By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published December 2, 2013 One of America’s great leaders, Franklin D. Roosevelt, once said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” This mantra is etched into American hearts and American history. But, what is our obsession...
Shooting
Vera Koo: How to Become a Champion Shooter
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published October 22, 2013 There is no real formula for becoming a champion. What works for me is focus and a single mindedness that sometimes causes people to think I am aloof. I am hard on myself and do not want to fail. Becoming a...
Vera Koo: Bianchi Cup Competition Gear
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published March 28, 2016 The Bianchi Cup, a shooting competition which occurs near Columbia, Mo., each May, is not only a contest of skill, but also is an equipment race. Every competitor tries to have the latest technology –...
Vera Koo: A Champion’s Mindset to the Shooting Sports
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published November 6, 2013 What does the world think a shooter looks like? Perhaps a middle-aged male, wearing camouflage or blaze orange, speaking with an accent, and driving a truck. Is that a stereotype? Is that our stereotype?...
Vera Koo: Why You Must Exercise if You Want to Shoot
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published April 29, 2016 I think of our bodies as our vehicles that allow us to travel through life. If you want your vehicle to perform, you must keep it fueled and give it the necessary maintenance. The same is true with our...
Why You Should Compete at State and Regional Shooting Tournaments
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published September 30, 2015 Competing at the Bianchi Cup is not for the meek and faint hearted. The national event can be very intimidating because of the high number of participants, plus the spectators. The energy is high-powered....
Retro WON: Get Out There and Compete in Regional and State Matches
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published August 24, 2017 Kevin Angstadt offered me some sound advice several years ago during a time when my Bianchi Cup performance had taken a step back. He told me I should consider competing in more regional and state matches to...
Vera Koo: Is the End of a Shooting Career in Her Sights?
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published December 16, 2015 Vera Koo describes why she is looking at the end of her shooting career, and reflects on her decision. Some of my shooting friends like to remind me that I have been two years away from retirement for the...
Vera Koo: Why I am Retiring from Shooting Sports
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published July 3, 2018 I was precise in everything I did throughout my sport shooting career. I was precise in the way I practiced. I was precise in the way I ate in the weeks leading up to a match. I was precise in the way I...
Vera Koo’s First Column in a Six-Part Series Inspired by the Writings in her Memoir
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published February 7, 2017 Some people only find enjoyment in hobbies they can share with others, but I have never found this to be the case with shooting. Since I began sport shooting in my 40s, I have found it to be a rewarding...
Staving Off Physical and Mental Deterioration with a New Sport
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published January 28, 2020 After I turned 70 and later retired from competitive shooting, I knew I needed to find ways to keep my body in shape and my mind sharp. I cannot ignore the facts. I am getting old. I have turned 73 last...
In Search of the Perfect Athlete, a Dressage Horse
By Vera Koo, Women's Outdoor News, Published October 21, 2019 He wanted to find a perfect athlete who demonstrated focus. One who maintained their body and avoided injury. One who had the mental makeup to not only handle thousands of hours of practice, but also the...