GILBERT U will take one last shot at glory before riding off into the sunset. The territory's number one shooter has oiled his gun, religiously practised for hours at the Tsutsuga Village and is now ready for what could probably be his final appearance for Hong Kong at a major international event. At 49, U is the oldest competitor in the Hong Kong contingent - the grand-daddy of them all. He was representing the territory even before 13-year-old swimmer Heidi Wong Hoi-tik could toddle, let alone swim. 'I think that there is one person older than me, my manager,' laughed Gilbert. 'But I don't know whether there are any other athletes older than me.' Talking of athletes, one thinks of women and men in the prime of life with strong supple limbs, exuding physical power and svelte grace. It is strange to equate U in that category. The bespectacled shooter, however, possesses an attribute which possibly most of his younger colleagues might wish they had - steely nerves, a pre-requisite for any shooter. Experience and maturity probably comes as one get's older. 'I have been around for a long time,' concedes U. 'This is why I don't feel any pressure. I want to do well, but I'm very relaxed.' Hopefully, that will be a good sign for Hong Kong's medal hopes in shooting which begins today at the Tsutsuga range. U will be the sole member of the four-strong Hong Kong team - the others are Mickey Sheng Shu-ming, Chan Ping-lam and Shek Ping-lim - in action today. He will compete in his pet event, the 50 metres free pistol where competitors aim at a still target. They have 60 shots. The shooting time is also specified. Scores decide the ranking. 'Everything is okay. There have been no problems with my gun and I have prepared well.' Eight years ago, at the Asian Games in Seoul, U won a bronze medal at this same event. Then at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, he did it again. On those two occasions, he scored 552 points (Asian Games) and 549 (Commonwealth Games) out of a possible 600, to hit the bronze medal. It will be much harder this time. 'The Chinese will, as always, be the top contenders. But this time with the Russians around, it will be harder.' Shooters from the former Soviet republics will provide the new twist to the script which in the past has been dominated by the Chinese and Koreans. 'I'm not looking for a medal anyway. I don't want to think about it as that would just add pressure. What I want to do is to try and achieve a personal high. I will be happy if I do that,' said U. Apart from the 50 metres Free Pistol, he will also take part in the 25 metres Standard Pistol (next Wednesday), the 25 metres Centre Fire Pistol (next Friday) and the 10 metres Air Pistol (next Saturday). But as for medal purposes, Hong Kong will be hoping that U hits the right nerve today.
