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Australian Under-25 team, Cooper is the 4th from the left. Photo supplied: Rob Wilde
Four years after taking up shooting, Cooper Wilde has helped Australia claim an international trophy and now hopes to represent his country in England.
The 18-year-old Bowen Collinsville Rifle Club shooter was part of the Australian Under-25 team that won the John Fitzgerald Trophy in Brisbane, also claiming top individual honours.
Competitors shot two 10-shot matches at 1,000 yards, with Australia facing teams from Great Britain and New Zealand.
“I hadn’t done that before but I really enjoyed it,” Cooper said.
His Brisbane campaign also delivered 11th in the President’s Match and 15th in the Australian King’s Prize against approximately 200 competitors, where he recorded the highest under-25 score in the King’s Prize.
Cooper credits his dad with introducing him to shooting and experienced club members with helping him improve.
“The club members out there that have been shooting for many years and they’ve been such a big, big help.”
He has been nominated for Australia’s Under-25 team for the 2028 world championships in England, with trials in March.
“That’s the one I really want to go to, so I’ll do what I can to get that opportunity,” Cooper said.
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