Nelligen resident Ison, 14, won seven gold and two bronze at the state event, which was held at the Batemans Bay SSAA range.

Incredibly, Ison won four of his medals while competing in the open men’s age division.

Asked how his older rivals reacted when they were beaten by a 14-year-old, Ison laughed before replying: “They weren’t too happy, but they don’t mind. I think they’re used to it by now.”

Over the weekend, the Batemans Bay High student came first in the air rifle, heavy rimfire, heavy centrefire, hunter rimfire and hunter centrefire in the under 15s age group, before backing that up to win both the open AA grade heavy rimfire and open B grade hunter rimfire matches.

His bronze medals came in the open A grade air rifle and open A grade open heavy centrefire matches.

“It was great to come away with so many medals but I was a bit surprised,” Ison said.

“It’s definitely harder to compete in the opens – I was very nervous.”

Ison’s medal haul completed what has been an exciting year. Late last month, he concluded his South East Regional Academy of Sport scholarship with a presentation hosted by mayor Lindsay Brown.

“It was a great experience to meet the mayor and to be able to have a talk with him,” he said.

Ison will now have to wait more than two months until his next major shooting tournament – the Australia Day shoot in Canberra.

“I’ll be hoping to get a few more medals there,” he said.

“But I’ve just got to keep training between now and then.”