A HUDDERSFIELD schoolboy is on top of the world.
Coen Townsend, 11, is now the leading under-12 Subbuteo player on the planet after an extraordinary year.
The Fenay Bridge lad is number one in his age category after winning seven international tournaments in 2012.
And Coen took top spot after triumphing at a competition in Cardiff last weekend.
His dad Philip said: “It was quite a big tournament and we knew going into it that he would be number one if he won or was runner-up.
“He ended up winning and now he’s number one by quite a distance.
“I’m chuffed to bits, it’s something we’ve been working towards for a long time.”
The Kirkburton Middle School pupil is now ranked eighth in the world in the under-15 category.
Back in July, Coen reached the quarter finals of the World Cup. He also captained his country to bronze in the team event at Manchester City’s Etihad Arena.
And now father and son have set their sites on next year’s World Cup in Athens.
“It’s a big chance for Coen to become world champion,” said Philip.
The youngster practises for hours each week on four Subbuteo tables at home.
“He does three to four hours a week as we get towards the World Cup next summer that will go up to seven or eight hours a week,” said Philip.
“We have four tables so Coen can practice on every surface.
“When you get to a tournament you can be playing on a different type of pitch with a different speed.
“Our preparation has always been quite good. That’s been one of the secrets of our success.”
Coen took up the game after Philip brought an old pitch down from the attic for his half-brother Miguel Perreira.
“We used to play when we were younger and my brother got back into it a few years ago so I got the old equipment from the attic,” said Philip.
“Coen had a little flick and it was clear instantly that he understood the game.
“We started going to tournaments and a few weeks after that he started winning.”
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