During the 2023–24 school year, Liam Bacht was in fifth grade at Steinmühle. But even now, this young student has a hobby that has made him well-known far beyond the school grounds: archery. He took up the sport in the summer of 2022, and he has been passionate about it ever since. With the support of his parents, Liam trains regularly at his archery club’s grounds and shows tremendous dedication.

Seventh Place at the “Vegas Shoot”

This dedication is paying off, as Liam is already competing in numerous tournaments. In an interview, he explained that the tournaments are held at various levels—from district and state competitions to Germany-wide and Europe-wide tournaments, as well as world championships. He is particularly proud of his victory at the Hesse state level, where he won the gold medal by an impressive margin of 30 rings.

But Liam doesn’t just think locally—he’s taking his bow and arrow out into the world. A highlight of his career so far was competing in an international tournament in the U.S. He traveled to the U.S. with his parents, where he faced off against about 80 of the world’s best archers and ultimately achieved an outstanding seventh-place finish—a success that Liam and his family are rightly proud of.

The venue where Liam competed in an archery tournament in the U.S. is the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas, Nevada. That’s where the “Vegas Shoot” takes place every year—one of the largest and most prestigious indoor archery events in the world. The competition attracts participants from all over the world, including many talented archers like Liam. The venue is located in the southwest part of Las Vegas and offers an impressive space for the competitions and accompanying activities.

There, he also met the German national team, which made him pretty excited. Meeting the top athletes and experiencing the international atmosphere were a special experience for Liam. Despite his nerves, he demonstrated his skills and ultimately finished in an outstanding seventh place. This already ranks him among the world’s best young archers.

A young athlete with big goals

“Getting to travel to the desert for the competition was a dream come true. It motivated me even more,” Liam says, looking back on his participation in the “Vegas Shoot.” His enthusiasm for archery is palpable—and he knows exactly what makes this sport special. “In archery, it’s important to stay calm. You can learn how to concentrate,” Liam says with conviction.

At just 11 years old, he already has clear goals in mind. He’s especially looking forward to his 13th birthday, because once he turns 13, he’ll finally be able to compete in the German Championships. However, he’ll have to wait a little longer to compete in the European Championships or play in the Bundesliga—those competitions are open only to athletes 18 and older.

“I want to become a pro”

Despite his impressive achievements, Liam has remained just another ordinary student in his class. His classmates are happy for him and regularly congratulate him whenever he wins another tournament. “For them, my success has almost become the norm,” Liam says with a smile. With his long blond hair and determined demeanor, he’s a standout not only on the tournament court but also at school.

One of Liam’s favorite subjects is German, taught by his teacher Frank Wemme. It was Frank who encouraged Liam to tell the school community about his fascinating hobby. When asked about his plans, Liam says quite clearly, “I want to become a professional.” He knows that the German Armed Forces or the police offer exciting career prospects for elite athletes. If his passion for archery continues, this very path could one day become a reality.

At the moment, Liam Bacht seems to be consistently pursuing his goals. The student trains at least twice a week with his coaching team, consisting of Michael and Judith Icking. With this discipline and support, the odds are good that Liam will achieve his goals. His story impressively demonstrates just how far enthusiasm, perseverance, and strong support can take you. We can’t wait to see what new chapters he’ll write in his athletic career in the future.