HUNDREDS of competitors from across 16 nations marched onto Robertson Oval on Sunday as part of the World Field Archery Championships opening ceremony.
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Archers from places as far as Brazil and Hungary have travelled halfway around the world to take their part in the prestigious event.
The championships will take place at Wagga’s Wokolena Range from Monday to Friday, with Sunday’s ceremony getting things officially underway.
Connecticut’s Fred Meeker, an archer of 30 years, is one of a 24-strong United States’ team that travelled 26 hours before arriving in Wagga on Thursday.
While the US team was quick to point out their ambition of being ‘number one’, their highlight of Wagga so far proved a little different.
“The best thing about the course was all the kangaroos there,” Meeker said.
The kangaroos aside, the Americans’ first impression of Wagga was a good one.
“I like it, it’s nice,” Meeker said.
“It’s a little wet, I’m not used to it.”
The Australian team, with by far the biggest representation, marched out to the chants of ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi oi.
International Field Archery Association vice president Steve Kendrick officially opened the proceedings.
“I believe it’s probably the best turnout Australia, this region, have ever had to one of our tournaments,” he said.
“Well done to Wagga Wagga and to the Australian Bowhunting Association for making it such an attractive venue and a great place for us all to be.”
