As of the year 2000, I have been rifle shooting
for 4 years. Many people have told me, 'isn't that a mens sport,'
and I say 'no, women can shoot too.
I like it, and you can't stop
me.' The sport of rifle shooting uses two different rifles. In
competitions, a smallbore air gun is used, in a standing position
10 meters from the target. A competition consists of 40 shots
for ladies in 1 1/4 hours. The second rifle is a Match .22 Rifle
used for 3-P (3 position) and prone.
In 3-P, the three positions are
prone, standing and kneeling, 20 shots each in a combined score.
Shooting has been mainly male dominated and it is hard to get
the status that you are good enough to compete with the men. I
have done that.
Like most sports, I got my start
in a small club in my hometown at the age of 12. I had the opportunity
to join the Wildwood Jr. Rod and Gun Club and trained air rifle
for the Alberta Winter Games in 1996. Although I didn't do well
at the Games, I enjoyed the sport and continued to practice air
rifle. I was introduced to the Match .22 Rifle at age 14. At the
1998 Alberta Winter Games I shot air rifle and took 1st. I then
had my sights on the Canada Winter Games in 1999 and I represented
Alberta. That year I made the Canadian National Rifle Team under
Junior Development.
Shooting has been mainly
male dominated and it is hard to get the status that you
are good enough to compete with the men. I have done that.
The biggest thrill was making the Canadian National
Rifle Team 2000, under the Senior A Team. Then I needed an MQS
(Minimum Qualifying Score) in order to qualify for the Olympic
Trials. Since I was shooting MQS in practice, I knew I could get
it at an international match. My parents, who are my greatest
support, sent me to the Oceania Match in Sydney, Australia in
November of 1999. There I achieved my MQS in both air rifle and
3-P. I now qualify for the Olympic Trials in Fort Benning, Georgia,
April 24 - May l. Since Canada has only one quota spot in each
event, I would have to place 1st in order to go to the Olympics
in September.
I am aware that the age of 16
is very young to make the Olympics in a shooting sport. I feel
that just having the opportunity to attend the Olympic Trials
is an accomplishment. Most of my competitors are twice my age
and I don't have the high-level match experience that they do.
I know I am a future Olympic athlete!
Having been chosen for the CAAWS
Nike Grant-a-week will enable me to travel to competitions nationally
and internationally. The money will help cover the costs of airline
tickets, motels, meals, equipment and entry fees. Shooting is
financially self-supported and the money I receive from CAAWS
will enhance my performances. I truly feel my scores can improve
with higher levels of competition. ada, CAAWS, girls body image,where to play sports,
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My future plans this year include,
the US National Championships in Atlanta, June 19-30 the Fort
Benning Grand Prix, July 8-14, and the World Cup in Atlanta, July
15-23. Then I will be attending the Canadian National Rifle Championships
in Victoria, BC, August 2-10 where I will try for the Senior A
Team 2001!
Through the years my goals have
changed. Looking back, I see how important it was to be the best
shooter in my hometown, then to be the best in Alberta. Now I
strive to be the best shooter in Canada. It's doesn't stop there,
eventually I would like to be one of the top shooters in the world.
Thank you for supporting my shooting
and my goals. I am honoured to be chosen.
Krystal Cacka
Canadian
Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical
Activity contact
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