STAFFORD sharpshooting couple, Mike and Janice Willrich have continued their impressive form on the national archery scene.
In the recent British National Archery Flight Championships at RAF Church Fenton in North Yorkshire, the Willrich’s claimed no fewer than seven British titles between them.
The couple competed in four bow classes at the 65th such championships, where conditions were more favourable than last month’s annual West Midlands and Open Flight Championships at Newport, Shropshire.
In the British, up against an international field of archers, including eight past and present world record holders, Mike won the class A unlimited target bow title with a distance of 580 yards 1.6 feet for a record 22nd time.
He also went on to win the class B unlimited recurve flight bow for a sixth consecutive year (608yds 1.3ft), American longbow unlimited (364yds 1.2ft) and class D unlimited English longbow for a record eighth time (321yds 1.4ft).
Meanwhile, for Janice there was a record 14th win in the class A 50lb target bow (420yds 1ft). She also won class A 35lb target bow (358yds 1.3ft) and American longbow unlimited (304yds 0.6ft).
At the previous West Midlands/Open event, there were two gold medals for Janice, while Mike returned home with gold and silver in the closed championships.
In the Open, Mike and Janice both won three gold medals and there was a further silver for Janice, in what was a strong field, including four past and present world record holders.
Closed event gold was claimed by Janice in class A 50lb target bow, class D unlimited English longbow, while Mike emerged the class D unlimited English longbow winner.
In the Open, Janice won the class A 35lb target bow, class A 50lb target bow and class D unlimited English longbow titles.
Mike won his respective open class A 35lb target bow, class D 50lb English longbow and class D unlimited English longbow events.
This week, the couple competed in the Northern Counties and Open Archery Flight Championships, also at RAF Fenton.
Shooting in a moderate cross wind with occasional showers, Mike and Janice won four gold medals each.
Both won their respective unlimited American longbow and class D 50lb English longbow open titles, while Janice also picked up the class A 35lb target bow and 50lb American longbow titles.
Completing a memorable spell of success for the couple was Mike, who also won the class A unlimited target bow and class D unlimited English longbow events.
