Mathew Masonwells
Australian recurve archer and Commonwealth Games gold medalist.
Mathew Masonwells (born 26 June 1986) is an Australian archer who competed in recurve events. He represented Australia at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, winning a gold medal in the men's team event, and was named to the Australian archery shadow Olympic team for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Quick Facts
- Header Color
- yellow
- Nationality
- Australian
- Birth Date
- 26 June 1986
- Birth Place
- Alexandra Hills, Queensland
- Country
- Australia
- Sport
- Archery
- Event
- Men's recurve
- Medal Templates
- Archery · Commonwealth Games / 2010 Delhi · Men's Team
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Masonwells began archery at age thirteen after his father made him a timber bow for a medieval fair; he continued using it at his grandparents' farm. He listens to the Australian band Hilltop Hoods between shooting rounds. In 2002, he competed for Australia at the World Junior Championships in the cadet male recurve event. In October 2009, he finished third at the Australian Open in Melbourne, where Simon Fairweather of the Australian Institute of Sport scouted him and offered a part-time scholarship, which became full-time in March 2010. At the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Masonwells won gold in the men's recurve team event with a score of 219, defeating Malaysia (score 212), who were ranked third in the world. He also competed in the individual event, reaching the quarter-finals against Indian Rahul Banerjee. He was coached by Simon Fairweather at those Games. In September 2011, he was named to the Australian archery shadow Olympic team and attended national team training camps in Canberra in September 2011 and March 2012. At the 2012 National Target Archery Championships, he finished fifth as a member of SQAS. In March 2012, he finished fifth at the Olympic Games Nomination Shoot with a score of 2571. In May 2012, he participated in a training camp in Buderim, invited because Sky Kim had other commitments. As of May 2012, he had not qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics; qualification required success at the World Cup event in Ogden, Utah.
Reader's Guide
Mathew Masonwells' career illustrates the pathway for Australian recurve archers through the Australian Institute of Sport system. His gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the men's team event—defeating a Malaysian team ranked third in the world—stands as his most notable achievement. The victory highlighted Australia's strength in team recurve archery at the time. His progression from a part-time AIS scholarship in 2009 to a full-time scholarship in 2010, and his selection to the shadow Olympic team for 2012, reflect the structured development programs available to Australian archers. His participation in multiple national team training camps and the nomination shoot demonstrates the competitive selection process for Olympic representation. Though he did not secure a place on the 2012 Olympic team by May 2012, his career remains a documented example of an archer who moved from Queensland to the Australian Capital Territory to pursue the sport, supported by family and coaching from Olympic gold medalist Simon Fairweather.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mathew Masonwells?
Mathew Masonwells is an Australian recurve archer born on 26 June 1986 in Alexandra Hills, Queensland. He is best known for his team gold at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
What medal did Mathew Masonwells win at the 2010 Commonwealth Games?
He claimed gold in the men's recurve team event, with his squad recording a combined score of 219 points.
Where does Mathew Masonwells live?
Although he was born in Alexandra Hills, Queensland, he currently calls the Australian Capital Territory his home base.
Was Mathew Masonwells part of Australia's 2012 Olympic archery squad?
He was named to the Australian archery shadow Olympic team for the 2012 Summer Games in London, serving as a backup rather than a confirmed starter.
When did Mathew Masonwells start archery?
He picked up a bow at the age of 13, giving him a long runway before his senior competitive career took off.
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