Guillaume Michael Pelser and a large contingent of archers from around the world competed in a host of categories, from April 8-12. 

It is here that the first year civil engineering student at the Central University of the Technology (CUT) in the Free State capital, took the coveted first-place position in the Freestyle Unlimited Young Adult Male category, eight points clear of his second-placed competitor from the host nation.  

In an interview with OFM News, Guillaume’s proud mother, Lynsie Pelser, shared her son’s two-year journey to the world stage and world championship. 

She says her son first picked up the bow in 2016, informing his parents that he enjoyed the sport quite a bit. A year later, the teenager earned his provincial colours, making it into the Free State team, repeating the feat again in 2018. 

While he was unable to partake in the national archery championships due to his matric examinations in November 2018, he was encouraged to go overseas due to his outstanding performance at provincial level.

Lynsie says she and the Tempe Archery Club “are very proud of Gillaume and are excited for his future”. His mother laments that archery isn’t known enough in South Africa to be actively pursued as a career, but her son will continue to compete and pursue the sport on the side.

OFM News