Three Taunton School athletes crowned world champions

Three athletic pupils from Taunton School have been crowned official world champions in biathle and triathle.

JJ Wells, aged ten, is one of three Taunton School pupils who returned to the UK with medals after competing in the World Biathle and Triathle Championships in Madeira recently.

JJ won gold in the Under 11 individual event, while friend and fellow athlete Tom Barnett, aged 12, came away from the championships with a gold medal in the Under 13 team triathle.13- year-old Nicolas Du Toit won gold in the Under 15 team triathle. 

JJ, who also won an additional silver and three bronze medals in individual, team and relay races, said: “The atmosphere at the World Championships was nerve-wracking, lively and amazing. The experience of being out there with your friends was really good and it was an incredible competition.”

Biathle consists of running, swimming then running again, while triathle consists of shooting, swimming and running. Both competitions feature disciplines which form part of the Olympic sport the modern pentathlon.

Tom, who won two silver medals alongside his gold, said: “Competing at the World Championships was an awesome experience and I really liked meeting lots of people from different countries.” 

In October, JJ, Tom and Nicolas medalled in the European Championships in Greece, where they secured 13 podium places between them.

Shaun Winsor, Director of Sport at Taunton Prep School, said: “This has been an amazing few weeks for JJ, Tom and Nic. To gain selection for the Europeans then Worlds is one thing but to win medals there is incredible. This is testimony to the hard work and attitude they display in everything they do. As a school we are all so proud of their achievements. We may be looking at three future Olympians!”