Craig Henwood is loading both barrels and aiming for gold in Beijing.By Kath Gannaway
COLDSTREAM shooter Craig Henwood will represent Australia in the men’s trap in Beijing in August.
The Shooting Appeals Tribunal dismissed an appeal by former Olympic men’s trap bronze medallist Adam Vella last week ending a tense week for 29-year-old Henwood.
Vella placed third behind Henwood and Olympic gold medallist Michael Diamond for selection in the two-man team.
Henwood told the Mail last week he was confident of his place in the team, but was taking nothing for granted until after the appeal.
Henwood was unavailable when the Mail rang on Friday but his father and coach Jack Henwood said the family was elated.
With the appeal out of the way he said his son could now focus entirely on the job ahead.
“Competing at the Olympic level is the ultimate for any sportsperson and to do it the way Craig has is all the more remarkable,” he said.
“He’s done it the hard way without sponsorship, government funding or the benefit of assistance from organisations such as the Australian Institute of Sport.”
Henwood Snr said while his son has always had the support of the shooting fraternity, particularly the Melbourne Gun Club in Lilydale, where he is a member, his achievements have come through sheer determination and dedication.
Craig Henwood is now set for an intense training regime in the lead-up to the Olympics with a World Cup competition in Beijing next month, another in the USA and a series of training camps.
In terms of coaching, Henwood Snr said his son has the technique and his advice has been largely about perseverance.
“He was good enough … just being positive he could do it, keep going, keep plodding on,” he said.
“That’s what he’s done and he’s pulled it off.”
