SHOOTING: Six-time Olympian Russell Mark OAM (Hoppers Crossing, VIC) has announced the end of an outstanding shooting career, choosing to retire after his Double Trap event at the 51st ISSF World Championship in Granada, Spain.
Mark made up his mind to end his professional shooting career on a high by finishing at the pinnacle international event for shooting.
“I wanted to be realistic, and retire on my own terms, as I don’t think I have it in me to win another medal at the Olympic Games,” Russell said to Shooting Australia.
“As a competitor, my time has come to retire. It is now time for the younger generation to shine.”
Encapsulating the career and highlights of an individual that has had such an impact on one sport is difficult.
Shooting Australia High Performance Manager Tim Mahon had this to say: “Russell has enjoyed an exceptional career and has set the path for the rest of the Australian team members. He has demonstrated how success can be achieved.”
Few would know what it takes to achieve exceptional performance as Russell has, with a stellar career that has included two Olympic medals, two World Championship titles, five World Cup titles, a World Cup Final title, two World Team Championship titles, a Commonwealth Games title, ten Oceania Championship titles, and 34 Australian National Open titles.
Russell is undoubtedly one of the greatest shooters Australia has produced, comfortably placed within the upper echelons of the sport.
In his final event he was only a few shots off the pace finishing 24th in Granada.
Shooting Australia
