As the countdown to the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games begins, we catch up with Johnathan Wong to discuss his journey to the most celebrated sports arena on the planet.

"You don't know how good you are until you actually get out on a bike and get riding," says a quote by Laura Trott, which encapsulates the journey of national shooter Guanjie Johnathan Wong in the sports industry. Unveiling his talent through a sports development program by the National Sports Council, the 32-year-old athlete from Melaka who also holds a first-class honours degree in Aerospace Engineering has realised his potential to compete among the world&rsquo;s elite. Armed with experience from Rio 2016 and with unwavering dedication, Johnathan is poised to make a significant impact at the Paris 2024 Olympics in the men&rsquo;s 10 m air pistol event to bring glory to Malaysia. 
Before achieving your current status in the sports industry, did you ever envision yourself reaching this point? I've always dreamt of competing in the Olympics since joining the national team, but achieving this goal has proven more challenging than I anticipated. Shooting isn't widely embraced in Malaysia and the strict firearm regulations add to the difficulty. Fortunately, with the support of the National Sports Council of Malaysia, my dream has become possible. Being the first Malaysian shooter to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics, how did that accomplishment feel? Qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympics felt incredible like a dream come true. It was also a powerful reminder that dreams can become reality with enough effort and dedication.

Trousers UNIQLO Vest STYLIST'S OWN Necklace JOHNATHAN WONG'S OWN

Now competing in your second Olympics, how does your training differ from your preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympics? During the Rio 2016 Olympics, I wasn't fully prepared; it was more about pursuing the dream of just being there. So, when I qualified again in 2019, I realised I needed a comprehensive approach to preparation. This time, we aimed to cover all aspects, from qualifying for the Olympics to competing in the finals. What is something about the sport of shooting that many people might not know? Many people think that shooting is all about mental toughness, but the truth is, that physical endurance, nutrition and technique are equally important. Success in sports isn't just about physical strength or technical skill; it's also a mental challenge. How do you handle the psychological aspect? The key to mental preparedness is anticipating the worst-case scenarios and planning how to manage them beforehand. By being thoroughly prepared, I was able to maintain calmness during challenging moments.

"Having goals and working hard are crucial, but the key to achieving success lies in planning the route."

In your opinion, what is the most essential quality an athlete should have? Having goals and working hard are crucial, but the key to achieving success lies in planning the route. Athletes must understand what is required of them to reach their goals. Throughout your journey, you've experienced both highs and lows. How do you stay motivated when things don't go your way? Always have someone to support you when you're feeling down, whether it's a family member, friend or coach who understands you and can provide the strength you need to keep pushing forward. While it's important to stay focused on the present, where do you see yourself in the next five years? I've dedicated the past 15 years primarily to sports, but looking ahead to the next five years, I envision developing a career path beyond athletics. I'm passionate about exploring new avenues and achieving new milestones. I aim to further improve my existing skills and acquire new ones as I pursue new opportunities outside of sports.

CREDITS: Photography Cham Zihao Creative Direction &amp; Styling Syazil Abd Rahim Grooming Joey Yap Hair Angeline Low Photography Assitant Saiful Azwan Styling Assistants Amelia Tan &amp; Fekar Khairul

Interview: Johnathan Wong is shooting for the stars

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