Tony Chung Shoots for Success
October 8, 2014
Most students who boast of a unique talent most likely knocked themselves out on refining it for years on end. However, the same cannot be said for freshman Tony Chung, a shooter with skills beyond his age.
The baby Brahma embarked on his shooting career three years ago when he was 12 years old. The reason was simple: shooting sounded awesome.
“When my mom asked me if I wanted to shoot guns as a sport, I instantly thought of “Call of Duty.” I imagined myself shooting machine guns, shot guns, pistols, and more. It was a dream that I couldn’t say no to,” Chung stated.
For his seemingly short three-year career, the ambitious freshman has an astonishingly advanced profile. Chung is currently a participating member and athlete of three organizations—the Bridge Junior Shooting Club, USA Shooting, and the National Rifle Association. When he first started, Chung made himself at home at the Bridge Jr. Shooting Club, which later opened the door to both USA Shooting and the NRA.
As a hopeful participant in the future Olympics, Chung has already laid out his plans to “wow” the world. He achieved a feat unheard of in the world of competitive shooting when, at 12, he became the youngest member to land a spot on the roster of the National Junior team of USA Shooting. The Brahma has already been to two international competitions to represent the United States — one in the Czech Republic and the other in Spain.
Although it may seem as if he only relies on his innate talent, the amateur shooter confessed that the sport has not always gone well for him.
“I had many slumps throughout my shooting career. During my slumps, I had to train hard every day. It’s a tiring process, but that’s how you win and become the best,” Chung explained.
At a recent national competition, he placed in the top three for every event, and at the World Championships, his team placed fifth.
The young and determined sportsman also has big plans for the future. While Chung says that he’d love to continue shooting at a professional level, he is thinking about whether he wants to go to the Olympics or use his shooting records to gain admission to West Point or the Air Force Academy.
“What I love most about shooting is the competition. The adrenaline rush is something that drives me crazy. I’ll have to admit that shooting under pressure, for me, is very difficult, since shooting involves very steady movement. The top shooters are the ones that can overcome the pressure.”
