Georgia Pistone has embraced the pressure of international shooting competition and underlined her potential as a future star in the sport.
The 16-year-old from Hoppers Crossing turned heads with an impressive season in 2019, highlighted by her 12th-placed finish in the universal trench world championships against open-age opponents in France.
She also took out a bronze medal in a team’s event.
Pistone was understandably a little bit nervous about competing on the international stage, but she was certainly not overawed once she pulled her first trigger at the competitions.
“It was nerve-racking going over there and representing Australia, but it feels good,” Pistone said.
“There is a little bit of pressure, but you have to learn to deal with it. “When I wear my Australian jacket at competitions, I’m proud wearing it.” Pistone is eager to crack into the world top 10 this year.
The Werribee Victorian Clay Target Club member has set her sights on representing Australia at the worlds again, this year in Italy.
She is on track halfway through qualification, but still needs two big rounds to earn selection.
“It will be the top three ladies selected, so I have to put in a good performance in the next two rounds,” Pistone said.
“Where we’re shooting, I shoot well, so I’m pretty confident.”
The other high priority event for Pistone in 2020 is the national championships. She is the defending Australian champion, so the rest of the field will be aiming to bring her down. On target for big career
“I won it last year, so I’d love to go back-to-back,” Pistone said.
“It definitely will be hard because there’s a lot of good lady shooters in the sport.”
Pistone earned an Oceania gold medal with Australia B in the ISSF Olympic trap.
The achievements only come Pistone’s way because she is willing to work hard, even though she is busy completing her studies at Hoppers Crossing Secondary College.
“There’s a lot of training,” she said. “I’m always down at Werribee practicing before big comps, so I’m ready to go.
“It’s repetition, I shoot about 100 targets and I’m always repeating the same thing and having the same style.”
Pistone is the Don Deeble Sports Star for February. The award, hosted by Sunshine Western Region Sports Club and Star Weekly, made possible by donations from Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank and Deer Park Club, recognises talented young athletes from the western suburbs.
To nominate a sports star, email lance.jenkinson@starweekly.com.au
