September 2008 President message
Olympic Games
The shooting events at the Beijing Olympic Games are now complete and while Australia went into the Games with world number-ones in each of the three disciplines - Michael Diamond in shotgun, Lalita Yauhleuskaya in pistol and Warren Potent in rifle - the final results and medal grabs were a little less than expected.
Australia was up against some stiff competition, especially from many of the European countries, China and the US. However, New South Welshman Warren Potent created Olympic history when he claimed Australia’s first ever rifle shooting medal in the 50m Prone Rifle event and the only shooting medal for Australia in this year’s Games. The 46-year-old marksman shot brilliantly in the finals to claim the bronze medal, behind Matthew Emmons from the US and Aryur Ayvazian from Ukraine. Warren, who was the gold favourite heading in to the event, showed amazing calmness in the finals, eventually falling just 1.2 points short of the silver medal.
Former Olympic gold medallists Michael Diamond and Russell Mark were also among Australia’s leading performers. Michael started the Trap qualifications strongly and after a shoot-off with Jospi Glasnovic from Croatia and Karsten Bindrich from Germany progressed to the final. He shot 23 and entered a shoot-off for the bronze medal against Alexev Alipov from Russia. Michael finished the event with an admirable fourth place.
Double Trap shooter and Australian Shooter columnist Russell Mark finished his event in fifth place. Stacy Roiall was probably Australia’s best female shooter, placing 14th in the Trap event.
Even though our shooters did not achieve gold medals, we are sure they have done their very best and they have certainly done our country proud.
At the time of writing, the Modern Pentathlon had not yet been contested. This event, of course, includes a 10m Air Pistol shooting component, as well as Fencing, Swimming, Running and Equestrian. Twenty-year-old Angie Darby is Australia’s only competitor in this event and we will watch with interest to see how she progresses.
Australian Shooter will be featuring a comprehensive wrap-up of Australia’s achievements at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in a future edition.
SSAA National Membership and Merchandise
Lastly, SSAA National is pleased to announce that the new Membership and Merchandise premises is fully functioning. I would like to thank SSAA NSW for their assistance and use of their premises over the years. The SSAA National Firearms Museum continues to be housed at the SSAA NSW office in St Marys. The new Membership and Merchandise office is now located at Glendenning. Contact details are telephone 02 8805 3900 and fax 02 9832 9377.
Bob Green
SSAA National President
Home > Notice board archive > September 2008 President message