ARCHERY: A young Bunbury archery prodigy has recently claimed back-to-back state indoor championship titles.
Bayden Young took out the number one spot in WA and finished sixth in the nation at the Australian Indoor Archery Championships held on July 18 and 19.
It was the 15-year-old’s third time competing at the championships and his second state win.
“I’ve only been in archery for a few years so it’s good to post positive results,” Young said.
“I came second in WA my first time at the championships and have finished first the last two years, which is pretty encouraging.”
Competing against 800 archers nation-wide, Young stepped up from the intermediate grade to compete in the cadet category this year.
He said he was not expecting to win after a worrisome first day shooting.
“I was a bit nervous on the first day and wasn’t really expecting to take a win,” he said.
“Luckily my second day was really good.”
Young said his enjoyment of the sport drove him to compete at championship events.
“I really enjoy archery so it’s good to know you can come away with good results,” he said.
Young was joined in the championships by veteran Bunbury archer Gordon Pattenden, who participated in the indoor tournament for the first time.
“It’s extremely different shooting indoor and quite nerve racking,” Pattenden said.
“Out in the open you, if you miss your target, you can just go and fetch the arrow and try again – but indoors your arrow is most likely to shatter against a brick wall.”
Pattenden finished fourth in his division.