9 /
Double-Alpha Zone
/ April 2011
Tori Nonaka - A Rising Star
- Eli Huttner, Double-Alpha Academy
What was your classmates' first reaction when
you told them you are a top junior shooter?
My classmates think shooting is awesome and very dif-
ferent from the usual sports they are so accustom to.
Most of them have seen my videos and seem inter-
ested in it.
Shooting isn't cheap, how to you manage as a
student?
I have been blessed with very supportive parents who
have made many sacrifices to allow me to reach for my
dreams. Through shooting I have also been very fortu-
nate to have great sponsors, they have treated me well
to say the least. Thank you All!!
Tell us about your recollection of your first match.
My first match was a local USPSA match. The first stage
wasn't an easy one either. I remember it very clearly,
still three years later. There was four shooting posi-
tions, at each was four targets marked Ace of hearts,
clubs, diamonds, or spades. The shooter started sitting
down facing a table with four playing cards face down
on the table. At the buzzer you were instructed to flip
over one card. Then engage the other three suits op-
posite of the card flipped over. After I shot that match
I couldn't think of doing anything else.
Name three most impressive people you met in
the sport and explain why?
It is difficult to choose from such a long list of top
shooters in the sport but I would say the three most
impressive people I have meet would be Dave Sevigny,
Todd Jerrett, and Travis Tomasie. Dave, because in a
very short amount of time after he started competing
he became a dominant national champion. Todd, be-
cause his amount of knowledge of all things shooting
is immense. Travis, because although he is one of the
best shooters he is still the most grounded and humble
person I know.
What are your short term and long term goals?
Competitively my goal is to become the dominate
force in the women's divisions. My long term goals
in shooting is to become an ambassador of the sport
and be an inspiration for the junior shooters and
women like myself. Some of my goals in life are to
finish school and college successfully while balanc-
ing competition.
How does it feel to be selected for the woman
National Team for the World Shoot?
Being selected for the women's team that will rep-
resent the US in Greece for the world shoot is truly
a dream come true. I am very honored to be chosen
and grateful for this opportunity. I wish everyone could
have made the team. But there are a limited amount
of slots on a team and they are reserved for those who
are selected by USPSA based on specific criteria.
How do you prepare for the WS? Are you stressed?
The world shoot will be a blast with lots of fun. As I will
be taking it very seriously and giving it my all I try not
to get wrapped up in all the "stress". It makes for a
better performance.
T
Ori Nonaka is one of the more promising junior
shooters in the USA. Albeit so young, Tori has already
set some ambitious goals which I am sure she will
reach at some point with hard work and dedication. I
caught up with Tori for an interview.
How old are you Tori?
I just had my sweet 16 birthday!! I am in my 10th
grade of high school.
When did you get into IPSC/USPSA shooting?
When I turned 12 my father and I went to a local
USPSA match and I've been hooked ever since.
How did you parents react when you first started
shooting? Where they supportive?
When I first started my father was very supportive
and we really enjoined shooting together. Although
my mother was against it at first. I had chosen to stop
playing soccer which disappointed her because she
knew I used to love it. Eventually, over time she saw
my passion for shooting and became very supportive
and she even travels with me to matches to watch me
compete now.