BOOKAAR shooter Penny Smith's Olympic dream is a reality.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
The 24-year-old trap athlete was on Friday unveiled as one of seven shooters named to debut for Australia at the Tokyo games in 2021.
Smith said the result was the realisation of a lifelong goal.
Making the Tokyo Olympics is a lifelong dream come true.
- Penny Smith
"It's a bit overwhelming. I finished first overall at the trials a few weeks ago but nothing is confirmed until you get the word from the Australian Olympic Council," she told The Standard. "It's just surreal. I've had plenty of setbacks - missing the Commonwealth Games (in 2018) was a big one but it was also a blessing.
"It's made me work so much harder over the last couple of years. I've become even more structured and dedicated to improving."
Smith, one of seven debutant shooters in the Australian team, said her parents, brother Andrew and workplace had been supportive as she pursued Olympic qualification.
READ MORE:
The keen equestrian planned a quiet weekend at home with family to celebrate selection.
She hadn't yet devised a training program but said regular target shooting on her parents' Bookaar property was valuable.
"It's back to normal life for the moment," she said.
"I'm still working at Bluewater and my parents run a dairy farm. We had our first calf (on Thursday night).
"I was out riding the horses with mum this morning. I think I'll have a quiet one with mum and dad and hopefully catch up with my brother at some point."
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
