A young clay target shooter has the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in his sights after taking home team gold at an international competition last month.
Plumpton teen Thomas Armstrong, 16, was victorious in the Australian junior team at the World Down The Line Championships in Ireland, alongside compatriots from Hay in New South Wales and Terang in Victoria.
Thomas, who only took up the sport on New Year’s Day 2015, competed against shooters many years older than him.
In Ireland over seven days of practice and intense competition, Thomas also finished seventh individually, competing against 50 shooters from 13 different countries.
The Staughton College student missed out on the junior final by just a few points, returning an overall score of 733 out of a possible 750.
His personal score, combined with that of his two teammates’, sealed the gold medal in the Under 21 division. Thomas said the Ireland experience was one he’d never forget.
“It was a really good experience,” he said.
“I learnt a lot, especially dealing with all the people who came along to watch, dealing with nerves.
“The weather was pretty good too, about the same as back here in winter.”
His father was equally chuffed.
“It’s pretty amazing at the young age of 16,” John said.
Thomas, the youngest member of the junior team, turned 16 just before he left for Ireland, and aims to maintain his eagle eye by competing at club shoots, state carnivals and national competitions. The biggest events on the horizon remain the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast and the DTL championships in Wagga Wagga in 2018.
