A TEENAGER has been declared a "champion" at the British Shooting Schools Senior competition.
Mathew Batchelor, from Maybush, Southampton, took part in the competition and was representing Eastleigh College.
The championship took place at Chase Leisure Centre in Cannock, Staffordshire, and the 17-year-old participated in the senior age class category.
There were two categories in the competition. Participants could either take part in shooting 6-yard springer or pre-charged sporter class air rifles or 10-meter pre-charged sporter class air rifles.
Matthew competed in the 10-meter air rifle event, which is an Olympic event as well.
More than 100 people across the UK signed up for this competition, and from Southampton, a team of four teenagers took part.
After an intense competition and playing against his friend, Mathew was declared the winner of his event and shooting champion for 2021-22.
Sharing his experience, Matthew said: "It was my first Olympic style final. I was really surprised to be in the first place.
"It gets really competitive when there are fewer people left and only a few points separate us. I was shocked as I was up against some really good shooters. "
Matthew was only 11 years old when he took up rifle shooting as a sport.
He was trained by his dad, Stephen Batchelor, at 21st Romsey Rifle Club.
Stephen, 48, has been a county coach for the past five years. Speaking about the team's achievements, he said: "I am happy if they are happy, and seeing them achieve their goals and seeing them enjoy it makes it all worthwhile."
While celebrating the victory, he hopes to get more young people involved in target shooting.
"It is a fantastic discipline that hopefully more schools will start to look to include in their curriculum," Stephen added.
The final championship took place on Wednesday, February 9 and was organised by Olympian and air pistol athlete Gorgs Geikie.
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