STINCHCOMBE’S Kieran Slater will be shooting for a place in the World Archery Championships this weekend after an incredible experience at the inaugural European Games in Azerbaijan.

Slater suffered the agony of missing out on a men’s individual quarter-final place after a shoot-out against sixth seed Pierre Plihon of France, when for so long he was on the verge of winning. But far from being downhearted, he's taking the postives from the tournament, and revealed his pride in representing Britain in the Games.

After his defeat, Slater said in a Facebook post: “Despite that match not going in my favour, I am really pleased with how I have done this week, have had an amazing experience and have thoroughly enjoyed each moment. The experience of alternative shooting matches and being part of a multi-sport event has been invaluable and I have learnt many a lesson.

“Also thank you so much for all the support over social media, those who got up early to watch matches, and my friends and family you have all been a tremendous help. It has been so nice to see all the support."

The Stinchcombe archer came so close to victory, and in the game found himself two sets to one up against Plihon, before the Frenchman levelled the score to take the match into sudden-death. That meant a subsequent shoot-out would decide the victor, and Plihon hit a nine in the target, while Slater could only score an eight.

Slater's father Paul revealed the whole family were immensely proud of the sharp-shooter's performance, saying: “We are massively proud of him for what he has achieved and that he has enjoyed it regardless of the result. He did brilliantly. It was just that final arrow that ended it. He was really focussed and loved every minute of it out there."

Not only taking the momentum from the Baku event towards the World Championships British team selection event on Saturday and Sunday, Kieran Slater is also taking aim on the biggest sporting event of them all – the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro next year, with his father adding: "He wants to do what he can to get to Rio which is the big aim – and has been for a while."

Qualifiers for the British Olympic team are likely to take place next year, but 21-year-old Slater has more immediate matters on his mind when he returns to Stinchcombe this week.

Paul revealed: “He has a selection shoot for the World Championships this Saturday and Sunday. I am sure he will be fine for that, but there are good strong group (of British archers).”

The World Championships will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark, between August 26 and September 2. For this week, however, the Stinchcombe Slater family are revelling in Kieran’s achievements.