Born: 17 October 1854 (Hare Hill House, Littleborough, Rochdale)
Died: 24 June 1929
Biography:
Sybil Fenton Newall, popularly known as Queenie Newall, was an English archer who made history by winning the gold medal at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. Born on 17 October 1854 in Hare Hill House, Littleborough, Rochdale, she became an inspirational figure in the world of archery and women’s sports. Queenie’s victory at the age of 53 made her the oldest female gold medal winner at the Olympic Games, a record that still stands today.
In 1905, Queenie and her sister Margaret joined the Cheltenham Archers club, where she quickly emerged as a talented archer. By 1907, she had already won four out of five regional meetings, showcasing her exceptional skill and dedication to the sport.
Queenie’s defining moment came at the 1908 Olympics, held at the White City Stadium in London. The expected favorite, Alice Legh, decided not to compete, leaving Queenie to contend against Lottie Dod, an accomplished all-rounder in sports. The women’s archery competition consisted entirely of British participants.
The first day of the Archery competition was plagued by poor weather conditions, leading to a temporary stoppage of the event. By the end of the first day, Queenie found herself trailing behind Dod by ten points. However, the following day saw improved weather, and Queenie seized the opportunity to surpass Dod. With a final score of 688 points, she secured the gold medal, leaving Dod in the silver medal position by a margin of 46 points. Queenie’s triumph also marked her as the oldest woman to win an Olympic medal, achieving this feat at the age of 53 years and 275 days.
Not content with a single victory, Queenie continued her archery career. At the National Championships, she faced defeat at the hands of Alice Legh but went on to claim victory in 1911 and successfully defended her title in 1912. In 1914, Queenie triumphed once again, proving herself as a dominant force in the sport.
Even after the disruption caused by World War I, Queenie remained dedicated to archery. Her passion for the sport persisted until her final recorded score in 1928. Sadly, she passed away on 24 June 1929 at her home in Cheltenham, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and perseverance.
Queenie Newall’s impact on women’s archery in Great Britain cannot be understated. Following her victory at the 1908 Olympics, it would take more than nine decades before another female British archer, Alison Williamson, secured an Olympic medal, winning bronze at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Queenie’s historic win undoubtedly inspired future generations of female archers, reinforcing the belief that women could compete and excel in traditionally male-dominated sports.
Personal life:
Queenie Newall was the eldest daughter among ten children born to Henry Newall and Maria Fenton. Her father, a merchant, owned Hare Hill House and estate in Littleborough, Lancashire. Her grandfather, John Fenton, served as the Member of Parliament for Rochdale following the 1832 and 1837 general elections.
Despite her sporting success, Queenie never married and spent her entire life residing in Cheltenham with her sister Margaret. This allowed her to fully dedicate herself to her archery pursuits and solidify her status as a trailblazing figure in British sports history.
Awards:
– Gold Medal, 1908 Summer Olympics (London)