With the disappointment that Jamaica may be unable to match their athletics medal haul of two years ago at Daegu World Championships, currently under way in South Korea, Orville Henriques, a current world-rated Master shooter, who is preparing to contest the Ipsc World Shoot XVI tournament in Rhodes, Greece next month, believes a lot of tough but positive messages can be learnt.

"When the Championship started many thought that even in some events we would finish 1-2 or even 3, but it just goes to show that things will not always go as planned," Henriques said.

lack of fulfilment

Henriques believes that certain realities have accounted for the nation's lack of fulfilment as it relates to the overall medal count and quality.

"People out there are constantly trying to improve, to come at you, and when they put in that hard work you cannot simply say they can't win or don't belong on the podium because they may be from this country or that country ," Henriques said, indicating that he is of the belief that athletes either underestimated the competition or failed to prepare properly for the Championship.

It is clear though that the experience resonates with him and what he will take from it.

"Based on some of the reports, conditions there are tough on the ground, in terms of managing the culture, food etc, but it still rests on the individual to prepare to be tough and improve and keep an eye on the competition."

"Nothing is a given," he said.

"And what that tells me is that I must train hard and never lose focus."

Next month, Henriques will join two other Jamaican shooters - Grand Master Lesgar Murdoc and Anthony Johnson as part of the country's team to the World Shoot tournament.

Key to his preparation has been his participation in overseas championships against top-rated shooters who will likely be part of the field in Rhodes. Earlier this month, Henriques showed his level of readiness when he traveled to the US and contested the Tennessee State championships. In one of his best showings at a major tournament, he topped the Master class category while finishing third overall, losing out to two grand marshals including World Shoot favourite Manny Bragg.