GEORGE READY FOR AFRICAN CHALLENGE

George is in South Africa this week to compete in the Pan-African Championship.

The tournament, held at Hippo Creek in Johannesburg, is the first leg of the World Cup and the first major tournament of the year for George after a winter spent on the game shoot.

However, the dramatic change in disciplines will pose no problems, he explains.

"The two are completely separate. Once I finish one I completely switch off from it and concentrate fully on the other.

"That's the only way to be. And it actually works quite nicely because by this time of the season we're tired, we've had enough of game shooting.

"It's been a long season and we're flat out. It's been a great season, but I'm now ready for a rest. Unfortunately it's still pressure, but now the clay season starts and I'm eager and hungry to come into that."

Not only does the Pan-African mark the start of George's 2010 season, it's also the start of his fourth decade of shooting.

He's been competing since the 1980s and his vast experience has given him a laid back approach to the sport that means even when the pressure is on he remains calm.

"I used to get nervous before tournaments, but I'm a bit old in the tooth for that now," he says.

"I've become very much matter of fact, in as much as I go out and do my best and I can't do any more.

"Years ago, I used to think you could force the issue, but you can't. The older you get, the wiser you get, the more you realise that. So now I go out and try to enjoy it as much as I can, still remain focused and do the best I can."

The Pan-African will bring together some of the world's best shooters, and George believes this may be one of the most competitive tournaments ever.

When asked who could be challenging him for top honours, GD replied: "Like anything, it's who's on form on the day - or rather on the four days.

"There's a lot of good shooters going over there from all over the world - it's a World Cup event. The person who wins it will be the person who can stay in form for the four days.

"And nowadays, whereas years ago there used to be four or five people who could win the shoot, now there's 40 or 50."

The Pan-African Championship takes place at Hippo Creek, Johannesburg, from Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st February.