Bellbird’s Blake Blackburn feels like a different shooter as he begins the next competition cycle towards Gold Coast and Tokyo.
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The Games debutant finished 36th in the men’s 10 metre air pistol in Rio and now feels more confident ahead of future Olympic and Commonwealth campaigns.
“I learned a lot and feel like a different shooter already,” the 24-year-old said.
“Commonwealth and Olympics were always part of the plan, so I’m not going to say more inspired, but now I’ve had a full cycle I understand a lot more and feel i’ll be more ready [next time].”
He shot a score of 570 on the opening day in Rio and wants to improve on that performance.
“After the match I realised a few things I would have done differently and i’ll put them in place before the next competition,” Blackburn said.
“[It gives me] a couple more years to bring up my scores a little more as well, and do a lot more strength and conditioning, so it’s pretty exciting.”
The barman at Potters Brewery and University of Newcastle student said his maiden Olympic experience evoked a range of emotions.
“I was relieved when it finished because I was pretty stressed and nervous leading up,” Blackburn said.
“I was shooting well but just wasn’t sure what to expect and wasn’t sure how i’d cope, in the end I handled it pretty well.
“My first series was pretty hard and then after that I shot about where I wanted to be shooting.
“It was just a shame I dropped six or so points in the first series, but overall I was happy.
“I’m normally pretty critical of myself but I performed so well after that first series I was honestly pretty wrapped.
“I gave everything I had on the day and in the lead up, knowing I did everything I could have to be prepared.”
The Cessnock Pistol Club member was due to arrive home on Friday.