August 30, 2023
Blackbutt’s champion axeman Mitchell Argent is busy gearing up for the Australian Pro Championship in NSW on September 16.
The Stihl Timbersports Australian Pro Championship will test 12 competitors in six disciplines, three with axes and three with saws.
The Springboard, Underhand Chop and Standing Block Chop are the classic axe disciplines while the Single Buck (single-man crosscut saw), Stock Saw (standard chainsaw) and Hot Saw (tuned, customised chainsaw, up to 80hp) are the saw disciplines.
Mitch, who started chopping wood when he could barely walk, is a multiple Australian champion (2017, 2018 and 2021).
He made the podium in his first appearance in the sport at the 2015 Australian championship and has never looked back.
He currently holds the Australian Record in standing block and has been a vital team member of the Chopperoos, Australia’s international wood chopping team.
He went over to France in April 2018 to represent Australia in the Stihl Timbersports Champions Trophy.
Mitch finished third and set the fastest time in the knockout competition, one of only three people to ever go under a minute for the four disciplines back to back.
The Stihl Timbersports Australian Pro Championship will be held in front of a live crowd at the Breakwater Lighthouse in Wollongong.
Other Queensland athletes taking part will be Brayden Meyer from Kingsthorpe, Jake Dingle from Derri Derra and Jamie Head from Burpengary East.
Twelve axemen will start the day and complete the first three disciplines (Underhand Chop, Stock Saw and Standing Block Chop) with 12 points awarded to the fastest athlete and one
for the slowest.
The top eight athletes will then go on to the next two disciplines: the Single Buck, and the crowd favourite, the Springboard.
Points will now double with 16 going to the fastest athlete, and two to the slowest.
The top six axemen will then shoot it out for triple points in the final event, the Hot Saw.
The axeman with the most points after the six disciplines will be crowned the Pro Australian Champion and earn the honour of representing Australia at the Stihl Timbersports World Championship.
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