Mumtazah glad to be shooting again at the range

Young pistol shooter Mumtazah Syahiidah Shamsuri is glad to be back at the shooting range after three months of just training indoors during the movement control order (MCO).

Without a range to practise, the Johor girl has been using either water bottles or toy guns attached to a resistance band to work on her posture and accuracy.

The out-of-the-box method was closely monitored by her coach Firdaus Abdul Rahim, but now she will be under his watchful eyes at the Johor Shooting Range in Batu Pahat.

“I started training since June 23, and it certainly feels good to be back. Not to forget, you get to ‘spar’ with your teammates, which would only improve your focus and competitiveness,” said Mumtazah.

“We did follow the programmes set by the coaching staff during the MCO, but without the range, you lose some edge in terms of fitness and technique.

“The aim now is to regain that. I am also training myself to be more patient and to be prepared for any situation. The pandemic has taught us that life can be unpredictable.”

Mumtazah, who won the gold in the 10m air pistol at the Selangor championships, is one of the country’s top young shooting talents.

With the national team set to start training at the National Sports Council (NSC) shooting range on July 7, many are expecting the young lass to be part of the team.

“I’m ready to take part in competitions again to continue stamping my mark in the sport. For any athlete, making the national team is a dream and I’m no different.”