'Never think of age as the be all and end all. It is a number invented by men! Bah! Think as you feel,"
AGE is just a number for 78-year-old shooting champion, Enrico Boaga who recently won four gold medals in the national pistol shooting championship.
His passion for shooting, among other activities is what he credits for keeping him active and young at heart.
Wake up with a passion and if you think you don’t have one force yourself to be passionate
For 41 years, the shooting enthusiast has taken the sport by storm on a national level, winning medals for his outstanding achievements. “I discovered in 1975 that I was a natural in this sport when I was invited by my company to join the shooting club. Within a year I received my national colours,” said Boaga.His dream of being a national shooting treasure almost came to an end when the Yellowwood Park resident had an eye operation on his predominant shooting eye. “It was an obstacle but I was determined to get over it. I trained my other eye to become stronger in accuracy and visually. It’s like nothing changed,” chuckled the shooter.
I live by my motto, Never give up and don’t be lazy
Besides shooting, Boaga participates in a long list of activities such as golf, badminton, fishing and cooking. “I am an Italian and next year will be 50 year I will be in SA. I love my Mediterranean style food which I cook. It is healthy and delicious. I have passion in everything I do and I live by my motto, Never give up and don’t be lazy’. Wake up with a passion and if you think you don’t have one force yourself to be passionate,” said the shooter.
Never letting his age get in the way of life, he advises the older generation to keep going. ‘never think of age as the be all and end all. It is a number invented by men! Bah! Think as you feel,” advises Boaga.He encourages those who are interested in taking up shooting as a sport as it puts the brain to good use. “You have to be mentally and physically fit because in this sport, you need to be strong. It will teach you discipline and control, Also how to listen. I tell you, it’s very addictive, especially when you start winning. It builds confidence and ambition in a person,” he said.
