Final Match Report: Archery
The finals of archery at Invictus Games Orlando 2016, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, began with an enormous roar from the crowd in the HP Field House. It was time for the best sharp shooters in the games to take a breath and aim true.
The archers put on a spectacular show. Key matches were taken right to the wire leading the crowds to go wild in the stands. There was a strong representation from nations competing in the games with a wide range of ability, which showed the raw competitive edge in final matches, but also promoting enthusiasm and newfound interest in the sport.
Perhaps the most awe-inspiring performance of the evening was the sudden-death showdown between Nicholas Munier representing Canada and Gareth Paterson from the UK. The room was silent as both archers took to the shooting line and fired at the target with Paterson making a near perfect shot to take the gold. Gareth contends with invisible injuries as well as physical. He told us about how this sport requires focus and determination to succeed, which has aided his road to recovery:
“I was stuck at home for years after my injury, then I took up archery and it has been one of the main things to turn my life around. Not only has it helped with my physical recovery, it is also a great way to clear my head for an hour a day, which helps when you have lot to think about. When I am on the range, I fire the bow and huge a tension and release flows out of me.”
The team matches certainly ignited the second half of the finals with three rounds of competitors with fierce performance from all the teams. After winning gold in the individual compound category, Canada’s Luc Martin, accompanied by his canine, told us what it meant to him where his national colors again:
“It means everything to me, to be surrounded by my teammates and my family. We have taken a long journey to becoming a greater version of ourselves after suffering mental and physical injuries while serving our country on the battlefield. I couldn’t have asked for nothing more than to come here tonight and win two gold medals for Canada and I’ve done it!”
USA’s Benjamin Koren, the bronze medal winner, encapsulated the evening’s proceedings by exclaiming a personal mantra that every Invictus Games athlete seems to have deeply engrained in the psyche:
“A clear mind and a strong body can carry you through the toughest of times, I am unconquered”
Results
Individual Matches
Novice Recurve – Archers practicing the sport for less than two years using a Recurve Bow:
Gold: Gareth Paterson, UK
Silver: Nicholas Meunier, Canada
Bronze: Martin Clapton, UK
Open Recuve – Archers practicing the sport for two years or more using a Recurve Bow:
Gold: Angelito Barbierato, UK
Silver: Chris Macfayden, UK
Bronze: Fabio Tomasulo, Italy
Open Compound: Archers using a compound bow
Gold: Luc Martin, Canada
Silver: Chasity Kuczer, USA
Bronze: Florian Cleplak, France
Team Matches:
Novice Recurve – Archers practicing the sport for less than two years using a Recurve Bow:
Gold: UK
Silver: Canada
Bronze: USA
Open Recurve – Archers practicing the sport for two years or more using a Recurve Bow:
Gold: UK
Silver: France
Bronze: Italy
Open Compound – Archers using a Compound Bow
Gold: USA
Silver: Canada
Bronze: UK
