Local athlete Archie Eather has achieved something very rare and extraordinary indeed.
Archie represented Australia in the under 18yrs category for Boulder at the IFSC Youth World Championships in Guiyang China on 25 Aug. This was the second time he has represented the country having previously competed at the Youth Worlds in Dallas in 2022.
Archie finished in 47th place out of a field of 68 athletes and this category is amazing. The qualification round did not suit his strong suit (power and co-ordination) but that's how it goes in this sport. He's still happy enough in his performance whilst knowing there was more in the tank. Just how it is.
Coming from a rural community without the high-level resources so readily available in the cities, this is quite remarkable and a feat that has never been done before.
'Anyone who has pulled on bouldering shoes will understand how hard this sport is and to represent Australia on the international stage is simply extraordinary'.
Archie coaches the local A Grade Badgers team and is a key member of the route setting and sport development team in Tamworth. He and his brother Fred have a lot to do with raising the profile and the standard of the sport in our region. Both have national Boulder titles to their names and their ripples are well felt in our local community.
Our local sport is club and team-based focusing on community so the this is not a pathway we readily promote but it is available and Tamworth has a credible history in this space since 2018. This pathway is not for the faint hearted as competition at this level is brutal, uncompromising and elitist by nature. So, it's a matter of taking your opportunities when they arise and Archie has done himself and our community very proud.
4 Sep 2024