NSW Short Distance Championships: State’s best blitz field, now targeting higher honours

A five-year old national archery record went under the hammer at Sydney Olympic Park on a day where another defied the odds to be crowned NSW Short Distance Champion.

ASNSW Short Distance Championship, 2023

Kim Lavender has blitzed the field on the opening day of the ASNSW Short Distance Championships at Sydney Olympic Park, equalling a five-year old national record to claim the State Open Female Recurve crown.

In a stunning exhibition of consistency, the Australian World Championship rep posted a score of 849 points, 44 clear of 2008 Beijing Olympian Lexie Feeney, who finished in second place.

Equipped with Olympic style recurve bows – with non magnified sights and stabilisers – the states top 13 female and 15 male archers took aim at targets from 60m, before completing another two rounds at 50m and 40m.

In the men’s, Warringah’s Kane Wilson completed a miraculous return after a three-year absence from the sport, shooting a personal best score of 857 to be crowned men’s champion.

(L-R) Kim Lavender and Kane Wilson, Open Female and Male Recurve champions, ASNSW Short Distance Archery Championship, at Sydney Olympic Park, 27 May, 2023. Picture: VT Nguyen (Sydney Olympic Park Archery)

For Lavender, who matched dual Olympian Deonne Bridger’s 2018 record, the event was perfect preparation for next month’s Asia Cup in Singapore.

“I‘ve been training consistently for the last few months so I feel like this is a good launching point, and equalling the national record is very good,” said Lavender.

“The conditions were mostly perfect and I shot a PB at another distance last weekend, but you just never know what happens on the day,” she said. “Anyone else can pop off and shoot really well too, so it's kind of just being able to maintain that consistency and keeping your head together for the whole show.”

After shooting to a massive lead and with the NSW title in the bag, the 28-year-old only had one thing on her mind in the closing stages.

“At that point I was more going for the national record than actually trying to beat anyone else,” said a relieved Lavender.

After a long hiatus, Wilson couldn’t hide his delight but felt something had been brewing since his return to the range 11 months ago.

“It’s pretty phenomenal. I’ve been shooting pretty well recently and bumping up the national ranking ladder, so yeah, I thought I stood a good chance,” said the former Australian World Cup rep.

“I got off to a rocky start but fortunately when you’re on the backfoot it just gives you something to push off from because there’s nothing to lose,” said Wilson.

Kane Wilson (maroon) in action during his Open Male Recurve victory. Picture: VT Nguyen (Sydney Olympic Park Archery)

Now with form and confidence, the northern beaches 25-year-old is one to keep an eye on.

“There‘s another state event or two in the coming months and then the nationals,” he said. “The national championships is in September and that leads into the Olympic trials in January.”

The action continues at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday with junior and senior competition rounding out the final day of the championships.

Full competition results here, DAY 1 and DAY2.

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