The 70-year-old from Sydney kept pace with his far more seasoned rivals and was looking forward to sitting down with them for a casual chat over a post-match cup of coffee.

Hjorth had never even picked up a bow this time last year and effectively took up the ancient sport to ensure his other half didn't give it up.

"I got involved through my partner Margaret Nelson, who is a world champ," he explained.

"She wanted to give it up if I wasn't interested and I said 'No way', and now here I am competing at the World Masters Games.'

"I've been doing it for about 12 months and this is my first competition in the field.

"It's always competitive when it's serious competition, but it's a good mob to go around with and we all compete in the right spirit."

The athletes had been competing at Mt Keira since Sunday.

A Games official on duty yesterday said the oldest archery competitor was in his 80s.

One of Hjorth's playing partners, fellow Sydneysider Terry Hellyer, said he was a little disappointed archery didn't attract more overseas competitors to the Games.

"It's a pity there's not more internationals here, but I guess with the economic circumstances there's not as many here with the dollar exchange," the 67-year-old said.

"There's not too many Americans, not the ones I expected. It would've been great to be shooting against the ones I idolised in my 30s.

"I'm not complaining. This is my first Masters Games and it's been a great experience.

"It is competitive. There's quite a few of us that would be just trying to shoot for something a bit better than normal, and if you're somewhere near the top, it would be great to be able to take a place."

Hellyer praised the Illawarra Archery Club's challenging course, which features a series of targets ranging in distance from 10m to 60m.

"Thirty years ago I shot down here when the club started," he said.

"I've shot around here about three times and it's a great course and great club. They have a terrific social atmosphere."

IAC president Len Harrison said his club had never hosted an event as prestigious as the World Masters Games.