Pinoy shooter all loaded for elims

NANJING, Philippines – Filipino shooter Celdon Jude Arellano can’t wait to pull the trigger for the actual competition of the second Youth Olympic Games here.

Arellano will see action Wednesday morning in the qualifications of the men’s 10-meter air rifle at the Fangshan Shooting Hall.

He is determined to make a mark in the event because anywhere he looked the past few days he’d seen the best young shooters in the world.

“The Chinese of course then the shooters from Italy, Hungary, Serbia and Japan are here. Madami po sila,” said Arellano.

But it doesn’t mean that the student of Information Technology is having butterflies in his stomach.

The 17-year-old Arellano had seen them before.

Only last June, he saw action in Munich for the World Cup and in July he went to Beijing to be with the best.

Arellano arrived here last Thursday and for the last five days had gone in and out of the shooting venue with his coach, Julius Valdez.

The lone Filipino shooter in this YOG said he’s excited to see action.

“We’ve been here for six days now,” said the young protégé of Filipino shooting champion Nathaniel “Tac” Padilla.             – Abac Cordero

“But it’s still hard to say what might happen here,” he added.

Arellano has found a generous benefactor in Padilla, a five-time SEA Games champion who as a 12-year-old won a gold medal in the 1976 World Shooting Championships in Mexico.

“He lets me use his rifle and provides me with everything else that I need,” said Arellano, still waiting for his own rifle to be provided by the Philippine Sports Commission.

“He’s young and he has the skills to become a champion someday. He needs our support,” said Padilla.

“I’m sure he’s (Arellano) eager to compete by now and give his best,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco.

Arellano is the quiet type and would hardly speak unless he’s spoken to.

“Focus lang,” said Arellano, just hoping to find his target here.

With or without his own rifle.