Shooters Great Success

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31062, 18 May 1966, Page 15

Shooters Great Success

"TEW men in the long and -T star-studded history of New Zealand shooting have won a national championship at the age of 25. But D. D. Wild, who was selected on Monday to represent New Zealand at the small-bore rifle competition at the Empire Games in Jamaica, accomplished this feat in 1959: so beginning a career which has brought him New Zealand selection five times in the last five years. Wild's rise to promt nance has been unusually rapid. He first fired a rifle in 1952 when completing his compulsory military training at Bumham Camp, and did not join a rifle club until 1957. Two years after joining the Christchurch R.S.A. Club he won the New Zealand indoor A Grade and aggregate championships for small bore rifles. He won the New Zealand outdoor aggregate championship in 1966. was equal first in the Jamaican Empire Games trial, and won the

outdoor aggregate at the trial at Ashburton early in April. Wild has represented New Zealand against Australia in indoor small-bore shootings

twice, in 1964 and 1965. In 1964 he had top score for New Zealand.

In 1963 and 1965 he repre•mted New Zealand in the Dewar Cup outdoor meetings against Australia.

It seems Wild does better at the national and international levels than locally as he has never won a Canterbury championship. His highest place is fourth, attained in 1963. However, he has twice won the Nelson championship, in 1961 and 1963. His shooting is now confined to the small-bore range. He used to shoot with a .303 but now works eveiy Saturday and has sold his rifle.

“I practice four times a week,” he said when asked how he had reached his present standard. “The most essential thing in shooting is a good temperament and good nerves. Good eyes are not as essential.”

Wild Is a Christchurch machine operator.