By Jed Lanyon
Coldstream resident Matt Tingate has returned to Australia with a bronze medal after competing at the World Shooting Para Sport World Cup in Osijek, Croatia.
The World Cup was Mr Tingate’s very first international tour for the sport as a member of the Melbourne Gun Club in Yering.
“It was a bit nerve racking being the first one… But they looked after us here with a lot of practice and coaching so when you get over there it’s not as daunting because you have done a lot of the hard work before you head over there.”
When asked for his reaction to winning the bronze medal, the gun club’s talking parrot Jacko interrupted and chirped, “Nah, not surprised.”
“It was pretty exciting that’s for sure,” Mr Tingate said.
But Melbourne Gun Club President Darryl Johnston said that Matt had been downplaying his achievement.
“He was shooting against blokes who have been shooting in that arena for 10 or 15 years… so for one lone Aussie on his first time out, it’s pretty magnificent.”
“When Matt was picked in the team everyone was really happy. He’s representing himself but also Australia and our club, so we’re really proud of him.”
Mr Johnston said the bronze medal win came with a bit of drama.
“He had gun problems early on in the competition and he overcame them to go on and shoot exceptionally well.”
Mr Tingate’s comb had come loose and he lost the ability to adjust it, leading him to create a new comb from a piece of wood
A comb supports a shooters cheek at a certain height, allowing them to align their eye with the weapon’s sights.
“I whittled it up at the club and got it working. It was a last minute adjustment but it did the job,” Mr Tingate said.
“To shoot is one thing, we all shoot and it’s a bit of fun, but if you want to be in the elite circle, you’ve got to have that next level concentration and that’s the key,” Mr Johnston said.
“Mentally, if you can’t keep it together then things are going to go wrong.
“When Matt’s comb comes loose, most people would bin the event there because that’s too hard.
“But that’s what people who strive to be at the top do, they adapt to it and overcome and it got him there in the end.”
Mr Tingate was a high level motorcycle racer before an accident cut his career short 16 years ago.
He suffered severe nerve damage to his arm and neck as a result and was able to regain movement to his arm after three years of paralysis.
“I got sick of sitting around and needed something to do.”
Mr Tingate said his father suggested he try clay target shooting, while on a trip in New Zealand.
“Then I came down to the local club here and met everyone. Everyone has been really supportive here at Melbourne Gun Club.
“Anyone will come up and help you. It’s like one big family really.”
Mr Tingate won the Duke of Gloucester Cup in November last year.
“I just set my own personal goals. You sort of don’t see it as competition as such, it’s just an enjoyable time and to win an event here and there is just a bonus.
“I like the satisfaction of breaking clays and just the camaraderie, the people and socialising at the club.”
He said he hopes to take part in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, but there is uncertainty around whether there will be enough countries involved in order for the event to be hosted.
