Archer Tayla King makes mark in international tournament
A hobby has turned into a potential Olympic pathway for this Mt Druitt athlete.
Local Sport
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Tayla King never really had any intention of being an archer.
She siad she might never have even tried it if her father and brother had not dragged her to a venue in Sydney’s west to test it out one day.
Now the Mount Druitt athlete is eyeing off a potential spot at the Tokyo Olympics
“I’ve been doing it since 2011 but it really just started as a hobby after my dad and brother dragged my sister and I along to a try it session,” King said.
“I had a try and quite enjoyed it and when I started to get OK the coach said I should enter competitions.
“It really just grew from there.’’
King said while competing at the Rio Olympics in 2016 was not on her radar, she had her sights firmly on a tilt for the Tokyo Olympics.
“I’m serious about Tokyo,’’ King said.
“There’s an Oceania qualifier in April and we still have to qualify (Australia) a spot but it’s a goal of mine.’’
King must amass a score of 620 to just be in the running for Tokyo selection.
“My highest is 632 but the time period (for Olympic qualification) was reset after this,’’ she said.
“But I’m confident I can get the 620. I still have plenty for time.’’
Ranked among Australia’s top women archers, King recently podiumed at a major international event.
“It’s been a major boost for my confidence,’’ King said of finishing second at the Asia Cup 2 in Chinese Taipei with teammate Belinda Maxworthy and Alice Ingley.
Making the gold medal match against Japan is the highest result ever by an Australian female recurve team.
“It does show we can perform under pressure,’’ King said.