Lock, Stock and Barrel

(A couple of trigger-happy competitors)

Olympians Russell Mark and Lt Col Raj Rathore. Photo copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Lt. Col Raj Rathore at Lilydale. Photo copyright: DAVID McMAHON

These two distinguished Olympians would have to be the Odd Couple of international shooting. Like the incomparable Felix Unger and Oscar Madison, each is the complete antithesis of the other. Russell Mark is a knockabout Aussie, while India's Lt Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (``Chilly'' to his mates, because he's so cool under pressure) is a straitlaced, serious sort of bloke.

Between them, they boast three Olympic medals. The Aussie won a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, then a silver at the Sydney Olympics. The Indian army officer, on the other hand, won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Games, the first Indian to win an individual silver medal.

But does Rathore, with his parade-ground grooming, know about the Aussie Salute? No, he confesses. Got him.

Then I give him the simple explanation that the Aussie Salute is simply the act of using one hand to brush the flies away from your face on a hot day.

So, who's the big shot now?

If you'd like to read my full-length feature article on Russell Mark and Raj Rathore, with pictures taken at the Lilydale Gun Club in Melbourne, just click on this link Anglo-Indian Portal