3 minute read

Australia's para shooting team are hoping to benefit from familiar surroundings when they start their world championship campaign in Sydney.

Australia plans to capitalise on familiar surroundings when the seventh world para shooting championships get underway at the Sydney International Shooting Centre on Saturday.

"We have the advantage of not having to endure a long-haul flight, compared to our competitors, and our shooters will be much fresher," said Australia shooting high performance manager Kurt Olsen.

"In such a precision sport such as shooting, rest and avoiding jet lag is a distinct advantage.

"Our team has settled in well and the first day of competition is a great opportunity to build momentum."

Olsen said apart from reaching finals and capturing medals, the Australians were aiming to secure places at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games through their world championship performances.

Anton Zappelli and Natalie Smith have already qualified for Japan while fellow mixed 10m air rifle prone competitor Glen McMurtrie and Chris Pitt (25m mixed air pistol) are close to joining the duo.

Pitt was fifth in the 25m mixed air pistol at the World Cup event in the UAE in February while 2016 Rio Paralympian Zappelli won bronze in his specialist event in the Middle East.

Other Australians competing on the opening day are Rohan Daw (25m mixed air pistol) plus the trap shotgun team comprising current world champion Scottie Brydon, Mark Farrow, Duncan Burnett and Matthew Tingate.