NSWIS sharp shooter and Olympic bronze medallist Warren Potent has announced his retirement following an eighth place finish at the ISSF World Cup in Bologna, Italy over the weekend.

 

The current 50-metre rifle world champion will end his time as an athlete after taking up the sport at 16-years of age in 1978. He rocketed to the top of the sport to compete at his first national championships in 1980, before winning the 50m prone teams event at the 1986 world championships in East Germany.

 

Missing his first attempt at the Australian Olympic team in 1988, Potent took a seven-year break from the sport before finally making his debut at the Sydney Games, just down the road from where he grew up. He finished 19th on debut, and backed that up with a 42nd in Athens four years later.

 

At his third Olympics in Beijing, Potent stepped up to the plate to deliver a bronze medal in a breakout performance, 30-years after he took up the sport. An individual world championship victory followed in 2014.

 

With his final competition now over, Potent said he it was bittersweet to be leaving the sport, but was proud of what he had achieved.

 

“I actually feel a little sad, as I have a lot of friends in the sport I will not be seeing again for a long time, or at all,” Potent lamented to Shooting Australia.

 

“I will miss the competition and the pressure of competing. But my wife and I are looking forward to spending a lot more time together.

 

“I don’t think the sport has changed my life at all, but it has given me a better understanding of different cultures.

 

“The things that stand out are winning my first World Cup, winning an Olympic Bronze medal for Australia, and winning my individual World Championship.”

 

Results aside, Potent reflected on some of the more unusual moments from his career, before paying tribute to the people he has met and those who have supported him throughout his journey.

 

“Dislocating my right shoulder while competing in the Granada World Cup in 2013 would be the strangest thing that has happened while competing,” he exclaimed.

 

“The World Cup Final in Bangkok in 2007 is the most memorable event for me… as it was there that I met the woman who would become my wife.

 

“I’m grateful to the people who have supported me.

 

“My home club Legion Target Rifle, Target Rifle Australia, Shooting Australia, Ken Asquith – who has looked after me for many years – and Miro Sipec and Petr Kurka, who have looked after me during international competitions. And of course Cummins South Pacific who have graciously given me a lot of time off work while pursuing my international sporting career.”

 

Described by commentators as an inspiration to young shooters, Potent said his immediate future would be some downtime, but admitted he would like to give back to the sport.

 

“I’m going to go fishing,” Potent said of his immediate future.

 

“I haven’t had the chance in over 15 years.

 

“I would like to still be involved in the sport somehow, maybe coaching, mentoring or managing a team.”

 

The NSWIS wishes Potent the best for the future following his competitive career.

Recommended Articles