In 2002 Russell Simmonds was looking to improve his vision so that he could achieve his ambition to be British Marksman Champion. After visiting Accuvision Laser Eye Clinic in Fulham, London he was able to begin his journey to success.

Russell had Accuwave™ Wavefront laser eye surgery that left him with better than 20:20 vision. The investment Russell made in laser eye surgery seven years ago has meant that he has been able to develop his shooting skills in order to become one of the best in the world at target shooting.

In November 2008 Russell became F class British champion and European champion, but it is still gaining the chance to represent Great Britain that has really excited him.

He said: “In November I became British champion and in the process of achieving that I also won the European match.”

“F class shooting is a relatively new discipline and was started in Canada about 10 years ago, which is where the World championships were first held in 2001. Four years later it was held in South Africa and this year it is coming to Bisley, England.”

Russell added, “Due to my performances last year I can now represent team GB at the World Championships in July and I will start training with them in March.”

The gun Russell uses has a fixed weight of 8.25kg and this has to include the scope and bi-pod that it rests on. All shooting is carried out over three distances; 800, 900 and 1,000 yards with the marksman placed in the ‘prone’ position.

The competition that Russell won started way back in April 2008 and concluded in November. It required a sustained elite performance over those months to secure the title. As keen eyesight is critical for these types of events where targets are being shot at from 1,000 yards away, Russell is emphatic that the renewed eyesight he was given by the team at Accuvision laser eye

clinic has played a major part in his continual progress and ultimate success.

To clinch the British title, Russell had to win the European championships, held at Bisley.

“The weather was appalling at the European Championships, with rain and very strong winds. If I had had to cope with rain on my glasses or blurring my contacts I am sure I would not have performed as well.”

“For a target shooter, wind is the hardest thing to deal with and it was a very intense competition over two days. I went into the final stage in second place and had a really good shoot and came out winning the competition with my main rival finishing seventh.”

Congratulations to Russell for such a fantastic achievement and to the Accuvision laser eye surgery team who have helped to make his success possible.