Athenian born Liz Hole is not your average athlete. Nor is she your average person. Having been born in Athens, her mother was part of the resistance against the Nazis, she has lived in England and now calls Sydney home, and has become a staple of the winner’s podium for archery, including winning four individual Gold and a Team Gold at the National Archery Championship in Morwell Victoria earlier this month. The previous month in October, at the Australian Masters Games in Adelaide Liz picked up six Gold medals and one Silver.
Billy Cotsis spoke to Liz recently about her achievements and life.
Let’s start with an easy one for you Liz, how did you become a world champion?
Last year (2018) World Archery our governing body based in Switzerland decided it was time to recognise the Master age group shooters. The inaugural World Archery Masters Championships in Lausanne was created. There were three disciplines – Target, Indoor Target and Field. This was a fantastic opportunity for all Archers from around the world to participant. I was one of the first of over 460+ athletes to enter and they came from every part of the world. My speciality is Field shooting and I managed to beat Canada and the USA to claim the Gold. On the way to Gold I won Silver in the other disciplines.
Have you always been an archer? Is it true you wanted to become an archer after watching Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves or was your husband, a marksman in the marines, your influence?
I have always loved Robin Hood from child and watching Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves just added to the dream – it was my husband that encouraged me to shoot and bought my first bow. He has a huge influence on my shooting ability.
I bumped into you recently at Georgia’s Koutouki, and you had along with you six gold medals from a meet in Adelaide. And you won a silver too. How are you able to maintain the type of accuracy and consistency that you display?
Interesting question – Practice, Practice Practice, concentration (Not my forte) and karma! Let me start with the Karma and the Silver medal which meant the most to me – yes, I know this sounds strange but the 2 archers either side of me were having issues to the point where one archer accidently stopped me shooting. So, I decided I needed to assist them at my expense. When you stop to help other athletes, it affects your concentration especially in sports like Archery or Gun shooting. I helped them both and it was great to see them start to shoot well and climb up the rankings on the day. I believe what you give out comes back 10 fold and helped me to win the Indoor Target Gold from last place and also several other gold medals in disciplines I had never shot before.
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You were born in Athens. When did you leave and where did you grow up?
I left when I was about two and grew up in Aden, Yemen, going back to Athens to see my Family from time to time. My Uncle Panos Constantiniou was Mayor of Illiopolis which meant we spent a lot of time there. When I was 13 years old we went to England to live and unfortunately my mum passed away (then).
Your mother was part of the Greek resistance against the Nazi occupiers of Greece. That was a tough era for all Greek people. Tell us about your mother and her role as part of the Greek resistance.
Big question and long story but in short – She was an amazing woman and had no fear. Her job was to get information out of the Germans which she did extremely well. She was a renowned dancer and performed all over Europe. She was given a certificate and medal from King George for her work. My mum and dad met in Greece during the war (but that is another story lol)
What brought you to Sydney?
My Sister – She got the Big C (Ed cancer) so we thought best come and support her and that was 22 year ago. She is all good now, thankfully.
You are competing in a world championship in January at Liverpool, Sydney. Tell us about that and your expectations?
The world’s best Indoor Target archers will be in competition, it is an open event but I hope to put on a good show and progress into the last 32, and anything can happen from there.
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You have not been able to gain your Greek citizenship. What is the impediment for a Greek woman to gain her citizenship?
Simple you need to know before your mother dies that you need a copy of her birth certificate and not to find out 50 year later! I was born in Athens that’s what my birth certificate says – how difficult can it be! Sorry for the sarcasm.
Would you ever represent Greece?
Yes of course, it would be an honour and privilege.