Older & Wiser: Army Shooter To Put Experience To Test At Commonwealth Games

British Army shooter Mike Bamsey is hoping to put his increased experience to good use when competing for Wales at his second Commonwealth Games.

The 24-year-old is part of the Army's successful Troops to Target scheme and is one of three soldiers who will take to the range in Australia.

He'll join Stuart Hill, who'll be representing Northern Ireland and England's Sam Gowin on the Gold Coast in April.

The junior soldier, a veteran of the event in Glasgow four years ago, is looking to right some wrongs.

He told Forces Network his first Games turned into something of a chastening experience after the then-20-year-old arrived in confident mood:

"I was a finalist in the air rifle [event] and I ended up seventh... I [also] missed out on the 'three positions' final by one place.

"It pretty much knocked me for six as an athlete... I didn't manage [to meet] my own expectations."

"I went in expecting that I was going to win and it would be easy and it wouldn't be a problem. 

"So when I finally got there and realised all the problems that face a professional athlete at that level and all the challenges that you face on the world stage, it kind of took me by surprise."

The Sapper has built up a fine pedigree in the sport, however.

Having been introduced to shooting with the scouts, the product of Cardiff and West Virginia Universities is a four-time junior British champion and was the first British rifle shooter to reach the World University Games finals.

Thanks to the Army his shooting ambitions are still on track and a more-mature Mike says he is now ready for another shot at Commonwealth glory:

"This time it's all about putting what I've learned in the last... [eight] years into practice."

"[My] expectations for this Games are to simply execute my own plan and if my plan works out and I win something, fantastic.

"But if can I walk off the line and say that I executed my plan, I did everything that I could, you can't really be disappointed with that. "

The talented marksman will compete in three events in Australia.

While the majority of his time is spent honing his shooting skills, gym work plays a crucial role in posture and breathing.

He said: "I've found, especially in the last four years, strength conditioning is one of the key factors that people don't take into account. 

"You've got your core stability, you've got your general strength, cardio, all of that comes into play - especially when you're in competition.

"You've got to deal with all the pressures of the competition, plus your own body fighting against you and if you're just in physically-good condition it's a lot easier to do."

This Commonwealth Games cycle has seen Spr Bamsey embark on a military career.

He's yet to complete his phase-two training but already skills from his sporting life are helping him as a soldier. He said:

"During basic training patience was a big [skill]... You've just got to do what you're told, when you're told. So my discipline was pretty good."

But with the military training taking a brief hiatus, the focus now is on Gold Coast glory.

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