Chair for a champion

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33447, 31 January 1974, Page 7

Chair for a champion

(By

R. L. SCHUMACHER)

Perspiring and tired, but proud and triumphant, the 47-year-old Napier apiarist, Maurie Gordon, was chaired and cheered off the West Melton range yesterday after winning New Zealand’s first gold medal in shooting at a Commonwealth Games. Gordon, with rifle aloft, could not suppress a grin as his beaten rivals hoisted the ceremonial chair on their shoulders and, to the sound of bagpipes, carried him more than 100 yards to the headquarters.

TENSE COMPETITION His success was achieved In the “blue riband” event of shooting, the 7.62 fullbore rifle, and it followed three days of hard and tense competition. “Delighted, really delighted,” Gordon said, of his win. With at least five shooters still holding excellent medal prospects before the final 15 shots over the longest range, 1000 yards, the pressure was bn Gordon, who led by a point at that stage. But that kind of challenge is one which brings out the best in the experienced Okawa club marksman. And he was still that very narrow — but very decisive — margin ahead at the finish. VITAL POINT Gordon may see some wry humour in the fact that one point was also the deciding factor in his gaining selection in the New Zealand team. At the final national trial, he was tied for second on aggregate with the Malvern farmer. Sandy Marshall, and they had to shoot off. Gordon was successful by a point. New Zealand has a high reputation in fullbore shooting and Gordon has made a significant contribution to the Dominion’s proud international record, both as a competitor and as a coach to many national teams. SIXTH IN 1966 He first represented New Zealand in 1953, the year he won the long-range Bisley aggregate. He has taken the coveted Ballinger Belt three times at the national championships and scarcely a provincial title has escaped his grasp. Last year he finished second in the national title and won the Wellington belt. He also competed in the fullbore event at the 1966

Commonwealth Games in Kingston (Jamaica), finishing sixth. Gordon’s improvement throughout the event was remarkable. He was seventeenth after the short-range events on the first day, but forced himself back into calculations with a fine performance over three middle ranges on Tuesday. This left him seventh and only four points behind the leader. As expected, the 900 yards yesterday quickly sorted out the field. Gordon, who has porbably fired more shells than he has bees in his 900 hives, shot brilliantly and scored 73 out of a possible 75 to reach the lead. It was a superlative effort, as the wind did its best to upset the shooters. Sometimes it blew from different directions at the same time, then dropped away, and just as unexpectedly returned.

GAINED ADVANTAGE Gordon said that he was sure the extremely difficult winds had enabled him to overtake the six British shooters who were ahead of him overnight. “It was tricky, probably harder than during any day of practice,” he added. “At the 900-yard range, the wind swung right round and was never steady. But I am used to that, especially at Trentham.”