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Repacholi gunning for fifth Olympics

3 minute read

Pistol shooter Dan Repacholi is on target to compete at a fifth consecutive Olympic Games.

Dan Repacholi has taken a significant step towards competing at a fifth consecutive Olympics, winning the men's 10m air pistol final in Australia's first selection event.

Bailey Groves secured Australia a Tokyo 2020 quota spot in the event when he beat Repacholi to win gold at last year's Oceania championships in Sydney.

But on Sunday, Repacholi turned the tables in Brisbane to win with a score of 240.1 points ahead of West Australians Groves (234.5) and Mike Giustiniano (211.9).

It was the first of four selection events, with shooters' three best scores from the process to count towards a leaderboard that will determine who represents Australia at the Tokyo Olympics.

Repacholi, who won two gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games then took a break from the sport as he contemplated retirement, is determined to do more than just compete at a fifth Olympics.

"I'm not spending all this time away from my beautiful wife and kids just to get another tracksuit," Repacholi said.

"I've got enough of them. I want to win and stand on the dais.

"I got away to a good start today but the last few shots weren't what I was after."

In the women's 25m pistol final on Sunday, Elena Galiabovitch (28 targets) eased to victory over Alison Heinrich (21) and Civon Smith (16).

Galiabovitch, seeking to reach her second Olympics after competing at Rio 2016, also won the women's 10m air pistol on Friday and was runner-up in the same event on Saturday.

The selection process continues in Brisbane on March 6 and will conclude with pistol, rifle and shotgun athletes descending on Sydney for the final round of events on March 18-22.

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