Sutiya says longer stay in Rio will help
World No 1 skeet shooter Sutiya Jiewchaloemmit hopes a long preparation at the Olympic shooting venue will result in her performing well in Rio.
The Sakew-born shooter, one of the country’s medal prospects following her back-to-back World Cup victories in Rio and San Marino this year, left Bangkok yesterday with the hope of getting used to the National Shooting Centre in Deodoro before the competition starts on August 12.
“Unlike the last Olympics, I have more time to adjust [to the local conditions]. If there is a problem, I should be able to fix it in time,” said Sutiya, who became the first Thai shooter to win a World Cup gold medal with the Rio triumph in May.
Sutiya admitted she had some minor injuries but it was nothing serious.
She added that she had been training according to plan but would not speak about her chances in the Games.
The 30-year-old, who is making her third appearance in the Olympics, finished fifth in Beijing in 2008 and failed to make the cut in London four years ago.
“I won’t focus on any particular medal,” she told local media last month. “The result is something beyond the control of the athletes. But what I can control is how intensively I train and how much I can develop my fitness for competition. Following my plan is the only thing I can control now.”
Sutiya has been accompanied to Rio by her mind coach Dr Pichit Muangnapho, who was provided by the Sport Authority of Thailand. Pichit also travelled with the national shooter when she won the two World Cup events.
