Born on 15 September 1986, Charlotte Kerwood became Britain’s youngest shooting medal winner at the age of just 15, with the Women’s Double Trap event at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.
A mere 6 months after taking up the sport, the young shooter set a British and Commonwealth record of 141. More medals would follow, namely two golds at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games, and other medals in Olympic qualifying tournaments in 2006 and 2007.
She went on to represent Great Britain at Beijing 2008, an invaluable experience as the 2012 games approach. But the talented young athlete is taking nothing for granted; and focussing first on her short term goals.
In an interview for guardian.co.uk, Kerwood explained that “the excitement is building as I work increasingly hard to ensure I am representing Great Britain”. It’s a mature and pragmatic outlook which belies her age, but illustrates the reasons for her success. “Olympic selection is determined by results in the World Cup, so I have targeted at least one podium finish in a bid to secure my place” she continued.
As one of Britain’s hottest prospects, a stadium full of gold hungry British supporters might seem a daunting prospect to a sports person. But it’s a challenge that this young gun would relish. “Some people struggle with the pressure of performing in front of a home crowd but I find the support motivates me”.
The sport of clay pigeon shooting, like many others, has suffered due to the economical problems of the last few years; a matter that the young athlete was quick to address. “British shooting recently fell victim to budget cuts following the 2008 Beijing Games”, she said, “however, a lot of hard work has been put in to secure funding for eight shooters ahead of the Olympics, and I am so thankful I benefit from this”.
There can be little doubt that a bright future lies ahead of Charlotte Kerwood; whether that future is lined with Olympic gold remains to be seen, but you won’t find any of the Big Shoot team betting against it.
That’s why we’re making Charlotte our One to Watch once the first clay is pulled at London 2012.
Look out for plenty more from The Big Shoot in the run up to another exciting Olympic Games, and if you fancy trying this exhilarating and rewarding sport for yourself, click right here, and find a fantastic clay shooting venue in your area.