Master Warrant Officer PM Dias-Lobo from Fort iKapa Military base in Goodwood has been selected for the Protea Shooters team.
Pedro Dias-Lobo (53) joined the military in 1988 and after his conscription concluded in 1994, he decided to join as a volunteer and continue his career in the SA Army.
According to Dias-Lobo, having shooting as a sport to keep current in his musketry skills, one also aspires to reach the highest level of accomplishment to cement your skills and knowledge. This in turn ensures your students have confidence in your knowledge and guidance when you train them.
Shooting in the SA National Combat Rifle competition (8-12 August), MWO Dias-Lobo managed to finish third overall.
This enabled him to be selected for the SA National side and to earn his Protea colours.
The announcement was done at the function concluding the competition.
Dias-Lobo then competed against the Netherlands on 13 August and the SA National team won gold.
First in feels unreal
“It is difficult to describe how I feel, at first it is unreal and I am still trying to get to grips with the fact that I made it. Then the unreal feeling that you are in the SA national team, competing against the Netherlands on a much higher level,” Dias-Lobo said.
“I trained myself and all the WP combat club shooters (military and various government departments) in all aspects of musketry as well as in the competition exercises (competition exercises are real combat simulated, aligned to international standards).” According to Dias-Lobo, this takes lots of commitment, dedication and hard work.
Things took a turn
However, MWO Dias-Lobo’s experience in getting selected took a turn during the week of selection as he was experiencing immense pain in his neck and left shoulder just before the competition. He was diagnosed with arthritis in the neck which caused a pinched nerve affecting his left shoulder and arm. “I continued in the competition despite the pain and discomfort. During the competition on a rundown exercise, I also pulled a groin muscle. I was determined not to give up.” The MWO says when victory is close you don’t give up. And he was not going to be the one to give up.
Dias-Lobo managed to stay in third position despite all his challenges and was fortunate enough to be selected in the end.
Thanks, Fort iKapa
“I thank Fort iKapa for allowing me the opportunity to train everyone including myself and in the process give us all the ability to attain the highest accomplishments we could ever wish for.
“I can only express my heartfelt thanks to the Officer Commanding Fort iKapa Military Base, Col Clifford Peter and Lt Colonel Uys van der Westhuijzen for giving me this opportunity to reach my dream.”
According to Sgt Riaan Baartman, all members at FiMB are extremely proud of MWO Dias-Lobo as this serves as an inspiration to all members to always aspire to do more, to be more. We honour the warrior spirit displayed by Dias-Lobo and wish him the best in his endeavours and to remain steadfast in making all of us !Khamoada (warriors) proud.
