Recently crowned European champion, Jakub Tomeček, skeet shooter born in 1991 tells us how his passion for clay target shooting began and about his training path towards Tokyo 2020. Even in such a current complicated historical period, the athlete is not losing heart and is aiming high!
1. How did your passion for clay target shooting begin?
Ever since I can remember. Going back to my childhood days weapons were my favorite toy. In light of the above, I really believe there was no alternative but to undertake this challenge once I grew up. I tried my hand at using any type of shotgun and shooting any kind of target, however clay target shooting is my favourite for two simple reasons: the shotgun is large and the target moves!
2. How did you realize that skeet was your discipline?
I started to deal with sport shooting when I was 11/12 years old. Two years later I wondered ... what shall I do from now on? Who do I want to become? What’s my dream? At that moment I realized that the Olympics were my big goal, so I started looking around, analyzing the different Olympic disciplines. I'd like to say that I had three options to choose from but ... it wasn't exactly like that. My father simply said to me "you’re going to get a skeet shooter"!
3. What was your most exciting victory?
I have experienced many thrilling moments, not only during competitions. I truly enjoyed all of my victories and acheivements. I certainly remember my victory at the 2019 European Championships with delight, the capstone of my 15 years of commitment!
However to be honest the emotions do not come only from the triumphs in the competitions. I can clearly remember my first 25/25, or when I held my first shotgun in my hands; these too were important turning points in the trail of a young shooter at the dawn of his long competitive career.
4. To what extent are the Gemini choke tubes essential for the success of your sporting achievements?
From an agonistic point of view, the answer is extremely simple: Gemini chokes are the best choice a shooter can make for his rifle. In addition, the brand boasts a further strong point, Giovanni. I immediately understood that he really wanted to help me, he has always stood by my side, not only as a partner, but also as a friend, in any situation. He deeply believes in me and I want to do my best not to disappoint his expectations. This type of attitude is actually important for me and Gemini reflects it from every point of view.
5. What’s their strong point in your opinion?
Quite simply, the precision of the product, the degree of innovation that distinguishes it, the passion for clay pigeon shooting that is noticeable in any process as well as the remarkable responsivity of Giovanni and all his staff.
6. What advice would you give to a young person approaching this sport?
I would tell him to be strong and that this is not a short-term affair. Clay target shooting is a passion that will accompany him throughout his life, it won’t be always easy, but if he deeply believes in it, he shall be rewarded.
7. What about your latest achievements?
The 2020 sports season started very well. I only shot in two competitions this year and I won both of them. My satisfaction from the agonistic point of view is really strong. Unfortunately, the present situation worldwide is tough and training is not easy. My biggest wish now is that everything goes back to normal so that me and my fellow athletes can start training and competing again as soon as possible.
8. Would you like to give us some advice to further improve our product?
What is perfect is perfect. The best things don't need any improvement. I can only warn one should never "rest on his laurels", because competition waits for no one!
9. What about your training in view of Tokyo?
I'm not going to do anything special, so far my winning strategy has been working hard, I have no reason to change it.
10. What’s your way to concentrate?
During competitions, self-confidence is really important. Of course, stress plays tricks, but I can count on my shooting skills at any time. In this way, anxiety goes away quickly, just as it came. I’m used to shooting any single target without thinking of the past or the future. There is only the target, that's my aim, I don't worry about anything else.
11. What firearm do you use and what chokes do you choose?
In this moment I am shooting with a Beretta shotgun and I opt for SK1 and LM. This is the combination allowing me to reach the utmost precision.