Central American and Caribbean Games gold medallist, Roger Daniel is now aiming at more medals at 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India, from October 3 to 14. Daniel won this country's first gold medal at the 21st CAC Games currently taking place in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. He captured the 25-metre standard pistol event with a score of 565 points, beating Venezuelan Franco Di Mauro and Sergio Sanchez of Guatemala. The T&T Defence Force soldier said he was very happy with his performance because he had to balance the demands of his job with preparing for the Games. "It is a great feeling. It is one of the high-points for me because right now I am doing promotional class in my work and I didn't have enough time to train," said Daniel. "So coming and winning is a great achievement."
The gold is the second for Daniel in the event at the quadrennial meet after he was victorious in 2002 Games in San Salvador, El Salvador. He said he was more self-assured this time around. "In 2002 when I won I just started to shot and did not know what to expect. My nerves were getting the better of me then. But now I was much more confident." Daniel is now looking forward to the Commonwealth Games where he is hoping to improve on his bronze medal in Melbourne, Australia four years ago. "I am going to prepare myself mentally and physical to go at it again. I won one in 2006 properly now I could get about three."
The two-time Olympian, who returned from Puerto Rico on Tuesday night, also won a bronze medal in the 50 metres free pistol.
