Uncertainty may continue to surround this year's Tokyo Olympics, but Cessnock shooter Dan Repacholi has earned a fifth Games ticket after rallying late at Saturday's qualifier in Sydney.
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Having already represented Australia at the Olympics in 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016, Repacholi filled the single quota spot available for the men's 10 metre air pistol in 2020 with success at the fourth and final nomination event.
His performance, holding off nearest rival Bailey Groves despite a self-confessed "horrendous" start, comes as Games officials debate whether or not go ahead on July 24 amid the global coronavirus pandemic.
Repacholi said COVID-19 concerns wouldn't drastically alter his preparations over the next few months.
Live and breaking news updates: The coronavirus crisis in Newcastle and the Hunter
"So pretty much it's just the same as usual, except there's not as much overseas travel," the Cessnock Pistol Club member told Shooting Australia after securing the victory.
"I'll still be training and training and training. I'll be working on my mental capability ... between now and the Games. I'll deal with whatever comes up along the way."
If the Games proceed as scheduled, Repacholi would join an elite group of an Australian athletes to make five Olympic appearances like Andrew Gaze, Natalie Cook, Simon Fairweather, Shane Kelly and Mary Hanna but leave him one behind fellow shooters Michael Diamond and Russell Mark.
He looked destined to miss out, sitting last after the opening 10 shots and Bailey leading, and felt "very relieved" to mount that comeback under pressure.
"I started horrendously. The first 10 shots were terrible," Repacholi said.
"Honestly I was more worried about what the other guys were doing and not about what I was doing.
"After 10 shots I drew the focus back to one shot at a time and then slowly crept up the leaderboard from there."
Shooting Australia are due to officially announce their Olympic team for Tokyo on March 31.
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