The Oceania Championships featured 92 archers from eight countries, which is by far the biggest international tournament Finn has competed in.
Finn’s category was fierce as each archer was competing for just one male place in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in October. Though competing far from home, Finn was able to find comfort in the fact that half of his competitors where from Australia. “Finn has beaten the Australians all at different times since February and they’re all great mates,” says Finn’s mother Lexie Matthews.
The result of the Championship for Finn is first reserve for the Olympics, with his scores ranking him 35th in the world.
“This is extraordinary considering he’s the youngest athlete by at least a year,” says Teacher in charge of Archery, Barbara Law.
Finn was also invited to attend an eight-day Youth Olympic Games Training Camp in New Caledonia, as the sole NZ athlete to reach the Youth Olympic Games qualifying scores. During the camp Finn improved his personal best from 638 to 648.
Finn has already qualified for the 2019 Youth World Championships in Madrid, where he’ll compete against European and Asian archers for the first time. His goal of Olympics 2020 is, according to his coach, right on track.
