Isabella Straub the Sharp Shooter
It is in the family
My whole family is part of a Shooting Club and my dad was a sport director at the club. Also, my sister had been shooting for a while and I always wanted to do it myself. Shortly after my tenth birthday, I was standing at the shooting range for the very First time. You had to be ten years old in order to use an air gun, and so 18 years later I have yet to stop.
What captures the attention/mind/soul?
The Interconnection between body and mind have to be in harmony. On top of that, you need to be fully concentrated in order to hit your mark.
The KK 3×40 (small-bore rifle) is my favorite gun to shoot. It is varied and challenging. Not only a perfect aiming position and superb technique are needed, but you also have to be able to master the weather. The difficulty is what makes this discipline even better when you hit the ring (target).
Small routines big results
Yes I get nervous, especially before big competitions. I’m conscientious about my nerves. They are helpful cause you are more focused and more resolute. I have a certain routine before a competition. That starts as soon as I wake up. A more specific example is when warming up my shooting I always take some dry hits (shooting without bullets). Likewise, I rely on my technique and my courses while the shooting to calm my nerves.
Straubs’ week in a nutshell
- 2 times per week KK (small bore) training
- 2 times per week LG (airgun)
Competitions at the weekend and Bundesliga throughout the wintertime.
Depending on the season with different priorities. At the beginning a higher repetition of shooting, then it’s more technical training, which is followed by the competition training.
Positive surroundings push Straub through
Yes, I had to face a few setbacks but I only got injured seriously once. I struggled a lot by taking the step from the youth competitions to the senior competitions.
I live in a good environment that always encouraged me and my dream of Olympia kept me going. I try to overcome those downs step by step. Unluckily it isn’t so easy all the time. You can learn a lot from setbacks and I wouldn’t be the athlete I am now without the tough times.
Self-belief is the strongest of motivators
Never lose trust in yourself. Built-up a supporting environment (parents, friends, coach, training partner). Have a goal that you want to achieve. Talent isn’t everything, you have to train as well, but recovery is as important. Most importantly always have fun with what you are doing!
How close is too close?
European Championship was my first big win. It was an insane competition, where I didn’t believe I could win. But my coach believed in me, even more than I did in myself. I had a lot of bad luck but in the end, everything turned and I won gold with 0,1 rings, which is the smallest possible margin.
The pressure of expectations to fondest memories
I can’t tell if the expectations of others have changed. I do know that I have still the same ones for myself. I want to get the very best out of myself at every competition. Therefore there aren’t any differences between the competitions. 100% that’s always the goal.
Puh, I had many good moments. But I do think its the gold medal at the junior European championships in 2009. It was such a tough competition. It taught me to never give up. You have to fight till the last shot is taken.
