RGS Alumna Crowned Double European Champion
Former RGS Worcester student Emelia Hughes has achieved outstanding success, being crowned Double European Champion at this year’s European Field Archery Championships in Poland.
The bi-annual competition took place in the grounds of Książ Castle in the Walbrzych region, attracting almost 200 archers from 25 nations. Representing Archery GB, Emelia competed in her first European Field Archery Championships – a new challenge after previously representing Great Britain on eight occasions in the Target Archery discipline.
Earlier this year, Emelia secured her first Senior Gold Medal at the Veronicas Cup in Slovenia, but with limited experience in Field Archery, she went into this event with no expectations. However, she impressed from start to finish, claiming two Gold medals – one in the Individual event and another in the Mixed Team competition. In a thrilling Individual Final against Tereza Veverkova from Czechia, Emelia needed a perfect shot to secure victory and held her nerve to deliver a centre-of-the-target six.
Reflecting on her achievement, Emelia said, “I just can’t believe it. I was so nervous going into the last shot, knowing that only hitting dead-centre and scoring a six would secure victory. It was a steep upward shot and the wind was gusting, but somehow I pulled it off. It’s incredible that I can now say I am a double European Champion.”
Emelia’s second Gold came in the Recurve Under 21 Mixed Team Final, where she teamed up with fellow club archer Edward Gray to overcome an experienced Slovakian team. Both athletes finished with centre-of-the-target sixes to seal the win.
Since leaving RGS Worcester, Emelia has embarked on a three-year Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship with Worcestershire-based company Yamazaki Mazak, who have been hugely supportive of her sporting ambitions.
It proved to be one of Great Britain’s most successful European Field Archery Championships, with the team securing seven Gold and four Silver medals. Emelia now looks ahead to the World Field Archery Championships in the USA next year, where she hopes to build on this exceptional achievement.
