A farmer who was first in the world to win 100 blade-shearing finals isn't ready to stop competing just yet.
Blades team winners Allan Oldfield, centre, watching Tony Dobbs shearing. Photo: Shearing Sports NZ
Tony Dobbs from Fairlie won his 100th title at the Waimate Shears Spring Championships last year and considered retiring after being diagnosed with cancer.
This year's Waimate Shears starts today with some of the country's top shearers and wool handlers going head to head.
Dobbs was set down to judge the competition so thought he might as well compete too.
"I just thought I'd give it another go, I wouldn't mind going to the world championships in Scotland in 2023 so it will be good to see how I'm fronting with the rest of the guys, if I'm towards the end of the pack I'll do a bit more training for the qualifiers next year.
"I wouldn't say I'm in good condition, but will see I go because it's been about 12 months since I've shorn a sheep."
Dobbs said he hasn't done much to prepare for this years event, "yeah nothing, I actually shore eight sheep at the neighbours place the other day but that's all I've done because it's a busy time of the year."
After being in and out of hospital over the last 12 months getting cancer treatment, Dobbs said competing again is a good distraction from his health issues.
"I've got some more treatment coming up in six or seven weeks time so I didn't think I would actually be up for competing but I'm feeling ok this week.
"The shearing is something to look forward to to help take your mind off it, because you're just focusing on one thing and forget about everything else that's going on."
It gives you a big buzz putting your skills up against others and it's just so fast paced, Dobbs said.
Dobbs first competed at the Waimate event in 1979 - and has won it 13 times.
