TWO teenagers from Deer Park Archers in Shurdington are continuing their rise to the top, taking two medals apiece in the World Archery Youth Championships at Yankton, South Dakota, in the USA, writes Jane Leigh.

James Howse, 15, and Lucy Mason, 14, finished as the top Great Britain representatives in their first world championships which finished at the weekend.

James ranked sixth in qualification for the Compound Cadet event, and went on to secure a bronze medal, losing his semi-final to Viktor Orosz from Hungary who became world champion.

He also claimed a silver medal as a member of the GB team which beat top seeds Turkey and just lost out to the USA in the Compound Team competition.

Lucy finished 13th in her individual qualification round, but was selected to partner James in the mixed doubles where the Deer Park duo were ranked fourth: they lost their semi-final to the eventual winners from Mexico, but beat the number three seeds from South Africa to secure a bronze medal.

GB team manager Jon Nott said: “It’s been a really good week for the team. We have had an outstanding performer in James Howse who has trained and worked so hard in the last year. This has been the best showing ever at a world championships for our junior compound team, and we will continue over the next two years to improve for next time.”

Prior to the world championships, James and Lucy had just returned with three medals from the first leg of the European Youth Cup in Klagenfurt, Austria. Both won silver medals in the cadet men's and cadet womens’ team contests, and James also took bronze in the individual.

Deer Park coach Roger Crang said: “Both James and Lucy are members of the national elite senior squad, and both competed in Moscow, Slovenia and Mexico last year.”

“This time last year they were competing in the Gloucestershire School Games, now they’re inspiring others to excel in sport. Our club could not be more proud of James and Lucy's achievements, especially when they have another couple of years in the cadet class.”