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Master
class
Gippsland
archer grabs Games gold
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RAAF
Base East Sale's FLTLT Frank Jones. Photo by CPL Katrina
Johnson.
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RAAF
Base East Sale's Flight Lieutenant Frank Jones was on target at
the recent World Masters Games in Melbourne, putting in some of
his best ever performances with the bow against a handful of the
hottest archers in the world.
FLTLT Jones, an instructor at East Sale's School of Air Traffic
Control, had few expectations going into his first Masters Games,
but walked away with a swag of medals in the Bowhunter Unlimited
class.
Up against world class competitors, he struck gold in the FITA Indoor
category, shooting a personal best score of 57 bullseyes out of
60 shots to leave his rivals in his wake.
He backed up that outstanding performance to claim silver medals
in the FITA Field, FITA Target and IFAA Field categories.
"I honestly didn't think I'd place anywhere. I didn't think
I'd even come close," FLTLT Jones said.
"I didn't go to Melbourne expecting to win, I went for the
experience, camaraderie and to see what other archers in the world
were doing. Winning anything was a bonus."
The World Masters Games attracted thousands of competitors from
more than 90 countries.
The archery competition alone drew more than 370 competitors from
17 nations.
While there were only six competing in the Bowhunter Unlimited class,
FLTLT Jones said shooting against such quality archers over five
solid days was an invaluable learning experience.
"After shooting so many arrows against top competition, my
consistency definitely improved," he said.
FLTLT Jones now has his sights set on the Australian Masters in
Canberra and the World Championships in New Zealand, both of which
are being held next year.
He'd then dearly love to defend his medals at the next World Master
Games, scheduled for Canada in 2005.
In the meantime, he plans to introduce some of his School of Air
Traffic Control students to the sport by taking them to the local
target range at RAAF Base East Sale.
He may even sneak in a few practice sessions himself.
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