Bhutanese para shooter Kinley Dem is gearing up for another international challenge as she prepares to compete in the R2 Women’s 10-metre Air Rifle event at the Asian Para Games in Japan tomorrow. With months of intensive training behind her, the 31-year-old athlete is determined to surpass her previous performance and make a stronger mark on the continental stage.
Hailing from Wangdue Phodrang, Kinley will be making her third appearance at the competition, bringing with her years of international experience and renewed confidence in her abilities.
Since November last year, she has followed a rigorous training schedule at the Changlimithang Indoor Shooting Complex in Thimphu, spending more than six hours each day refining her shooting skills. Her preparations have centred on improving precision, maintaining consistency and developing the mental resilience required to compete against Asia’s top para shooters.
Having represented Bhutan in approximately eight international competitions since joining the Bhutan Shooting Federation in 2018, Kinley believes her experience and preparations have put her in a better position than during the 2023 Games.
While winning a medal remains an aspiration, she is approaching the competition with realistic expectations, recognising that performance on the day can be influenced by several factors.
“Compared to the 2023 Asian Para Games, I hope to perform better this time. Training has been going well, and I have improved a lot. When we go to the Games, all of us hope to win medals. However, things do not always go as expected, and luck on the day also plays a role. I hope to do better than before,” Kinley said.
Her coach, Dawa Lham, is equally encouraged by the progress she has made. With significant improvements in her shooting technique, the final phase of preparation has shifted towards strengthening her psychological readiness.
In a sport where even the slightest movement or lapse in concentration can affect the outcome, maintaining composure is as important as technical proficiency. A stable shooting position, controlled breathing and the ability to remain focused under competitive pressure are among the essential skills Kinley has been working to perfect.
“I do not see a need for major technical changes because her technique has improved a lot. Our main focus now is psychology. Since athletes from different countries are competing, and all of them are among the best, our athletes can face mental pressure. So, I am focusing on psychological preparation in training,” Dawa Lham said.
Kinley will face a competitive field in the qualification round, where she will compete against 20 other para shooters representing 11 Asian countries.
As she prepares to step onto the shooting range, the Bhutanese athlete will be looking to translate nearly a year of dedicated preparation into an improved performance, with hopes of taking another step forward in her international sporting career.
