Kentish Express Ashford & District
Siblings are real all-rounders
Athletics
Being good at sport runs in the Wilton family.
James, 17, 16-year-old brother Tom and sister Jess, 11, from Bethersden are three siblings making a big impression in multi-events with the two boys making successful trips to Europe in the past month.
James was a member of the Great Britain under-19 boys squad who competed in the European Cup in Barcelona late last month, while Tom won gold in the under-17 Portugese Championships in Lisbon a few weeks earlier.
James also won the British under-19 championship, with Tom placed third in the under-17 age-group in Solihull the same day.
Currently ranked third in the UK, Tom has been selected for the European Championships in Bulgaria starting on June 30
ard work has led to the success of both boys, while sister Jess qualified for the national championships, after finishing sixth in the British Tetrathlon Championships – running, riding swimming and Multi-eventers Tom, Jess and James Wilton shooting – again in Solihull – last month.
James says it was Jess’s involvement in biathlon that inspired him and Tom to take up multi-eventing. All three are pupils at Ashford School, combining their studies with a busy schedule, with mum Jenny and grandparents Alan . H and Lindy ferrying the trio to training and competitions.
Jenny said: “There is no time for anything else, it is all encompassing and we are kept busy with all the logistics.”
James is studying maths, physics and chemistry and looking to go on and study at the University of Bath, where Pentathlon GB are based.
He is aiming to compete in the World Youth Championships in Guatemala in May next year and the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires in October.
A ‘first-year’ under-19 means he stays in the same age-group throughout next year. Many of his rivals in Barcelona were a year older than him. He finished 27th overall and was third highest placed Briton.
He said: “The trip to Barcelona was definitely a learning experience for me after being called-up late.
“Swimming and running are probably my two best disciplines. I have got a good team behind me with (former Olympian) Mhairi Spence coaching me at school.
“We have an indoor shooting range and I also fence there as well as at Tenterden Fencing Club.
“Stella Bandu at Ashford AC and swimming coach Denise Walsh also help me.
“Tom, Jess and I are all competitive but are always supportive of each other.”