Bhutanese para shooter Kinley Dem will compete in the R2 Women’s 10-metre Air Rifle event at the Asian Para Games in Japan tomorrow. The 31-year-old from Wangdue Phodrang will make her third appearance in the event. She hopes to improve on her performance at the 2023 Asian Para Games.
Kinley has trained for more than six hours a day at the Changlimithang Indoor Shooting Complex in Thimphu. She has been preparing since November last year, focusing on accuracy, consistency and mental strength.
She says the preparations have gone well and that she has improved a lot.
“Compared to the 2023 Asian Para Games, I hope to perform better this time. Training has been going well, and I have improved a lot. When we go to the Games, all of us hope to win medals. However, things do not always go as expected, and luck on the day also plays a role. I hope to do better than before,” she said.
Kinley joined the Bhutan Shooting Federation in 2018 and has represented the country in around eight international competitions.
She trains under Coach Dawa Lham, who says her technique has improved considerably. The focus now is on mental preparation. According to the coach, a steady position, controlled breathing and the ability to stay focused under pressure are essential in shooting.
“I do not see a need for major technical changes because her technique has improved a lot. Our main focus now is psychology. Since athletes from different countries are competing, and all of them are among the best, our athletes can face mental pressure. So, I am focusing on psychological preparation in training,” said Dawa Lham.
Kinley will compete in the qualification round alongside 20 other para shooters from 11 Asian countries.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Sangay Chezom
