Eesti
Introduce yourself briefly.
I am happy young man with a positive attitude towards life. I am in a great mood constantly and you could see that from my face. A big part of my time is dedicated to sport but on my free time I like to go to the nature to enjoy some peace and silence. This year I am trying to finish my second year at EBS.
Three facts about you.
I am part of Estonian army’s sports team and I am currently an active servant.
I have graduated from a music school and I played French horn.
The best beginning to my day is waking up with a sunrise.
You started studying in the field of entrepreneurship at Estonian University of Life Sciences – why did you choose to continue your path at EBS?
It’s true. I studied Agricultural entrepreneurship and financial management for a whole year at Tartu. The main reason for leaving was getting too little practice and the big percentage of agriculture. When I first started to think about changing schools I decided that I need to choose the best out of all schools – at that moment I headed to Tallinn, EBS and I have never regretted that choice because I am surrounded by friends and schoolmates of whom most people have great ambitions and something grand to achieve in their lifetime.
You do Skeet Shooting. What does it mean and how did you find your way to it?
Olympic Skeet is more known as Clay pigeon shooting. I shoot flying clay plates. I use a 12 caliber Shotgun and Shotgun shells which are loaded with multiple small spherical projectiles as cartridges.
I discovered shooting at an early stage of my life. My dad was a huntsman and he took me to hunt rabbits in the woods when I was only 3 years old. From there, my interest towards guns rose and at 8 years of age I was old enough to go to a shooting range. I got my first trainer when I was 12 years old and from there on I trained with him for 2-3 times a week for 8 years. My career as an athlete which includes many contests and training camps around the world started in 2017. when I got myself an another trainer.
Tell us a little bit of your plans for future and your achievements so far regarding shooting.
Here are my biggest achievements so far: European Championships 4. place, junior, (2015); Estonian Master in Juniors (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016), Estonian Master (2017), Estonian Cup Winner (2016, 2017), Baltics’ Cup (2018); Tucson, USA World Cup 20. place (2018).
My plan is to fulfill my dreams and grow to be a really great shooter. The path I’ve chosen is not easy. There have been many failures and tears, but I’m not the type of a person to give up easily, so there has been also many medals and joy that help me to get back on my feet again and keep moving forward. My main goal is to reach the top of the world’s leaderboard with my dedication and hard work. In a few years, I see myself winning my first title competition medal and an aim is definitely set on the Paris Olympics in 2024. Today I am definitely learning and getting different experiences but my day will also come, when I can reach my goals in sport.
You have been travelling a lot. Name few of your favourite places in the world. Tell us why these are your favourite.
It’s true, I have spent quite a lot of hours in these years, being on a plane. For now, I have been to 28 different countries and spent around few hundred hours on planes.
I could say, there is no doubt that one of my all time favourite places is Acapulco, Mexico that I visited just this year. Mountains, ocean and 35 degrees – for me there is no superior combo for that kind of nature, climate and people. The second option would be Grand Canyon, USA. It was literally a heart stopping experience. Solely visiting the observation decks gives you this unforgettable feeling that this kind of an huge land gap could even exist let alone be so beautiful and at the same time so mighty. If someone is doubting whether to go there then I really recommend it, and a few bucks for a helicopter flight over the canyon is not a bad idea either.
To bring out my favourite place in Europe, it would definitely be Spain, precisely the East coast, south to Alicantes. Mediterranean sea, climate and uneven landscape – yet again something that I like. Growing up in the center of Estonia with really even landscape and in between a few little lakes, I have realised that the countries I really love are the ones surrounded with a lot of water and have a mountainous landscape. But then again, I have to admit, being on the road so much, away from home, has made me realise that there is no better place than our little Estonia. Coming off the plane, taking the first breath, you could just feel this domestic fresh air and the calm silence here.
What is your motto?
If you want to see results, surround yourself with the specialists in the field. If you want to succeed, be ready to sacrifice. If you want to win, be ready to lose.
Who has been the greatest inspiration to you in your life?
I don’t recall looking up to someone and feeling overly inspired. It’s true, I find many tips and solutions to solve problems, or ideas on how to have a better life, from successful entrepreneurs or sportsmen but I don’t have an idol as such. This might sound weird but I’d rather say, I get the inspiration from myself – from the goals that I’ve reached or my successes. I haven’t done a thing that I could not do. Because I’m a fast learner and usually it takes only a fast demo, then I’m not afraid of new challenges. I like to push myself and test my limits.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
If I had a chance to choose, I’d like to have enhanced senses. Better vision, hearing, reaction etc. I would like to have this superpower because I would sense the surroundings and situations around me better.
Your favourite quote.
“Recognize that the harder you work and the better prepared you are, the more luck you might have.” – Ed Bradley
Translator: Marlen Kuusk
Editor: Liisa-Maria Lillepea
