Bellbird’s Blake Blackburn feels like a different shooter as he begins the next competition cycle towards Gold Coast and Tokyo.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
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.
