Dowling stars at Sydney Royal Easter show
Southland’s Robert Dowling was in impressive form at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.
He defended the single-handed sawing world title he won last year, before teaming up with Brad Tuner to take out the double saw title as well.
Then he partnered with Jinaya Shadlow to successfully take out the Jack and Jill crown for the sixth successive time, giving him the treble of titles.
His efforts at the just completed show, along with winning the inaugural Jason Wynyard Memorial Trophy for recording the fastest time in the Single Buck event in Palmerston North in March, have helped ease what’s been a difficult 12-month period for him.
Dowling suffered significant burns to his legs last May and he’s been battling chronic bronchitis since August last year, making competing difficult at times.
“Winning in Sydney is always a highlight of any season or career as it is known as the Wimbledon of woodchopping.”
Dowling then assisted Shadlow to titles in the women’s single saw and show championship. In the women’s 300mm single-handed sawing show championship she cut the record from 19.60 down to 17.50.
The women’s 325mm single-handed sawing world title was a new event this year and she won it, so set the world record for that too.
“I am absolutely rapt with how the show went as defending and winning any title takes a lot of work,” he said.
The double saw title stirred special memories for Dowling, as it was in that event with good friend Jason Wynyard, who died last year, that he won his first world title in 2010.
Since commencing his chopping career as an 8-year-old, Dowling has competed all around the world and 26 years later, he’s still loving the sport.
“There’s a few options for me to compete overseas, but I am going to focus on the domestic events for the rest of the year to hopefully allow my chronic bronchitis to settle down.
“The next major show will be the EKKA Royal Show in Brisbane in August, where I have two Australian titles and a show title to defend.”
Sawing was where Dowling’s success came, but he also competed in the wood chopping with limited success.
“The Sydney Royal Show goes for about 12 days. I prioritised my sawing over chopping to make sure I was in top form for the NZ Timbersports in mid-March and these world titles, and I am rapt with how I performed in both.
“I’ve had to be a bit more of a specialist lately with managing an illness.”
Earlier this year, Dowling competed on the New Year circuit throughout Otago and Southland.