Winner: Kiara Dean was judged the 2022 Echuca Moama Sportstar Awards senior award winner, pictured here with Col Pearse. Photos: Steve Huntley
Photo by
Steve Huntley
Clay target shooting prodigy Kiara Dean was crowned the 2022 Echuca-Moama senior Sportstar at local sport’s night of nights.
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Dean, a winner of the junior award in 2018, excelled on the world stage four years later, culminating in a junior world championship victory in Croatia in September last year.
Dean was involved in a thrilling final against competitor Ting Han, the 21-year-old holding her nerve to be the last shooter standing, bringing home a maiden gold medal.
Accepting her accolade on Monday night at the Moama Bowling Club, Dean recounted the experience.
Family: 2022 Echuca Moama Sportstar Awards senior winner Kiara Dean (right) is joined by mum Kerrie and dad Nick.
Photo by
Steve Huntley
“The world championships were something that I had looked forward to forever,” Dean said.
“Since I was young it was something I dreamed of, something I never expected to do so young.
“The amount of work that goes into it is huge. The girls that have competed at these events have trained their whole lives.
“You go in nervous as hell but you just have to trust that the work you’ve put in prior will help you.”
At the junior world cup in Germany in May 2022, Dean was also a silver medallist in the junior women’s trap before going on to claim bronze in the team trap with Australia.
She was recognised for her substantial achievements with Shooting Australia’s junior athlete of the year award in December, reaffirming her status as one of the country’s finest talents.
On the mark: Kiara Dean reloads during competition.
Photo by
Steve Huntley
Dean thanked her family and sponsors for their ongoing support.
“Mum and Dad have been there since the very start,” she said.
“They’re the reason I started this.
“It’s something you don’t make money doing, it’s a very expensive sport and it’s something you work and do at the same time.
“All of our shooters have full-time jobs and it’s something they have to do as a pastime.
“You do have to live and breathe it and it's something you have to work hard for.
“Moama Florist is a big sponsor, they’ve helped me out with a few overseas trips, and Shooting Australia gives us the opportunities we need.”
From Echuca Clay Target Club to the world stage, Dean moves on to the next stage of her career as one of Australia’s brightest shooting prospects and looks poised to be a constant feature of Sportstar for years to come.
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