Shooter Spotlight: German Salazar
The purpose of the “Shooter Spotlight” is to help shooters get to know their fellow competitors a little bit better. We cover a wide range of shooters from “Marksman to Master.” This is the 9th interview in the series.
Where do you call home?
Phoenix, Arizona, just 5 miles away from the 1000 yard range at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility.
How long have you been shooting?
I started shooting Smallbore in 1971 in a Junior program, and added Bullseye Pistol adn Highpower over the years.
How did you get involved in shooting competitively?
The Junior program I was in was not a competitive program, it was good training in prone and 3P. When I was out of high school I was able to get to matches on my own and began shooting competitively in whatever I could find.
What is a little known fact about yourself that your fellow competitors might not know?
I was born in Colombia and grew up there and in Brazil, we came to the US in 1971 (when I began shooting more than a BB gun).
What do you consider your finest shooting achievement.
Without a doubt, earning the Distinguished Rifleman badge, Distinguished Pistol Shot badge and Distinguished Smallbore Shooter (Prone) award. These awards represent a sustained effort over many years and a dedication to marksmanhip in all its forms. I am proud to have earned them and work to pass the skills and knowledge on to anyone who has a sincere interest in marksmanship.
What is your favorite pre-match meal?
Usually a banana, some granola and orange juice. Tons of water during the match.
What is your favorite post match drink?
Water and plenty of it. We shoot all summer long in Phoenix, oftern in temperature over 110 degrees, there’s no such thing as drinking too much water out here.
Do you have a favorite shooting range?
The Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix. It’s a very challenging range, wide open to wind from all directions and the desert landscape is so striking that I am at a loss for words to describe how beautiful it is to me. The Whittington Center at Raton, NM is a close second, another very challenging, Western 1000 yard range.
Do you have any short term and/or long term goals?
I always work on breaking a shot quickly and cleanly. Good decision making skills with respect to wind corrections and when to shoot and when to wait are also high on my list.
What shooting skill are currently focusing your energy on?
My goal is to constantly recruit new competitive shooters and impart the needed skill set to them. Our personal achievements will mean very little if the range is empty and closed due to lack of participation. Recruiting and teaching top all personal goals for me.
Thanks German for sharing a little bit about yourself with the pronematch.com community!
Category: Shooter Spotlight
Thanks German, great interview. By the way, your forum is sorely missed.