Pip TAYLOR – A new archery star is born?

Story by World Archery Reporter Billie MARSHALL.

The youngster from Cannock, Staffordshire, took part in the recent Britain's National Indoor Championships held at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry early December.

Despite only looking to mentally prepare for future events, TAYLOR came away victorious in an event she had never took part in having been a regular at youth events, defeating a three-time Olympian in the process.

With success at youth level such as the National Indoors and England team champion, Pip can now add a prestigious senior individual honour to her ever-growing list of accolades. It is a list that is sure to continue to expand in the future as well.

“At first I couldn't believe I had done it. I finally realised and it was by far the biggest achievement of my career so far. I didn't know how to react really, I just felt so happy.”

Pip continued to explain just how she felt going into the weekend: “I do enter every competition with the drive to win. Shooting alongside Olympians and Commonwealth medallists, I didn't expect to outperform these people on this occasion. I'd never done the back to back before, so I wanted to use it to practise for the coming years.”

One of those Olympians and high profile opposition included three-time Olympian Naomi FOLKARD, who Pip defeated in the final to become champion. It is the type of competition at a young age needed to prepare for other challenges that may present themselves in the coming years.

TAYLOR is currently preparing to sit her A-Levels in the coming months but her recent success has got her thinking a little past that as she prepares to shoot regularly at international level.

“I haven't got anything specifically that I am aiming to achieve, because I don't know what the future holds, but I love competing both nationally and internationally. I hope to start to shoot high competitive scores, which will enable me to carry on up the circuit within archery.” 

But despite all the early success and attention, Pip remains firmly rooted to the ground and is keen to continue in the same way she is doing now.

“I think a lot of people take sport for granted and I feel privileged just to be competing at national and international level. It won't last forever. I'm just going to take each shoot as it comes and any opportunity I get given; I'm going to shoot the best I can on the day.”

There are no guarantees in sport but the success of TAYLOR early on in her career stands her in good stead for the future as she aims to be the next breakthrough British archer on the international scene.

Find all results of Archery GB's National Indoor Championships