By Oliver Lees
While many teenagers choose to unwind by playing video games or watching television, Hugo Lobb admits he feels most at ease with a bow and arrow in hand.
“I just love that feeling of calm,” Lobb said.
“It’s all about control and being precise with your movements, it’s similar to martial arts in that way. The process is really similar. When it’s working well, it seems really easy and natural, sort of like you’re in the zone.”
Finding that zone has proven to be fruitful for Lobb.
The 17-year-old currently holds four world archery records in indoor and outdoor events. At his international debut at the 2020 World Archery Indoor Series, Lobb finished top 10 at events held in Rome and Las Vegas, before returning to Australian soil and claiming gold.
At each of these events he was competing against adult archers — two age groups above his own.
Earlier this month Lobb collected the ‘Nicely played’ accolade at the 2021 Youth Awards organised by Macedon Ranges council for his exceptional work with the bow.
Growing up in Riddells Creek, Lobb explored the option of playing team sports like most kids his age.
“I tried cricket and some other things and enjoyed them, but it didn’t really click,” he said.
Although only eight-years-old at the time, Lobb said he already felt ready to commit himself to some sort of craft, it was just a matter of finding one that fit.
“I think that was sort of why I didn’t really gel with team sports. I was there for the sport, not for hanging around and socialising,” he said.
“Mum hunted down Bacchus Marsh Bowmen in South Gisborne, and I just really enjoyed it.”
“There wasn’t really a huge amount of young people, mainly a lot of older people, but actually that’s been really good. I feel like I have a lot of mentors and people I admire, so I’ve actually been able to learn from that.”
Competitive archery falls under two branches, with different dimensions to both forms of competition.
Archery Australia regulates the predominant world archery circuit featured at the Olympic Games. Whereas the Australian Bowhunters Association (ABA) refers to barebow archery, using just the bow and arrow without a sight or stabilising equipment.
Both domains of archery feature indoor and outdoor events, but the ABA also features field archery, which Lobb confessed is his favourite category.
“There’s a bit of walking around somewhere like a golf course, and there’s all different targets and distances,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s through bushland and up and down hills.
“It really allows for good competition and some close scores. And because it’s a bit more challenging it’s even more rewardable when you hit the target.”
Lobb said competing at the World Archery Indoor Series opened his eyes to where the sport could take him.
Not only did he experience the popularity of the sport in Europe, but also managed to hold his own against seasoned experts.
For now the teenager will shift his focus to qualifying for the World Field Archery Championships next year, but he also admits he has another goal he hopes to achieve in the longer
“Obviously the Olympics would be an absolute dream,” Lobb said.
“This coming Olympics in 2024 might be a bit too soon to really be viable. So I think for now my main focus will be getting my name out before 2028.”
