Mukuamediarov backs Juma for bigger goals

Incheon, South Korea: Rafael Mukuamediarov is no stranger in the UAE shooting circles. Way back in 1997, the former Uzbek champion undertook the task of guiding Shaikh Ahmad Hasher Al Maktoum towards his quest for an Olympic medal.

Success came seven years later at the 2004 Athens Games as Shaikh Ahmad won the gold ahead of India’s Rajya Vardhan Rathore in the men’s double trap.

On Thursday, Mukuamediarov was again in the spotlight, this time for overseeing the campaign of Shaikh Juma Bin Dalmouk Al Maktoum who went on to claim the bronze in the men’s double trap at the Incheon Asian Games. “Those two misses on the eighth and 28th targets cost us a possible gold,” Mukuamediarov reflected later.

“But hats off to him [Shaikh Juma] for keeping his calm and focus. He had worked hard for this and he deserves this. He has done a great job. Now it is time to relax and prepare for the next challenge,” the coach added.

Loai Al Naim, manager of the team, perhaps summed it up best: “In shooting you need luck.”