A University of Warwick student has become the junior World Field Archery Champion.

William Pike, who is 19 and about to begin his second year studying engineering at Warwick, won the gold medal at the World Field Archery Championship competition in Cortina d’Ampezzo, in Italy last week.

After two days of qualification rounds, William was in seventh place and through to the eliminations. He won a further four matches, including one against Slovenian top seed Ziga Ravnikar, securing his place in the gold medal match. His 53-49 win against the Netherlands’ Willem Bakker saw him claim the championship.

William said: “I was really thrilled to win the World Championships. I wasn’t feeling well on the second day of the qualifications and after qualifying seventh, I wasn’t sure of my chances. But the eliminations went well and I was really pleased with my performance.”

William has loved the sport of archery since he took it up six years ago, aged 13. He has competed at national level in France, where his parents live, and he is a member of the University of Warwick Archery team.

He said: “It’s a great sport because everyone is really nice to each other. It is a really fair play sport and it’s rare to see injustice or cheating.

“It is a calm sport but it still gives you that adrenaline rush when you hit your target or win the match.”

Although his mum and dad, Amanda and Martin, couldn’t attend the competition, they were obviously delighted to have a World Champion as a son.

William said: “They were thrilled. There was some Champagne opened when I got home!”

17 August 2018

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