Thomas Armstrong will enter this year’s Junior World Universal Trench championships with a better idea of what to expect and with raised expectations.
Last year, he shocked himself and those at the championships by taking home the title.
He has again qualified for the Australian team and will head over to Hungary in July.
“Last year I didn’t know what to expect and I thought I’d try my best and maybe make the final,” he said.
“This year I have something to aim for. I didn’t set any goals last year, but this year I will.
“First is to the final and then maybe shoot a specific score.”
The Plumpton teenager sealed his spot on the Australian team in early April by claiming the junior 2018 national universal trench title. It’s his first national title in that discipline.
“I did it back to front,” he said. “Winning at the junior worlds and then the national title.
“I was very nervous about the nationals this year and getting Australian team selection.
“I was happy with my performance, I was first in the juniors and third overall.”
For half an hour, Armstrong held the Australian overall score record after shooting 196 out of 200.
The total was then beaten, but he is still the equal Australian junior record holder.
He said he would have loved to have the open age record, but was thrilled to have the junior one.
Armstrong has had a big few months, also claiming gold with the Australian Junior team at the DTL championships.
After Hungary, Armstrong plans on changing his discipline with a big focus on the future.
“The next goal is the Olympics and Commonwealth Games,” he said.
“Olympic discipline shooting is a bit different and I need to keep getting better.
“Over the next four to five months I’ll change over and put all the eggs in one basket.”
