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."