Waller handles heat to defend title
TOWNSVILLE archer Gary Waller has overcome the sweltering outback conditions in Alice Springs to defend his title at the International Field Archery Association ( IFAA) National Championships.
Waller also broke two of his own Australian records – which he set at last year’s national championships in Ipswich – as he won the gold in the Veteran Men’s Barebow Recurve division.
The 58- year- old admitted he was off- target on the first day due to a lack of practice, but he finished strongly in what he described as one of the toughest archery disciplines. “I went out there thinking, I’ll be right, but it doesn’t work, you’ve got to do the practice,” Waller said.
“Because I’m shooting recurve at full draw, I’m holding the full draw weight of the bow and I cannot afford to be taking all day to take a shot. It’s probably the most difficult division to shoot.
“It’s one of those things, finding the time to practice. With the heat it’s almost impossible to practice up here because of the heat.
“I hate going out here and shooting arrows at practice, but I love getting out and competing, even if there’s no one else in my division.”
Waller won a world title in his first archery tournament in 2016, having only shot in club activities previously, and he’s hoping to set a few world records before moving up to the open men’s division.
“If I’d shot to my ability out at Alice Springs, I should’ve shot a 528 ( in the animal round). The world record is 534 so I’m very close there,” Waller said.
“The other two ( rounds), I don’t believe I’m too far away, I just need to do the practice.
“I reckon I’ve got the ability to win the open men’s division at the nationals and I believe the world championships.”