A Paola man is heading to the Paris Olympics. Not as a spectator, but as an athlete. Derrick Mein, finished 24th in the trap shooting event in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He certainly has had an incredible run the past few years. He has three consecutive National Championships. He was the first American man to win the Men’s World Championship in the Trap Shoot since 1966 and he says he has spent the last three years with one focus: winning a medal at this year’s Olympics. Mein says he has changed a few things in preparation, mainly focusing on his stance to help him rotate better. He talks about the difference between practicing at home in Paola and competition:
But, what about the pressure the Olympics will bring. Mein says he thrives on pressure and will be ready for it when the shoot begins in Paris. In an interview with KSHB TV, he says a medal would mean the world to him and this may be his last chance at it. He wants to embrace the moment and shoot it for what it is. Interestingly, one of the medals he won in the last year is a silver with the U. S. Men’s team at the exact same course in France where the Olympics will be held the first few days of the games, beginning July 27th and continuing through the following week.
