Rudge targets junior gold rush
A Shropshire archer is preparing for a shot at world title glory after being selected to take part in the World Junior Championships in Mexico. Matthew Rudge, 15, shoots a compound bow and booked his place for October's tournament by winning a qualifying competition at Lilleshall.
And Rudge, a member of Telford Archers, heads to Mexico with a number of accolades already under his belt, having just become a Master Bowman.
This involved having to shoot three Fitas - a shoot with 144 arrows that takes approximately five hours - at distances from 90 metres down to 30.
Rudge's Master Bowman was completed at senior level scores, as well as national junior and means that he is in the top 10 per cent of all compound archers in the country.
Phil Sinclair, who coaches Matthew, said the youngster had shown a huge amount of dedication. "He gets out to train every chance he can get - every day and even in winter."
"The only real opposition in Mexico is from the United States and he has got a very good chance of being in the top 10 and even the top three. It is his first time abroad, but he is very good," said SInclair.
Paul Athersmith, also an instructor at Telford, said Matthew will be taking part with just one ambition on his mind: "He is going for the gold medal - it is as simple as that. And he has a good chance."
Rudge trains every day at the Blessed Robert Johnson School in Wellington and Athersmith is sure that he will be aiming for senior glory soon.
"At the moment, Chris White is the World champion but, with the way Matthew is going, he could be chasing the title within three years.
"The maximum score for a Master Bowman is 1440 and while White's world record is about 1405, Matthew has been scoring 1316."
During the Lilleshall qualifier Rudge won three of his four 70m contests to take the under-16 age group - and scoop second place overall.
By James Shaw
