Archer Belinda Maxworthy claims two gold medals at Australian Archery Open

Not even the very best athletes are ever done learning and improving on their craft. For Australia’s top ranked female archer Belinda Maxworthy, adaptability was the key to claiming two Australian Archery Open gold medals.

Thornleigh’s Belinda Maxworthy has claimed two gold medals at the 2019 Australian Archery Open.

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Not even the very best athletes are done learning and improving their craft.

But that’s what makes them the very best.

Less than a week before the 2019 Australian Archery Open, Australia’s top-ranked female archer Belinda Maxworthy, of Thornleigh, was tasked with completely changing her shooting technique.

Maxworthy took out the women’s individual and team matchplay events. Picture: Archery Xtra

It was a daunting prospect for the 21-year-old so close to a major competition.

“I was pretty uncertain going in (to the competition),” Maxworthy said.

“The Australian Open was held in Victor Harbour, South Australia, and my coach suspected the conditions would be really windy.

“With the way my technique was, I was drawing the bow quite slowly and the whole shot process was taking too long, which meant the wind would make it much harder to be accurate.

She is now gearing up for the World Championships in June.

“So we did some technique changes so I would be able to shoot quicker and be less affected by the wind.”

The changes ultimately paid off as Maxworthy shot an incredible 644 on the way to claiming gold medals in individual and team match play.

“I shot out of my skin,” she said.

Maxworthy’s attention now turns to the Archery World Cup World Ranking Event in Shanghai in April before the World Championships in Netherlands in June.

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The World Championships will also be Maxworthy’s primary opportunity to qualify for next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games.

“Competing at an Olympics is a huge dream of mine,” she said.

“It would be a massive milestone and definitely the biggest thing in my career so far.

“However, my main focus right now is on taking things one event and one arrow at a time.”

Belinda Maxworthy is currently seeking community support to help her get to the World Championships.

If you would like to make a donation, head to asf.org.au

To keep up with her preparation and training, follow Belinda on Instagram at bezmaxworthy