Mackay’s Cooper Whitestyles took the Lawn Bowls Australian Open by storm last week, winning the multi-disability pairs final alongside para-Jackaroo Damien Delgado.
The pair hoisted the trophy on the Gold Coast last Thursday courtesy of a nail-biting one-shot victory over Phillip Mahonney and Clive Williams.
Cooper says he’s still on cloud nine.
“It’s hard to believe,” he said.
Being his first time at the Australian Open, Cooper says it was a nerve-racking experience at first.
“I knew it was going to be big, but I didn’t know it was going to be that big,” he laughed.
“It was definitely a bit overwhelming at the start but once I got settled, I felt right at home.”
The win was made even sweeter by Cooper’s mother and aunty making a surprise trip down to see him play.
“That was a total shock, I had no idea they were going to come down,” Cooper said.
“I had no idea until I turned around and there was my mum and aunty.”
His mother and aunty found out their flight was cancelled at 6:00pm the night before Cooper’s final but that didn’t stop them; they got in the car and made the 13-hour non-stop trip to Broadbeach before turning around and making the trip back after the match.
“Mum said she’d do it all over again just to see me win, so that was pretty special,” Cooper said.
This is the second time Cooper and Damien “Damo” Delgado, of Tweed Heads, have competed together after winning a state title together two years ago.
“We just read each other well and the chemistry’s great,” Mr Whitestyles said.
“I enjoy playing with him, he’s just a good bloke in general.”
Cooper first got involved in lawn bowls through school at Mercy College at 13 years of age.
He currently plays at Souths Suburban Bowls Club in Mackay, which he says prepared him well for the tournament.
“They’re the strongest club in Mackay so there’s always competition and it’s always quality competition,” he said.
Cooper will line up alongside Damo again in August for state titles, vying for selection in the Queensland team and ultimately pushing for a spot in the World Cup taking place in New Zealand next year.
“The harder you work, the luckier you get so I’ve just gotta put my head down and work my butt off,” Cooper said.
Cooper Whitestyles and Damien Delgado are the Australian Open Multi Disciplinary Open Pairs Champions for 2022. Photo supplied: Australian Open
