In top tournaments, this American shoots in both pistol and rifle

If his mugshot on international shooting federation's webpage, in which he is sporting a French beard and long locks, does not set him apart, Nick Mowrer's ability to shoot in World Cups with both pistol and rifle surely does.

Describing this quirky American as one quintessential one-of-a-kind could be a modest attempt to do justice to his uniqueness, which is making a mockery of the sport's conventions, tournament after tournament.

Unusual as it may sound but Mowrer, a World Cup bronze medallist in rifle 3 positions, also shoots 50m free pistol and 10m air pistol, not only in same national level tournaments, but also in the international arena.

While the world's best spend years honing their skills in one specific event, Mowrer feels "doing both" come easy to him.

"I don't know if there are any differences, they are all basically the same, I play the same shot, same strategy, everything... two rifles and pistol," Mowrer told PTI.

In the capital to compete in the ISSF World Cup, the 30-year-old is also an Olympian, having finished 15th in the men's 50m pistol event of the 2012 London Games.

"As it turned out, this is the first World Cup where I was able to shoot in-competition in rifle and also in pistol," the pistol-cum-rifle shooter said.

"But I have shot MQS (Minimum Qualification Score) in free pistol and (rifle) prone at the same World Cup on the same day multiple times. In Munich last year, I was in MQS in 3 P and in competition in air pistol. I got the bronze medal in prone and I also shot free pistol.

"That day they had elimination in prone, I shot MQS free pistol that morning, shot elimination prone in afternoon and the morning, and I have shot my qualification match for prone, then the final and got a bronze."
So how did it all begin?
"In the United States we have other shooting disciplines other than Olympics, and I have competed in those NRA highpower rifle and NRA bulls eye pistol."
"My family hunted and shot recreationally for fun but not in competition. I am a machinist, a welder by trade."
"I am very rebellious and I don't listen to anyone, including my coaches. I have no time for it."