“This was the first time he has formally represented at archery and to compete against seasoned Australian internationals was always going to be a challenge,” says Finn’s mother, Lexie Matheson.
Up against tough and older competition, Finn performed very well, placing third after shooting a personal best of 638.
In the individual match play Finn qualified with a 2nd equal placing, beating all other cadet archers. It was in the single arrow shoot off that Finn narrowly missed out one first place, with the difference between the arrows just 2cm.
In the New Zealand team match play Finn and his team won a second bronze medal, again losing a single arrow shoot off to the top Australian Junior Men’s team by a narrow margin.
After further rounds Finn ending his first international tournament with two bronze medals and two fourth places.
“The intensity of the competition was great, and he thrived on the pressure,” says Lexie.
Finn is on track to qualify for the Youth Olympics in October and now feels confident having returned home with great experiences and clear new goals.
