“Bullseye” Boz, also known as Ben Bosworth, has twice won the Ax & Grind Ax Throwing League, which earned him a spot at the World Ax Throwing League Championships in Chicago on December 15th. (Arnold Lim / Black Press)
BC ax thrower aims at world championships
Former pitcher competes in the World Ax Throwing League Championships in Chicago
Ben Bosworth and his axes fly to Chicago.
Bosworth, a man from Vancouver Island now affectionately known as “Bullseye” Boz, punched his ticket to the World Ax Throwing League Championships for a one-day single-elimination tournament broadcast live on ESPN3, and does so, after discovering ax throwing on a whim.
“Came here with a couple of friends for a fun afternoon and thought I was pretty good and could sink the ax pretty consistently,” said Bosworth. “And from then on I just started coming here a little more and a little more.”
After throwing axes for less than a month, Bosworth signed up for a tournament at Ax & Grind, a municipal ax thrower in downtown Victoria, and promptly won it. A few months later, the former baseball pitcher signed up again, knowing that if he won, he would be offered the opportunity to represent his local club at the World Ax Throwing League Championships in Illinois. He won again.
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“Now that I’ve booked my flight and booked hotels, it started to memorize a little more. I get nervous when I really think about it, ”said Bosworth. “I haven’t played in such a big tournament, I’ve done a few tournaments for other sports, but nothing at this level.”
The resident of Victoria trains five days a week in preparation for the December 15th tournament with coach Ragnar Olafson, who finished second in the league and is traveling to Chicago as a wildcard participant. Together they represent Victoria at the international event with contributions from all over the world.
“I was happy, very happy and proud to be able to do this and to represent the city and this club,” said Bosworth. “(It) will be something I will probably remember for the rest of my life.”
arnold.lim@blackpress.ca
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