ACOG - News - IBM

(25 July 1996; Day 6)

SCHUMANN Shoots for First, Again

In what is perhaps the most difficult shooting event, German Ralf SCHUMANN has dominated for years. He holds a world record from the Munich UIT World Cup in 1995 and a final world record from the Barcelona UIT World Cup.

This event is considered so difficult because of the speed and the diversity the shooter must possess to do well in competition. The shooter must hit five targets in four seconds with a pistol, changing his natural point of aim every time.

SCHUMANN has a long and distinguished list of matches that he has attended and won. He has only been beaten six times in his international career in this event. He has been to 25 World Cup matches, three European Championships, and each of the three Olympic Games since 1988. His lowest finish in any of those events is fifth.

According to teammate Christian KLEES, SCHUMANN gives shooting a high profile in Germany.

"The same thing happens every four years. The first medal of the Olympics is always a shooting medal. And shortly after that there's always a run on new members of shooting clubs in Germany," KLEES said. "Shooting does have a lot of visibility because of shooters like Ralf SCHUMANN."

SCHUMANN set an Olympic record on Thursday in the preliminary competition with a score of 596. This is one point shy of his own World Record. He is six points ahead of Emil MILEV (BUL), and could possibly better his final world record of 699.7. If he takes first place, it will probably sit next to the gold medal he won at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Janelle Whateley.


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