BENDIGO teenager Oliver Boucher has proven himself as a star on the rise after impressing at the recent New Zealand National Clay Target Championships.
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Not only did 13-year-old Oliver end the event with two national triples titles, but he also became the youngest Australian shooter to earn coveted Hall of Fame points.
Oliver won both the C grade and junior titles at the national championships held at Hamilton, and also came second overall in the open event among a field of 380 shooters.
Having shot a perfect 75 out of 75 to take out the C grade and junior national titles, it earned Oliver a berth in the shoot-off to determine the open winner.
Oliver – a Year 8 student at Girton Grammar – was one of six and the only Australian to qualify for the open shoot-off in which he finished second, two points behind the winner.
However, by finishing second overall in the open event Oliver has earned 10 points towards the Australian Clay Target Association Hall of Fame.
Oliver is the youngest shooter to now have Australian Hall of Fame points.
What makes Oliver’s achievement in New Zealand all the more impressive is the fact the national championships were just his second competition after only taking up clay target shooting a year ago.
“It’s a big thing to achieve what Oliver has over in New Zealand,” his father, Terry Boucher, said.
“To win two national titles, come second overall in the open and achieve Hall of Fame points is fantastic for him, especially being so young.
It’s a big thing to achieve what Oliver has over in New Zealand
- Terry Boucher
“If he continues to work hard and stick at it, hopefully, there’s a really good career ahead of him.”
Oliver is a member of the Bendigo Clay Target Club where he is following in the footsteps of Terry, who is a long-time shooter and five-time national champion.