Shooting for the stars
Everytime he goes shooting, his dad remains in his thoughts.
Resident Nico Grobler – an electrician by profession – is a member of the Private Combat Rifle Association (PCRA). He recently won various medals in the sport.
Nico does combat rifle shooting in the B class for the Gauteng South team of four members. Nico started rifle shooting 10 months ago and competed in the Mpumalanga Combat Rifle Championships in Barberton in June and the Free State Combat Rifle Championships in Bloemfontein in mid July.
In Barberton he came up against approximately 45 competitors who either have a background in or is still in the police, army and government services.
Nico was a member of the Provincial B team, which received a gold medal. Individually he brought home two silver medals in the 200 metre rapid and 100 snap-shooting events. He also obtained a bronze medal in the 300 metre sustain fire shooting.
At the Free State Rifle Championships, Nico again raised some eyebrows, having received the following medals against about 60 other competitors:
• Bronze in the provincial A team
• Gold in the rapid totals
• Bronze in the 300 metre snap shooting
• Silver in the 300 metre rundown
• Gold in the 300 metre rapid shooting
• Silver in the 200 metre sustain fire shooting
Nico said his love of the sport was instilled by his father with whom he spent countless days shooting.
His father no longer can join him in his adventures but every time he goes shooting he always remember his father and the memories they have made while enjoying the sport. His son, also named Nico, is following in his dad and grandfather’s footsteps and even wears the same uniform his dad wears when shooting.
In a month’s time Nico will be competing in the Northwest championships and with his remarkable talent, he is sure to return home with a medal.
Nico invites the community to try out this unique sport he is so fond of.
