Sergy Rikhter
Encyclopedia
Sergy Rikhter is an Israeli Olympic sport shooter.
He shares the junior world record in the 10 metre air rifle, and was the 2009 ISSF World Cup
champion. He will compete on behalf of Israel at the 2012 Summer Olympics
.
, Israel. He began shooting in 2002, at 13 years of age, as part of a Gadna
(Israel Defense Forces
youth corps) program. He then trained with Hapoel
Rehovot.
Rikhter trains at the Herzliya
firing range, is now a member of Maccabi
Ra'anana
. He is right-handed, and his "master eye" is his right eye. He is coached by Israeli three-time Olympian Guy Starik
.
Rikhter won a gold medal
at 20 years of age at the 10 metre air rifle men's final of the 2009 ISSF World Cup
in Munich
, Germany. His qualification score of 599 points was one point short off the world record, and tied the junior world record. He won with 701.7 points. Rikhter said after the match: “This is exciting, I did not expect to finish on the highest step of the podium. This is my fourth time in an international competition!”
That year, the German shooting team Kolber invited Rikhter for trials, and signed him. Rikhter became the team's leading shooter, and a local star. He recalled competing for Kolber, with competitions carried on live television and fans seeking his autograph:
In February 2010, he won the gold medal in the IWK Air Gun competition men's 10 metre air rifle match in Munich. In June 2010, he came in fourth in the men's 10 metre air rifle final at the 2010 International Shooting Sport Federation
(ISSF) World Cup in Belgrade
, Serbia, missing the bronze medal by one-tenth of a point. In June 2011, he was ranked fifth in the world by the ISSF.
He came in seventh in the September 2011 ISSF World Cup final in the men's 10 metre air rifle. He did so after being penalized with a deduction of two points, for being late in reporting for the final. Had the two points not been deducted, he would have finished with a silver medal.
He won a silver medal at the 2011 Changwon
, South Korea, World Cup, with 597 points, becoming the first Israeli athlete to qualify for the London Olympics.
Discussing the dismissive attitudes of some fellow Israelis, Rikhter said: "Almost every person who served in the army 'had the best shooting results in basic training', or 'was the IDF champion'. They're all 'expert marksmen'. No one will say, 'hey, wow, that's really something.' Every Israeli is basically the best shooter you can find."
Rikhter will compete on behalf of Israel at the 2012 Summer Olympics
in London in men's 10 metre air rifle, having qualified by earning a quota place
. After the Olympics, he plans to complete his military service, and to study graphic design
.
He shares the junior world record in the 10 metre air rifle, and was the 2009 ISSF World Cup
2009 ISSF World Cup
The 2009 ISSF World Cup is the twenty-fourth annual edition of the ISSF World Cup in the Olympic shooting events, governed by the International Shooting Sport Federation. Four qualification competitions are held in each event, spanning from April to June, and the best shooters will qualify for the...
champion. He will compete on behalf of Israel at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Israel at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Israel is scheduled to compete at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom from July 27 to August 12, 2012.- Athletics:Israeli athletes who have so far achieved qualifying standards:*Achieved A standard:...
.
Early life
Rikhter is Jewish, was born in Ukraine, and is now Israeli and lives in RehovotRehovot
Rehovot is a city in the Center District of Israel, about south of Tel Aviv. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics , at the end of 2009 the city had a total population of 112,700. Rehovot's official website estimates the population at 114,000.Rehovot was built on the site of Doron,...
, Israel. He began shooting in 2002, at 13 years of age, as part of a Gadna
Gadna (Israel)
Gadna is an Israeli military program to prepare youth for their mandatory military service in the Israel Defense Forces or Border Police. A one week program of discipline and military learning run mostly by soldiers of the Nahal infantry brigade, as well as by soldiers recruited and trained...
(Israel Defense Forces
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
youth corps) program. He then trained with Hapoel
Hapoel
Hapoel is an Israeli sport association. It was established in 1926 as a union of the Histadrut, and represented the workers class...
Rehovot.
Shooting career
Herzliya
Herzliya is a city in the central coast of Israel, at the western part of the Tel Aviv District. It has a population of 87,000 residents. Named after Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, Herzliya covers an area of 26 km²...
firing range, is now a member of Maccabi
Maccabi
The word Maccabi used to refer to one of the Maccabees, whose story has become synonymous with courage, success and victory. Nowadays, several Israeli and Jewish organisations carry this name:*Maccabi , international sports association...
