Nobes sights set on Games

It isn't a question of if but when Whangarei sharp shooter Thomas Nobes is selected for the Commonwealth Games.

The 24-year-old pistol shooter leaves for the Oceania Championships in Australia on Thursday knowing if he shoots well he's Glasgow bound next year.

But Nobes' determination to compete at the Commonwealth Games means that if he isn't successful this time around - he says will try continue trying until he makes it.

To gain selection, Nobes has to repeat the qualifying total he has already reached in New Zealand - at an international competition - to satisfy selectors he has what it takes.

He has two chances to qualify. He competes in two events at Sydney - the 50m pistol and his more favoured 10m air pistol.

"I'd be absolutely stoked if I qualify but I'm not getting ahead of myself - it's not going to be easy and if I do it's going to be entirely new ground for me," he said.

Nobes has matured from a promising junior into a seasoned competitor, with two national records to his name, and he is now eager to take his place in the top tier of the sport.

This Tuesday he'll line up on the range for the 10m air pistol men's match needing a score of 574 out of a possible 600, from 60 shots. At the 50m pistol range on Wednesday he'll need a score of 541.

The Northland marksman is used to the extra pressures involved in international competition but said when it comes down it, the focus required to shoot well is the same. "It all comes down to handling the pressure on the day of the shoot but I've done it here and now I've got to do it over there," he said.

He has done all he can to prepare for the contest by shooting every day in the lead-up to the event and said he is in a positive frame of mind ahead of the trip.

There is a day of unofficial training on the Sydney ranges on Friday before the Oceania Championships start on Saturday. Any training after that has to be "sneaked" in, when the ranges aren't being used for competition.