When Michelle Berry decided to swap decorating the house for a trip to the World Peashooting Championship just 30 minutes before registration opened, she never imagined she’d be going home as the Open World Champion.
That spontaneous decision secured an incredible fifth World Championship title, adding the Open crown to the four Ladies World Championship titles she’d already won and cementing her place as one of the most successful competitors in the championship’s history.
For Michelle, however, the World Peashooting Championship has always been about far more than trophies.
“We first came along to the World Peashooting Championships when we moved to the village over 20 years ago,” Michelle recalls. “It soon became an annual family affair, with my late dad, aunt and uncle, and my sister’s family all travelling to Witcham to enjoy the day.”
That family connection became even more special thanks to her late father.
Inspired by competitors using laser sights and drawing on his engineering skills, he began designing his own laser peashooters. Despite being visually impaired, he created several versions before building the one Michelle still uses today.
Credit Jane Herbert
A standard 12-inch brass tube fitted with a laser sight and decorated with rows of peas and a Union Flag, the peashooter he made in 2014 has accompanied Michelle through every one of her World Championship victories.
After several years away from the championships as life moved on, returning this year wasn’t even part of the plan.
“We only decided about 30 minutes before registration opened that we’d come along. It was such a hot day that we abandoned all our plans for decorating the house!”
That last-minute decision turned into one of the most memorable days of Michelle’s peashooting career.
“I genuinely didn’t think I’d even got through the first round and had packed my shooter away!”
Instead, she progressed all the way through the knockout rounds to claim her first Open World Championship title.
“Obviously I’m absolutely delighted to win for the fifth time. My dad would have been so chuffed, and I’ll display my latest trophy alongside the others in the custom-made display in our summer house.”
A Final to Remember
When asked about the toughest opponent she’s ever faced, Michelle doesn’t hesitate.
After winning four consecutive Ladies World Championship titles, she met Sally Redman-Davies in the 2018 Ladies Final. Sally, an experienced rifle target shooter and Michelle, produced one of the highest-quality finals the championship has seen.
“It was a tense final. I only dropped points with two of my peas and scored 46, but Sally scored 48, missing just one bullseye from her ten shots.”
Although Michelle narrowly missed out on another title that year, it’s one of her favourite memories.
“It was a lot of fun and we all celebrated afterwards together. Sally and I have stayed in contact ever since.”
Open or Traditional?
While Michelle has become synonymous with her father’s laser-equipped peashooter in the Open Championship, she laughs when asked whether she competes in the Traditional category.
“In the early years, before the laser version, I used a traditional peashooter, but I wasn’t very good.”
Credit Jane Herbert
Her husband, Allistair, has a different opinion.
“He insists traditional is best,” Michelle says. “This year he proved his talent by reaching the semi-finals against last year’s Traditional World Champion.”
More Than a Championship
Michelle admits she can’t even remember whether she’s ever scored a perfect round.
“I don’t really count the score,” she says. “Just whether it’s enough to get through to the next round.”
Perhaps that’s what makes Michelle such a fitting champion.
For her, the World Peashooting Championship has never simply been about winning. It’s about family traditions, friendships, ingenuity, and the memories made on Witcham Village Green.
This year’s Open World Championship title is more than another trophy. It’s a celebration of the family who introduced Michelle to the event more than two decades ago, and a touching tribute to her late father, whose handcrafted peashooter continues to make history.
Sometimes, all it takes is a last-minute decision to enter.
You never know—you might just become a World Champion.
Did you know? Following her fourth World Championship victory, Michelle appeared on BBC Radio 2 with Ore Oduba on The Claudia Winkleman Show, sharing the story of the World Peashooting Championship with listeners across the UK. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0588y63