A shout. A clay target flashes into the spring sky. A shot. A brief burst of fragments. The shotgun snaps open, smoke rising upward. Gabija Stanislovaitytė, Project Management Manager at Agrokoncerno Grupė, exhales – the start of the season did not disappoint. In the 100‑target shooting competition she became the women’s champion and also made it into the top ten shooters, finishing ninth overall.
“Strong Gabija,” smiles the competition organizer Virgilijus Grybė, champion of Lithuania, Asia and the world. In this sport, such a compliment for a woman means a lot.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day – a story about a member of the Agrokoncerno Grupė team and her journey in sport.
First Experience – with Bruises
G. Stanislovaitytė is one of the strongest representatives of sport shooting not only in Lithuania but also abroad. Women are still a minority in this sport – not everyone dares to take into their hands a shotgun weighing almost four kilograms.
Gabija was introduced to this sport four years ago by her father. Her first attempt at shooting flying targets brought not only an exciting experience but also bruises left on her body by the shotgun’s recoil.
“After the very first time I realized that this is my sport, my element. Concentration and focus are extremely important here. The hardest part is managing your mind and preparing yourself for the shot. One thought drifting away and that’s it – the cartridge flies past the target,” says the shooter.
She recalls that the first thing was getting used to the sound and recoil. A common mistake beginners make is closing their eyes after the shot, flinching, or holding the shotgun too loosely.
“Although I wear hearing protection during competitions, the constant popping sounds still do their job. Competitions usually take place on weekends, so my colleagues already know that until Wednesday I’m practically deaf,” Gabija laughs.
A shotgun is not a toy. The shooting sports enthusiast owns three firearms in total – two for sport and one for hunting.
Gabija says she is quite successful in duck hunting, perhaps because she is used to shooting moving targets.
“I don’t divide hobbies into male and female ones. I think the most important thing is to find what brings you joy. I’m competitive, I enjoy the adrenaline of competitions and the opportunity to compete with other shooters,” she admits.
The Challenge – Controlling Emotions
Every shooter has their own character. Some react emotionally to failures – angrily throwing away shell casings or letting out a stronger word or two.
Gabija is the opposite – it is difficult to tell from her face whether the shot was successful or not. The athlete says that inside everything is boiling at that moment, but controlling her emotions helps her both concentrate and shoot more accurately.
“At home, when nobody sees, emotions flow freely. I am a perfectionist – the best result for me is when I hit every target. I always strive for the best result because I know I can achieve it. In this sport it is important to trust yourself and work with your mind, and that is not very easy,” she says openly.
Having participated in many competitions, she already knows that the most important thing is to break the first clay target. Although she appears completely calm on the outside, she admits that the nervousness subsides only after the first accurate shot.
“I know that if the first shot is accurate – everything will go well. And if not? Then it can go in many ways,” she smiles.
The shooting competitions Gabija participates in take place in an open shooting range regardless of the weather – rain, snow, or sunshine – the conditions are the same for everyone.
There are many hunters in the shooting community, so athletes are often treated to shared meals – soup cooked over a fire or game stew.
However, Gabija has one important rule. While competing she does not eat anything, because she believes that when the stomach is working, the mind is resting. The only thing she allows herself is a can of sweet carbonated drink.
“When I step into the shooting stand, everything around falls silent. I love this silence, when everything around disappears and only one goal remains – to hit the clay,” she says, places the shotgun on her shoulder and walks out for another round
