A TEAM of young athletes from Bushey is celebrating after taking on more than 300 people from across the country, winning more than 20 medals and beating a national record.

The group of 11 disabled students from Bushey Meads School visited Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympic Games, last week to take part in the Norwich Union National Junior Games.

After competing in sports ranging from a 100m running race to table tennis, weightlifting and archery, the team picked up five gold medals and 16 silver and bronze medals.

One of the gold medalists, Michael Pope from Year 9, moved a step closer to his dream of taking part in the 2012 London Paralympic Games with a record javelin performance.

The 19m 94cm throw, a number matching Michael’s date of birth, was a record throw for the tournament across all disability groups.

Because of his continuing success in the sport, Michael has been chosen to represent Great Britain in the World Dwarf Games in Belfast.

Despite joking that he was “hoping it would be America”, he said he was looking forward to taking part after last week’s “fantastic” competition.

Of the Stoke Mandeville event, he said: “It was the best one yet. The best part for me was meeting all my mates from other schools from the last three years.”

The other athletes in the team were Nirav Shah who won gold in the 200m run, Charlotte Thomas, who won a 100m race, Charlie Baker, Rebecca Sullivan, Branwell Mann, Myriam D’Orazio who won gold in the rifle shooting, Jack Benton, Jack Pegram, George Nicholson and Reece Walsh.

Nirav described the games as “fun and exciting”, adding that the polybat contest, a cross between air hockey and table tennis, was by far his favourite part.

Charlotte, who braved heavy rain for her winning run, said she was pleased with her medal despite the bad weather being “the worst part” of the event.

Charlie said making new friends was his highlight while Rebecca shared her team mate Michael’s view that it was the event’s “best year”.

Between picking up medals and making friends, the team had a chance to meet paralympic medalists Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, Shelly Woods and Matt Skelhon.

Team leader Nicky Day, who organised the trip, said: “They were absolutely fantastic – you could not ask for a better group of students.”

Physical education teacher, Sarah Cooper, added: “They have been a credit to the school. We are a small group and they were not selected because they were the best or could win medals. Everyone had an opportunity to take part and try out new sports.”