The 22-year-old clay shooter from Dunedin said the trick was to keep calm, get comfortable and remember his process when competing in tense situations.
At the weekend, the stakes were high in the South Island Clay Target Championships at the Dunedin Clay Target Club.
The down-the-line shooter was taking his shot at a spot on the New Zealand team for next year’s World Clay Target Championship in Christchurch.
While there could be a lot going through his head when he was about to take a shot, he tried his best to shut all the noise out of his mind.
He did not think about the pressure he was under.
When it was time to take a shot, he simply squared up and pulled the trigger.
"I just keep it basic; don’t over-complicate it."
Mr Sim began shooting about eight years ago when a friend introduced him to the sport.
As a 14-year-old he loved taking part in the sport and never looked back.
"I’m fully involved in the sport — it’s my passion," he said.
He began taking part in after-school competitions and was in the adult grade now.
Last year, he represented New Zealand in a competition in England.
As well as a lot of time, Mr Sim has invested a lot of money into the sport.
His Beretta DT11 competition shotgun set him back nearly $20,000.
But it was worth it for him because he was "obsessed".
He said the club offered a great social life and it was a privilege for him to help host the South Island Champs.
Mr Sim also coached his old secondary school Otago Boys’ High School’s clay target shooting club every Wednesday.
