Age is just a number for national skeet and trap shooter Savate Sresthaporn. At 57, he is the oldest athlete to represent Thailand at the Tokyo Olympic Games, which commence on July 23.
He qualified for the Olympics after clinching a silver medal at a competition in the UAE two years earlier and already has a World Cup medal to his name.
However, just when training sessions for the global sporting meet were coming to a close last year, Covid-19 hit and put the Olympics on hold indefinitely.
Over a year has elapsed since, making the recent news of the games coming back a dream come true, although there will be no spectators.
Before learning about Savate's rise to fame, Life asked him how he had been coping with the event being postponed.
"Upon hearing that the Olympics would be delayed [indefinitely], I told myself that I had to accept the fact because it had global ramifications. It was a unique, unprecedented situation beyond anyone's control. I had to look on the bright side and I realised I had more time to practise for the big day. I'm very fortunate that the association held a monthly competition for the upcoming SEA Games during this period, so I went through the motions of competing under pressure, rather than mundane daily practice.
"Having said that, it was exceptionally challenging also because you cannot replace competing at the global level and being against professional shooters. The most important opponent in this game is yourself. You have to be able to focus and not let yourself get overcome by nerves and emotions. I believe every Olympian must equip themselves with the skills needed to win a medal but athletes who succeed are the ones who have better control over their emotions."
As national athletes prepare to leave for the Olympic Games in the middle of this month, the seasoned shooter wants Thais to show support by watching them compete in televised matches.
"Whatever the outcome, I'm positive everyone will try their very best."
Now, let's get to know the man behind the rifle.
Shooter Savate Sresthaporn. Photos Courtesy of denny nongpromma
The story of Savate's entry into the national team is filled with coincidences. With both private and commercial flying licences under his belt, he once desired to pursue a career in aviation.
But being born into a traditional Chinese family -- where boys customarily follow in the footsteps of their businessmen fathers -- dampened any aspirations he had of following his dreams.
"I had been picked to work for Thai International but when I went to get my father's approval, he sat me down to discuss whether making this career move would be a lucrative one. When we did the calculations, it was clear that I would end up managing the family business."
Savate nevertheless continued flying but as a hobby and put in the hours needed to retain his flying licence.
The constant fear his family had of putting himself in danger and having started a family eventually made him decide to fly only so he could keep his licence. It was during this time in his life that a pilot friend introduced him to skeet and trap shooting when he was 40.
"As I wasn't flying on the weekends, I had to choose between golfing and shooting to pass time. I really didn't think too much about the sport at first. I found it more like an elite club as shooters must have a sizeable amount of money to finance themselves.
"I didn't know back then that national athletes actually retire at age 40. Nevertheless, I made the most of it. Whatever I do, I put my heart and soul into it, so becoming a national shooter was no different."
Basically, he started from scratch. After studying the discipline thoroughly on his own for a year, he soon found himself mesmerised.
In the 16 years he has been with the national team, Savate said it's all been about setting goals and reaching them, one event at a time.
Regarding the major sporting events he has competed in so far, he said: "At the SEA Games level, I was able to get a gold medal last year in the Philippines after trying for a decade, while at the Asian Games, my best has been reaching the top six.
"Getting to qualify for the Olympics has been a hard-earned feat, which proves that perseverance and hard work pays off handsomely."
