AMPARO Teresa Acuña, who is the only shooter in the Philippines to hold three national records in international competitions, is doing her best to prepare for the coming Southeast Asian Games.
The present conditions during training may not be ideal. But, Acuna is determined to come up with a great showing.
“As far as SEA Games preparations are going, not everything is going smoothly as it should be. The lack of ammunition and the damaged situation of the range are no doubt a hindrance to our training,” said Acuna during a break in her preparations.
Many national shooters under the Philippine National Shooting Association, just like Acuna, are currently training without air conditioning in the air rifle range at the Philippine Marine facility in Ft. Bonifacio.
Most of them are compelled to use the jury room or office as make shift shooting bays, according to Acuna.
The Philippine shooting team contingent in rifle is made up of Acuna and Jayson Valdez. The pistol shooters are Shannin Gonzales and Elvie Baldovino, while shotgun has Hagen Alexander Topacio, Paul Bryan Rosario and Eric Ang. Peter Atencio
Despite the tough conditions, Acuna brought home a medal in every shooting category where she competed in during the recent 41st South East Asian Shooting Association championship held last May in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Aside from having three national shooting records in the Philippines, she recently broke the South East Asian record for 50-meter 3 position in the SEASA championship by scoring 581.
She beat Malaysia’s Olympian Mohd, Taibi Nur Suryani , who scored 581 with a mere difference of 2x’s (or perfect shot).
In doing so, she also surpassed her previous Philippine record of 578.
She has been provided with a new set of international standard shooting attire consisting of jacket, gloves and trousers by the Philippine Sports Complex.
She receives occasional support from PB Dionisio which has been able to tide her through her national competitions and previous training.
With only one month left, she continues to practice with second-class ammunition and a training facility with malfunctioning equipment.