We are proud to have supported Matt Gleaves in his air rifle benchrest ambitions. We're equally pleased to announce that Matt has become the new British Air Rifle Benchrest Champion.
Attending the National Benchrest Championships in Derby, scoring a near-perfect 1476 out of a possible 1500. Matt managed to beat current European Champion, former World Champion and all of the GB squad who just returned from the World Championships to lift the trophy. However it wasn't all plain sailing.
"The weekend was not without its drama. I found myself behind the pack on day one and then shot my personal best on day 2 to win by 4 points. In this game, that is a big margin."
You can read all about Matt's remarkable story and apply for funding on our Disability and Financial Support page. Look out for Matt's interview in the October issue of Podium, coming soon.
- Well done Matt and Team Gleaves
I decided to take 25m air rifle benchrest seriously about three years ago, so I joined Benchrest UK and shot on their UK tour. I never looked back and I've been living the airgun dream ever since.
I've been an avid air gunner for over 40 years, coming from an air gunning family, including my Dad and then my daughter who shot air pistol on the national 10m junior circuit. However, I never imagined that I'd ever actually win events.
I then found out that anything was possible, when last season I won two events and reached the podium in all the other Benchrest UK events; I scored more points than any other UK shooter last year on the tour.
Recently, I won the Heavy Varmint Class Air Rifle at the PSC Spring Open Shoot in Portishead (AKA Brass Monkey) 2023 - the first of the big UK benchrest competitions this season. I had to shoot a near perfect final card to win, and shot 249 points out of 250. I also came 2nd in the Light Varmint Air Rifle class.
These are national level abled bodied competitions, and I am beating the very best the UK has to offer. As you can see, I’m a happy fella!
As a wheelchair user, I am working very hard to show that we can compete in an able-bodied world under certain circumstances, and I work to promote inclusion in the sport.
Matt’s Youtube Channel: AirAbility - YouTube
AirAbility seeks to promote inclusivity in the UK airgun community.
With a focus on shooters with physical limitations and their friends, we showcase outdoor and benchrest shooting as well as the back garden plinker.
Anyone can join that wishes to promote air gunning and safety in a positive way.
Our intention is to create a friendly online community that can support everyone who wishes to take part in airgun shooting.
Matt recently attended the Glevum Benchrest Open in Gloucester. Over the 2 days he was hugely successful and won all the air rifle events, the light and heavy rifle and the total aggregate score competitions.