Four Beverley youngsters have been selected to represent Great Britain in the World Biathle Championships in Bulgaria in September.
Jordan Mounsey, Natasha Bellamy, Jessica Chapman and Luke Chapman are all thrilled to have been selected for the Great Britain squad. They qualified after their performances in a series of events including the National Championships which were held at Salford Quays on 14 August.
Biathle is a growing sport in which athletes compete in two disciplines – running and swimming. The event starts and finishes with a run and there is a swim in between. Distances vary according to age and the open water swim is always especially challenging.
Twelve year-old Luke Chapman is the youngest of the quartet. He finished second in the U13 age group at the National Championships after a 500 metre run round Salford Quays, a 50 metre swim in the dock and another 500 metre run round the Quays.
For Luke’s elder sister Jessica it will be the second time that she has competed in the World Championships. Last year she won a team gold medal when the championships were staged in Dubai. She is looking forward to building on this experience and improving her performance in Bulgaria.
Like Jessica, Natasha Bellamy attends Longcroft School and Performing Arts College in Beverley. She finished third in her age category in Salford after two 1000 metre runs and a 200 metre swim.
Beverley Grammar School student Jordan Mounsey finished fifth in the U18 age group in the National Championships. His event incorporated two 1500 metre runs and a 200 metre swim. Jordan is really looking forward to the World Championships and said “It’s a privilege to be representing Great Britain.”
Competing against the best in the world will be a tough challenge but with individual and team medals at stake there is a lot to aim for and they will all be striving to do their best.
The four biathletes are members of local running and swimming clubs and train and compete regularly in a range of events. They are supported by their parents who transport them to training and competitions and pay all expenses incurred.
Participation in the World Championships also has to be funded by the athletes. If you would like to sponsor them you can make contact via chapsat@hotmail.co.uk
Reported by Kay Farrow