Ra'anana
Ra'anana
Ra'anana is a city in the heart of the southern Sharon Plain of the Central District of Israel with a population of 68,300, . Ra'anana is bordered by Kfar Sava on the east and Herzliya on the southwest...
. He is right-handed, and his "master eye" is his right eye. He is coached by Israeli three-time Olympian Guy Starik
Guy Starik
Guy Starik is an Israeli sport shooter who has competed in four Olympics. He has won gold medals in shooting at both the European Championships and at four World Cups, and shares the world record in the 50 meter rifle prone competition....
.
Rikhter won a gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
at 20 years of age at the 10 metre air rifle men's final of the 2009 ISSF World Cup
2009 ISSF World Cup
The 2009 ISSF World Cup is the twenty-fourth annual edition of the ISSF World Cup in the Olympic shooting events, governed by the International Shooting Sport Federation. Four qualification competitions are held in each event, spanning from April to June, and the best shooters will qualify for the...
in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Germany. His qualification score of 599 points was one point short off the world record, and tied the junior world record. He won with 701.7 points. Rikhter said after the match: “This is exciting, I did not expect to finish on the highest step of the podium. This is my fourth time in an international competition!”
That year, the German shooting team Kolber invited Rikhter for trials, and signed him. Rikhter became the team's leading shooter, and a local star. He recalled competing for Kolber, with competitions carried on live television and fans seeking his autograph:
It was like a homecoming in films – fans, club staff, and all. I ... thought the German league would be a minor event, but it was utterly insane. They transformed a basketball arena into a firing range, filled the stands with trumpets, drums, and what not. Everyone was drinking beers and celebrating. I suddenly felt the fans get behind me, and expect me to lead the club to success. I was really moved.
In February 2010, he won the gold medal in the IWK Air Gun competition men's 10 metre air rifle match in Munich. In June 2010, he came in fourth in the men's 10 metre air rifle final at the 2010 International Shooting Sport Federation
International Shooting Sport Federation
The International Shooting Sport Federation is an organization that governs international shooting sports. While far from the only such organization, it is the one that is a member of the International Olympic Committee and so it is in charge of the Olympic shooting events. Not all ISSF shooting...
(ISSF) World Cup in Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
, Serbia, missing the bronze medal by one-tenth of a point. In June 2011, he was ranked fifth in the world by the ISSF.
He came in seventh in the September 2011 ISSF World Cup final in the men's 10 metre air rifle. He did so after being penalized with a deduction of two points, for being late in reporting for the final. Had the two points not been deducted, he would have finished with a silver medal.
He won a silver medal at the 2011 Changwon
Changwon
Changwon is a city in and the capital of Gyeongsangnam-do in South Korea. Changwon city is 8th most populous city in South Korea, with a 2010 established population of 1,089,039. It encompasses a land area of on southeastern of South Korea. The population of Southeastern part of Korea, that...
, South Korea, World Cup, with 597 points, becoming the first Israeli athlete to qualify for the London Olympics.
Discussing the dismissive attitudes of some fellow Israelis, Rikhter said: "Almost every person who served in the army 'had the best shooting results in basic training', or 'was the IDF champion'. They're all 'expert marksmen'. No one will say, 'hey, wow, that's really something.' Every Israeli is basically the best shooter you can find."
Rikhter will compete on behalf of Israel at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Israel at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Israel is scheduled to compete at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom from July 27 to August 12, 2012.- Athletics:Israeli athletes who have so far achieved qualifying standards:*Achieved A standard:...
in London in men's 10 metre air rifle, having qualified by earning a quota place
Shooting at the 2012 Summer Olympics – Qualification
-Qualification timeline:* This event was scheduled for February, but has been postponed due to the current unrest in Egypt.- 50 m rifle 3 positions men :- 50 m rifle prone men :- 10 m air rifle men :- 50 m pistol men :...
. After the Olympics, he plans to complete his military service, and to study graphic design
Graphic design
Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...
.
Current world record in 10 m air rifle
| Current world records held in 10 m Air Rifle 10 m Air Rifle 10 metre air rifle is an International Shooting Sports Federation shooting event, shot over a distance of 10 metres from a standing position with a 4.5 mm calibre air rifle with a maximum weight of 5.5 kg... |
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