Sports: Archery | Ben Humphrys

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Camden Sports - by STEVE BARNETT
Published: 29 January 2009

Ben shoots maximum

ADROIT archer Ben Humphrys is going from strength-to-strength as he continues to aim for a place in the Olympics.
The William Ellis schoolboy, who lives in Highgate, amazed onlookers when he returned to action this month at the Aquarius Archery Club in East Finchley.
In his first moment of brilliance, the 14-year-old hit an incredible score of 590 out of a possible 600 in a highly skilful round known as a Portsmouth.
Shooting from 20 yards, Ben managed to hit the gold target with all 60 of his arrows, 50 of which landed in the x-ring, which is no bigger than a £2 coin.
Ben, who also trains at 2020 Archery in Islington, followed the magnificent feat by shooting a perfect score of 300 in a Worcester round.
The once-in-a-lifetime achievement saw Ben hit a white spot that is slightly smaller than a tennis ball from 20 yards with all 60 of his arrows.
You could hear a pin drop as he prepared to shoot his final arrows. Adding to the pressure, one onlooker miscalculated the score and broke the silence with a thunderous cheer to celebrate the maximum points haul, not realising that Ben still had one arrow left.
Ben (above and left) said afterwards: “I heard a massive scream, but I just found it funny. I’d already put 59 arrows in the white spot so there was no reason why I shouldn’t have been able to do it again with my final shot. I’m more pleased with the score of 590 than the perfect 300 because the centre spot is so much smaller, which for me is more challenging and is better proof of my accuracy, I’m proud of both my achievements. Shooting such high scores motivates me to strive on and improve.”
Ben is currently searching for sponsorship. Anyone interested should contact his dad, Dave, on 07930 392 963.

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