Aiming for Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Step 1: National Team

My name is Dennis from Singapore. I am currently a Mechanical Engineering undergraduate at Nanyang Technological University and soon embarking on my final semester of study.

More importantly, I am a sport shooter, currently training and competing actively in the 10m Air Rifle Men’s event. I have been in this sport for about 14 odd years now, since my secondary school years.

Last year (2016), I represented the Singapore Universities community at the ASEAN University Games. While my performance was nowhere near medal pocketing, it did offer me an opportunity of revival. Admittedly, I failed. Terribly. Overwhelmed in bitter agony and tears for weeks. But it also gave me courage to stand up to failure thereafter, rebuking that I am no longer its prisoner. That my fear of God is greater than my fear of man. Having forcibly fallen to ground zero by my past choices and the surrounding circumstances, I had to prudently re-assess my goal(s) and my approach.

Moving past such a bitter ordeal, I've set my sights on the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics. It is indeed a huge leap, considering I have yet to have my fair share of international competitive experiences and am still striving to meet the performance standards to get into the national team. But nothing about this goal/journey spells easy. If it is, then where can God’s glory be placed? One thing certain which I have come to acknowledge: There is no way I can do this by own strength. This is something bigger than myself and the only way I am going to get there is through the various forms of support from the community and the uplifting hand from God above.

Of course, the very first step in this whole journey is to get into the national team. That is my goal by this year end.

But there is more to my plan ahead.

In July (in a few days time, in fact), I will be heading over to Germany for a 9-day training camp offered and organised by the one of the leading Olympic coaches (Mr. Heinz Reinkemeier and his team) who have trained several Olympic champions. This opportunity came as a surprise, as my initial intention in registering my interest was only to find out what it entails. So when I decided to take up offer, I knew inside, somehow, I need to be there. But I also knew, after tabulating the costs, it would put me at a very risky financial position, exhausting almost all of my savings. And I am just pinning my hopes that God will provide, somehow.

Also, due to the asymmetric nature of the sport I have engaged in over the past many years, I undertook a long-term chiropractic treatment a few weeks ago (early June) to readjust and realign my skeletal structure to counter the severe imbalance, which I was only recently made aware of with an X-ray examination. (Done at Pinnacle Chiropractic Singapore)

I also have plans to purchase additional performance analysis equipment to drill down on my performance on more holistic perspective. These equipment will include:

• A shot trace device (SCATT system)
• 5-channel Electroencephalography (EEG) device (from EMOTIV)
• Heart Rate Monitor for monitoring Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

While I am thankful and blessed knowing that my parents can provide some support, I do not want to put on an additional financial burden on them in pursuing this Olympic journey, especially since they will be retiring by the end of this year.

To me, both as a person and a sportsman, sporting values influence my actions considerably and I want to be as transparent and accountable as possible here, in initiating this crowdfunding campaign.

The budget for the above-mentioned activities/plans are:

• Training Camp ($7500)
• Chiropractic Treatment ($3640)
• Additional Equipment ($4000)

I believe that as an athlete, one must also be responsible to invest and commit to your own goals, which is why the fund amount is only about 80% of the entire sum.

I will do my best to post monthly updates with regards to the spending and my performance.

In addition, I would like to send each of you a personalised message of appreciation (apart from the automatic one), should you be willing to leave your contact details for me to get back to you.

I am also opened to the opportunity, should you wish to contact me to understand my situation better in person (Possible for locally in Singapore only at the moment). Please reply to the email address specified in the automated "Thank You" mail.

To my brothers & sisters in Christ:

I believe there is more to this journey than simply me pursuing it alongside God, for His glory. More rather, I am deeply encouraged that if there are fellow mates out there who are voyaging towards the Olympics in His name, I ask and hope that we may come together in this pursuit of excellence, to encourage and edify one another, to keep each other accountable, and to grow in Christ as we walk this remaining intense 1000+ days.

“For where two or three gather in My name, there I am with them.”- Matthew 18:20