World champs in sights after Te Puke glory

TROPHY HAUL: Gisborne Rifle Club members plundered the silverware at the Te Puke club’s championships. Displaying their haul are (from left) Rob Johansen, son Michael Johansen and Steve Mann.Picture supplied

THREE Gisborne Rifle Club shooters, including a father/son combination, cleaned up at the Te Puke championships.

Rob Johansen, his 14-year-old son Michael and Steve Mann returned with a swag of trophies.

Rob, shooting in the target rifle class won the Te Puke Shield, the 300 Yards Cup and A Grade Champions Cup.

Campion College student Michael was the best of the free target rifle division shooters, winning the Bay of Plenty Shield and Te Puke Cup.

Mann, a former top archery competitor, added the Bay of Plenty and Te Puke trophies in the F class.

The Johansens went into the champs having competed in the Metropolitan Districts Rifle Association (MDRA) and Queensland Queen’s Prize state championships in Brisbane in August.

Michael upstaged his dad.

“I didn’t shoot very well all week, finishing 18th overall, but Michael was fourth in the Duncan and Queen’s and took the overall honours in the MDRA F standard B grade,” said Rob, 52.

“I think my off-season shooting helped me prepare for the Te Puke champ,” Rob said. “I had a good chat with Steve, whose archery experience helped.

“Even though he shot arrows and I shoot bullets, the sighting systems on a bow and my rifle are similar, and he gave me some valuable tips on sighting.

“Not having done so well in Brisbane meant I didn’t put too much pressure on myself going to Te Puke.

“I took the attitude that if I prepared well and shot well what would be would be — just fight for every point available — and it paid off.

“It’s the attitude I’m taking into the next shoot, the Long Range World Champs at Trentham in January.

“It will be the fifth time I’ve competed at these champs, which are over 15 days, with my best placing being 35th.

“We are on the range from 8am until 5pm every day except for the day the junior shooters are competing.

“It’s mentally and physically exhausting. It’s hard not to let your mind wander, especially towards the end of the day.

“Michael will be there as a target puller (the guy in the range pit who pulls down and puts up the targets).”

Rob said Mann showed great consistency all weekend to win his class by three points.

“It was a close competition and the experience of his archery showed through. He was calm under pressure and applied considerable pressure to a senior shooter in the final to increase his winning margin.

“Steve’s thinking of competing in Wellington in November and December for the Wellington Spring Champs and NRA 1000 yards champs.

“I will be in Wellington in November but not competing. I’m attending a training camp with the New Zealand team for the world champs.”

Gisborne Rifle Club members Shane Kapene and Paul Neilson also shot at Te Puke.

Kapene shot on both days while Neilson competed on the second day.