Grauffel says the young should shoot

Grauffel says the young should shoot

Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post/Sanur

Two-time shooting champion Eric Grauffel was buoyant.

He had just finished the last 24 stages and shot an excellent
score of 1857.1059, placing him at the top of the open division
of the AustralAsia Shooting Championship held on Serangan island
near Sanur from Nov. 27 to Dec. 4.

"I'm very happy and satisfied with the result. There are many
young and talented shooters in the competition," the French-born
Grauffel said while giving a coaching lesson to a number of
Indonesian shooters and businessmen at the Tohpati Shooting Range
near Denpasar on Thursday.

"It's like a birthday gift," exclaimed Grauffel, who will turn
25 on Dec. 8. Grauffel is one of 480 international shooters who
took part in the week-long AustralAsia championship, organized by
the Indonesian branch of the International Practical Shooting
Confederation (IPSC).

Grauffel, who began shooting at the age of eight, said he
loved being a sportsman.

"It was my dad (Gerard Grauffel, a noted French shooter) who
motivated me to follow in his footsteps," he recalled.

Grauffel always looked forward to Saturdays when he would go
with his father to the shooting range in the small town of
Quimper, 500 kilometers from Paris.

"My mother always worked on Saturdays. With nobody at home, I
went to the shooting range to watch my dad practice and coach
would-be champions," he said.

At first, he just sat on the bench and watched. "But, as a
boy, I was so bored and finally I shouted to my father, 'Could
you give me a gun?' He was startled, but then he allowed me to
take part."

Grauffel first entered a real competition at the age of 11. "I
could not sleep thinking about the next day's event. I was really
very nervous but my parents were very supportive," he said,
adding that it was good to be the only child of the family.

"At least, I didn't have to share bullets or guns, which are
expensive," he laughed.

His father, Gerard, who accompanied Grauffel to Bali, said he
was extremely proud of his son.

"As a young man, he is so disciplined and very determined in
life. But I have to balance his young life with his professional
career," said the father, who is also his son's coach and
manager.

The younger Grauffel enters every championship and dominates
shooting ranges in France and other European countries, the
United States, Canada, Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Grauffel has already won 127 presidential medals in his young
career. He also has won various championships, including the
World Junior Championship (team) in l996 and the European
Championship (all categories) in l988.

"However, my best memory was when I beat the world champion at
the IPSC World Championship in Cebu, the Philippines in l999," he
smiled.

Grauffel, then 19 years old, stunned world champion Todd
Jarrett to become the world's best shooter when he scored a
perfect 1882 points to Jarett's 1784 points.

He retained his title at the 2002 World Championship in South
Africa. The World Shooting Championship is held every three
years.

"I hope I can achieve a record by winning a third World
Championship in Ecuador in 2005. It is my main ambition for the
time being."

"I will definitely be here in Indonesia if the country hosts
the 2008 World Shooting Championship," he said.

He has good memories of Serangan island. "The practice field
is excellent, but it would be better if it had more attractive
stages, tents and grass to attract more shooters and visitors to
the shooting ranges."

"It needs to be like that at world-class shooting championship
venues," he added.

Pleasant surroundings help shooters concentrate on the
competition. "Shooting is a combination of respect, discipline,
concentration, patience and physical and mental endurance," he
explained, adding that the sport was very good for improving the
mental and intellectual agility of young people.

"They need to concentrate in school. This kind of sport might
help them with concentration problems. It also improves self-
discipline."

However, he is aware that practical shooting using handguns is
not a sport for everyone. "First, it is very expensive. Your
equipment must be up-to-date with the latest technology."

Many people do not fully understand the sport. "People
frequently ask me about my sport and are surprised to find out
that I use a handgun. They think I am a policeman or from the
military."

"It needs to be promoted that practical shooting is a genuine
sport that brings a variety of beneficial mental and physical
benefits for an individual, especially the young."

He has found that many shooters, including those in Indonesia,
are older. "I think there should be a good regeneration process
in this sport all over the world. Young people must be in the
forefront and take the initiative."

Grauffel is not upset that practical shooting is not an
Olympic event.

"That's fine by me. If your sport is not included in the
Games, that does not necessarily mean you are not a sportsman. I
am glad for what I have achieved in my field."

As the world champion, Grauffel has to take part in yearly
competitions around the world.

In 2004, he participated in at least 17 competitions across
the globe, including in Bali.

Before coming to Bali, he was in the United States to
participate in the U.S. Open and in Canada for shooting courses.

"The schedules has been very tight for me. But what is tiring
for me is adjusting to the climate and temperature of each
country."

He has to arrive a week to 10 days before competitions held in
countries with big time differences. "The change in time will
disturb the concentration level of shooters, so when you have to
take part in a championship your body and mind should first be
adjusted to local conditions."

Despite this tight competition schedule, Grauffel is able to
spend some leisure time windsurfing. "My house is just 10 minutes
from the beach. I hope I can surf while in Bali, but the weather
is not quite suitable right now."

Grauffel is now preparing for the upcoming World Championship.
"As an athlete, you have to be prepared for any condition. You
can win or lose in any event. All you can do is try your best
every time."