Plowright to stick fight on world stage

Stick fighting world title win for James Plowright

HE'S a two-time stick fighting world champion and now James Plowright has been celebrated in art work.

A drawing of the Bendigo warrior will be entered in this year's Archibald Prize, regarded as the premier portrait prize in Australia.

It's artist is Bendigo's Stephen Brown, who is a work mate of Plowright's. The pair transport school buildings across Australia.

Brown has entered the Archibald Prize before. His last entry was a portrait of actress Bec Hewitt, who he met while he was an extra on the set of television series Home and Away in the early 2000s.

He said his choice of Plowright as the subject of his drawing was by virtue of his world championship credentials.

"It's been a while since I entered a professional competition, stick fighting is a nice change," he said.

"The category is someone in the media - a sportsperson or politician - so he fits the description."

The drawing comprises more than 80,000 lines and is set on a denim background, to give what its artist terms an "unusual look".

Plowright secured the second of his 18-39  super heavyweight (100kg-plus) world championships in the Philippines last year.

As well as winning the staff world championship for the second time, the 27-year-old also won bronze in the single stick and double stick disciplines.

Plowright said he was amazed by the likeness of the drawing and the opportunity to be portrayed.

He was unaware the drawing had been done until last week.

"(Friday night) was the first time I had seen it and I was absolutely amazed by it," he said.

Plowright, who is trained by Bendigo's Glen Eden, had no idea if the Archibald Prize entry would be a contender, but was more assured of his chances at the national stick fiighting championships in June.

The championships will be held in Townsville, with Plowright chasing a third consecutive national crown.

"From there I will be fighting in Hawaii next July in the world championships," he said.

"The world championships are every two years. I won in Hungary in 2014 and the Philippines last year.

"Winning three world championships hasn't been done by anyone at our club. Glen has won two as well.

"I know there is a guy up in Queensland who has won three - that's my goal now."

That would be no mean feat for a competitor who only took up the martial art in 2013.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Plowright in his attempt to become a three-time world champion can contact him on 0459 488 554.