– I have learned that shooting means a lot, but there are many things in life that mean a lot more. I have a wart dad in this, says Clausen to news. – That was what made it such a big downturn, it (shooting) meant too much, simply. The shooter has just become the historic Norwegian champion in 50 meters mixed teams. He talks about what it was like not to get the chance to fight for medals at the Olympics in Tokyo last year and the time after. PARIS IN SIGHT: Simon Claussen has the Olympics in Paris in two years as the big goal. Photo: a7III-ENG7 / a7III-ENG7 He himself thinks he was one of the two best Norwegian men’s shooters when the Olympics were to take place in 2020. in May 2021. – We were allowed to travel in doubt. We had three men in the European Championship final, for the second time in history. Henrik Larsen and Jon-Hermann Hegg take gold and silver, and I come in seventh place. And then it becomes crucial, it was actually surreal the whole experience, says Claussen. – How were you? – I coped very badly. It really affected me. It was not a good experience, he says. TWO TO THE OLYMPICS: Simon Claussen won the National Championships last year, but did not make it to the Olympics in Tokyo. Henrik Larsen (on the left) and Jon-Hermann Hegg (on the right) did. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Professional help The shooter tells that the Olympic downturn made him privately what he calls a worse version of himself. – I had to seek professional help to get over the worst problem, he says. Last autumn, he also mentioned that he was studying and had a very welcome break from sports. – It was planned that I would start studying after Tokyo anyway, but it was probably good for both body and soul to have some other focus areas, says Clausen. – Were you a little down in the basement? – I was, you can say that, he says. – What was it like to get over the problem? – It’s much better now. It was a much better feeling for myself and for everyone around me, when I managed to realize that there are many things in life that mean much more. It has yielded results in recent months. First podium In April, Claussen traveled to Rio de Janeiro to participate in a World Cup vote in the Brazilian city. There is even a podium place both individually and in team competitions. – I took my first World Cup medal without having the training basis I usually have. It’s strange how the head comes into play, I never cease to be fascinated by this sport, he says. – How was the feeling when you secured the podium? – It was a bit surreal too. But when I stand there in those pressured situations, I notice that I have gained a little more perspective on things, so when I stand there, it says about a medal and a shot is crucial, I have in the back of my mind that there are other things that mean more than this. – Is there anything you take with you further? – I’m completely forced to do that if I’m going to the top. I have to keep building on that. I estimate that those who are in the top 30 in the world are well enough physically and technically trained to become world champions, but it is the one who is strongest in the head who remains as world champion. BETTING TO PARIS: Simon Kolstad Claussen is starting to find great form after a tough period. Photo: Vegard Haugland Strand / news Twelve-hour forecast Not only was the training basis worse than normal, but Clausen was not very prepared for the trip either. – I had actually made an agreement with the sports manager that I would not do any World Cup this year, since everyone was in the spring. And I had actually gotten approval for that, but then there was an emergency phone call, where he sat on his knees on the phone, at least it sounded like that, and asked me to join, he says. – When the logistics went up with sambuar and in-laws and children and stuff, I got to go, and I do not regret it afterwards. Paris in sight Jenny Stene is a teammate of Clausen both on the national team and in the miniature shooting team Kisen. She has great faith in Clausen until the Olympics in Paris in two years. – He’s got it right inside. That comeback will be good, she says to news. Precisely the Olympics in Paris is the big goal for Clausen. Before that, the World Cup in Cairo in October is a major goal. There they will shoot for quota places for the Olympics in 2024. – The goal there is to do what I am good at. If I manage that, I’m more than good enough for quota space.
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Went to the basement after the Olympic wreck – had to seek professional help
