Congratulations to Bloxham Sixth Former Josh on being crowned World Field Target Junior Champion!
Bloxham Lower Sixth Former Josh competed at the Field Target Championships in Lisbon earlier this month, overcoming stiff competition to become the Junior champion!
The World FT (Field Target) Federation held their 26th Championships in Lisbon, Portugal, from 16th to 20th August. Shooters from across the globe were submitted by their RGB’s (Regional Governing Bodies), with participants from 30 countries, totalling 320 competitors across the Junior and Senior competitions. Josh was delighted to have been selected as part of the England Junior squad (as well as being a reserve for the Senior team).
The first day comprised registrations, equipment reviews and practice sessions, and was rounded off with a welcome dinner to formally open the event. The competition began on Thursday 18th, with three days of competitive shooting over three separate courses, each taking five hours in heat, humidity and tricky winds. After the second day’s event, Josh found himself tied for first place with an Estonian shooter, who was competing in her third World Championships as a Junior (having previously taken third and second place). The final day of competition was a real nail-biter for Josh and his supporters, with both shooters digging deep and shooting brilliantly in very testing conditions. Eventually, Josh was able to take two more targets than Kristen, achieving a thoroughly deserved first place finish. The evening’s closing ceremony saw medals, flags and anthems, and celebrations were made all the sweeter by England taking Team first and Wales the overall first place for Senior shooter. Oh, and that day was also Josh’s 16th birthday! It was a tough, tough week but one to remember forever.
Big congratulations to Josh from the whole Bloxham School community on his fantastic achievement and we’re looking forward to seeing the medal on his return to school in September!