LAST UPDATE MARCH 2020
The Italian Rodolfo Viganò, called Rudy born in 1971, was one of the first to believe in the brand and to use Gemini chokes in his competitions. Competitor at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, 4-time World Champion, two of which as a member of the olympic trapshooting team (setting the world record), 1 as a member of the universal trench team (setting the world record) and 1 as individual athlete, 5-time European team Olympic trapshooting Chamapion and 2-time World Cup Olympic trapshooting silver medalist. Rodolfo has been shooting instructor since 1996 and trainer of the Italian Federation since 2018.
1. How did your passion for clay-pigeon shooting begin?
My passion was born from the hunting tradition of my family; clay target shooting was the discipline replacing hunting at the end of any season. We used to enjoy and drill for such sport, looking forward to the next hunting season. Shooting has a bit at a time become increasingly important to me, up to committing myself for 12 months a year.
2. How did you realize that trapshooting was your discipline?
Back in my day trapshooting was by far a leading discipline in Italy, hence also the one offering the greatest possibilities for practice, with the most shooting ranges available to athletes. Let's say it was a natural choice.
3. What was your most exciting victory?
I can't remember a particular victory more thrilling than the others. There are unquestionable successes, the competitions leading to step onto the podium or to the final as well as those from which nothing is left but learning , in order to improve in view of the next ones.
4. What’s your way to concentrate?
I believe the main skill of a good shooter is to be capable of getting rid of any thoughts lying outside of the competition.
Moreover concentration depends on the crucial spur determined by accuracy: the more you care about the competition, the more you pay attention to what you are about to do, exponentially enhancing your ability to focus only and exclusively on the clay target to be hit. In general, however, almost all concentration methods are linked to breathing: both before stepping on the shooting platform and while standing on it.
5. To what extent are the Gemini choke tubes essential for the success of your sporting achievements?
Gemini chokes have met all my ballistic needs. Giovanni (ed. Founder of Winshoot, manufacturer of Gemini chokes) he is a true professional, gifting me with a remarkable availability, in terms of expertise and humanity.
6. What’s their strong point in your opinion?
They work, there is nothing else to add! The range is well-stocked as for any sport shooting and hunting arms. They are unbeatable.
7. What weapon do you use and what choke tube do you prefer?
I am used to employing a Perazzi shotgun featured with Ported chokes and 8 or 9/10 constriction sizes.
8. What advice would you give to a young person approaching this sport?
I suggest cherishing such sport deeply, as it shall accompany him till his old age.
Exploiting the teachings and the discipline offered by this sport.
Growing up together with this excellent opportunity.
9. You were one of the first ones to choose Gemini for your performances, why did you trust in this brand from the beginning?
I can proudly claim I was the first. I simply tried and it worked. The confidence came later, on the field; at that time Gemini was a little-known brand in the domain of clay target shooting.
10. Would you like to give us some advice to further improve our product?
You don't need it … Giovanni has always been attentive and in step with the times.
Should in the near future the rules of clay-pigeon shooting be changed, I am sure the Gemini team would provide an immediate search for an optimal adjustment of the entire range.