Australia has always punched above its weight in the sporting arena. This nation of just less than 23 million citizens- most of whom are sports mad- has produced champion after champion across the sporting landscape, and the sport of shooting is no exception.

Following an almost century-long wait between Olympic gold medals, Michael Diamond’s golden feat at the Atlanta Games in 1996 began a steady flow of medals for Australia that stretched until 2008.

After Diamond fell agonisingly short of the medals in London, the road back to the medal dais begins next week at the 2013 Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF).

The AYOF is a proven testing ground for producing future Olympic Champions such as Anna Meares and Sally Pearson.

In 2013 another young Queenslander is looking to begin her journey to Olympic glory in Sydney-Tamsyn Henry.

The 19-year-old rifle shooter will compete at her first AYOF against some of the top guns in the sport from the likes of China, Great Britain, Japan and New Zealand.

“I am definitely excited to have the opportunity to compete at the AYOF,” Henry said.

“The Rio Games are my long term goal so the Festival will be a great chance to gain some more international experience.

“It will definitely be an advantage competing on home soil at a familiar range. I am confident I can go well.”

Despite having represented her nation at the 2009 Arafura Games and the 2011 Oceania Championships, Henry admits that it was not until midway through 2012 that she began to knuckle down in the sport she loved.

“I began training every second day and I do physical activity at least five-to-six days a week. The cardio and core exercises are definitely helping my shooting,” she said.

Henry’s hard work saw her claim the silver medal in the air rifle at the Junior National Titles in 2012 and eventually gain selection to compete at the AYOF.

With the glint of the five rings in her eyes, this teenager has a secret weapon in her corner to keep her motivated.

“I followed my uncle Morgan (Henry) into the sport. He was set to compete at the 2004 Athens Games before getting injured at the test event.

“He is definitely an inspiration and a big help. It is great to have someone always there that you can talk to in regards to the sport,” Henry admitted.

Ensuring she keeps an eye on her future as well as the target, Henry is about to begin her third year studying a Bachelor of Education and a Bachelor of Human Services at Griffith University as she balances her shooting and tertiary ambitions.

“The university has been great and realises the commitments of students competing in high level sport. I haven’t found it too hard to balance both despite having to take a bit of time off for the Uni Games.”

The Australian Youth Olympic Festival runs from January 16-20 and will utilise many of the Sydney 2000 Olympic venues. The Festival features 1700 athletes from 30 countries competing in 16 sports and is a free event.

Matthew Bartolo
AOC