Para National Archery Championships: Final shot at Paris 2024
When it comes to Paralympic medals, Australia’s para-archers are playing catch up. But with renewed support, confidence is high ahead of next month’s nationals. Meet 10 stars eyeing Paris 2024.
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After leaving Tokyo 2020 empty-handed, the road to redemption for Australia’s para-archers is about to begin at the National Para Archery Championships.
From April 3 at Sydney Olympic Park Archery Centre, seven spots in the 2024 Paralympic team will be up for grabs in what doubles as the World Oceania Grand Prix.
Australia’s last Paralympic medal in archery came in 2016. Yet despite the drought, national coach Ricci Cheah senses a bright future.
“There was only one member in the team eight years ago,” said Cheah, who continues to break down barriers that date back to the first Paralympic Games held in Rome, 1960.
“Archery Australia and myself see massive potential in para-archery. There’s now more investment supporting the athletes and programs to cater for their needs.
“Traditionally coaches have been a bit scared to get involved. So I’ve been trying to break the stigma and show that para-archery is one of the best sports to combine with able-bodied athletes. It promotes equality and shows what people with disability can do.”
While those aiming for Paris shoot about 1,000 arrows a week, Cheah continues to work just as hard guiding the next generation.
“Archery is a proven tool to help individuals blend into society and build confidence in themselves,” he said.
“It’s caters for all different kinds of levels. From the super young to those with a disability, anyone can shoot, and it’s a sport that doesn’t discriminate.
“We work with all different kinds of archers and disabilities. From traumatic brain injuries, spina bifida to amputees, there’s more than one way to shoot an arrow, and that makes it exciting.”
For those thinking of heading to the event, the Aussie coach said you won’t leave disappointed.
“Jonathan Milne is in the compound category, he won the last medal in 2016 and is hoping to qualify for his third games,” said Cheah.
“Queenslander Chris Davis is a current world champion, and he’s only been shooting for about four years. Then there is Ameera Lee, a leading contender in the female compound, she has multiple sclerosis and is one of the favourites to make the team to Paris.”
But it’s not just the homegrown talent, Cheah said spectators will also be impressed by the internationals.
“Nine countries will be attending, from as far away as Mongolia. There will be several unique performers, including a 16-year-old girl from India who shoots using her feet.”
Among a host of Aussie talent, here’s 10 aiming to be in France next August.
JONATHAN MILNE (MEN’S COMPOUND, NSW)
Club: Sydney Olympic Park Archers
Rates his bronze at the 2016 Rio Paralympics as his most memorable moment, but his efforts for Australia in both para and able-bodied teams at multiple World Cups and World Champs shouldn’t be understated.
Now 38, the compound specialist took to the range in 2013 after sustaining a spinal cord injury while swimming in the surf. He initially participated for fun, but has come to appreciate the mental benefits.
IMALIA OKTRININDA (WOMEN’S RECURVE, NSW)
Club: Sydney Olympic Park Archers
Born in Indonesia with spina bifida, Imalia has raced up the ranks since becoming a serious competitor in 2018. A member of the national team in Tokyo, her good form in the green and gold has continued in Dubai and at the Czech Republic World Championships.
Thrives on pushing boundaries and also dreams of representing Australia at the Olympics. And with a home ground advantage, this Sydney Olympic Park Archer is on target to secure the only female recurve spot on the team.
CHRISTOPHER DAVIS (MEN’S W1 – RECURVE/COMPOUND, QLD)
Club: Mount Petrie Bowman
Looking for a sport where he thought he would be competitive, Chris picked up archery in 2019. He’s now a world champion after landing gold at last year’s World Para Champs in the Czech Republic.
A proud Queenslander, he initially shot a recurve bow for 18 months before being classified as W1 nationally and transferring to the compound bow.
MATILDA MOBBS (WOMEN’S RECURVE, NSW)
Club: Sydney Olympic Park Archers
Well known in Sydney’s west, the Penrith teenager competes with spina bifida and has set herself a goal to become a dual Paralympian in archery and swimming.
Still in year-9, she looks up to and is mentored by Imalia Oktrininda. Doesn’t mind a good book either, and is often spotted reading a couple simultaneously between arrow ends.
AMEERA LEE (WOMEN’S COMPOUND, NSW)
Club: Sydney Olympic Park Archers
Ameera competes with MS and since firing her first arrow as an able-bodied archer in 2016, she has since transitioned to a wheelchair.
An advocate of self-care and wellbeing, her passion for refusing to give up has led to success with the national team in Italy, Netherlands, Thailand, UK, and the Czech Republic.
One who thrives in the archery community, Ameera says the sport has brought a sense of purpose that she could never have imagined in her wildest dreams.
GARRY ROBINSON (MEN’S COMPOUND, NSW)
Club: Sydney Olympic Park Archers
A victim of traumatic war injuries in Afghanistan 14 years ago, the now 50-year-old continues to rebuild through archery.
An amputee, the proud grandfather of six made his introduction via the Invictus Games seven years ago and shoots from a wheelchair with the aid of a shoulder harness.
Would love nothing more than to qualify for Paris, and with a Para World Champs silver medal already under his belt, he’s a genuine chance.
PATRICK FRENCH (MEN’S COMPOUND, VICTORIA)
Club: Diamond Valley Archers
Wheelchair bound since a workplace accident in 2015, Patrick had no real interest in sport until he purchased a compound bow two years ago. Now instead of hunting, he parks arrows in tidy groups at the range.
In fact, the Victorian parks them so well that he has already earned national selection, and heads to Sydney as a legitimate contender for Paralympic honours.
AMANDA JENNINGS (WOMEN’S RECURVE, QLD)
Club: Mount Petrie Bowman
Amanda is a genuine sporting all-rounder. After a successful career in Paracanoe where she won multiple world championships and a Paralympic medal, she transferred to archery following two full hip replacements.
Fast forward three years, and she has already competed at national and international level and now has Paris 2024 in her sights.
PETER MARCHANT (MEN’S COMPOUND, NSW)
Club: Sydney Olympic Park Archers
Thanks to his friends at Tuggeranong, Peter took to archery in 2015 – almost 30 years after a serious motorcycle accident. Now plying his trade at Sydney Olympic Park, he made his Para World Champs debut in 2017.
In a career highlight, he was the oldest member of the Aussie team at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
TAYMON KENTON-SMITH PLY (MEN’S RECURVE, QLD)
Club: Samford Valley Target Archers
A member of the Samford Valley club on the leafy outskirts of Brisbane, Taymon has been shooting as a one and a half handed athlete for almost his entire life.
Twelve years after promising his “Nanna” that he would go all the way, he delivered in style, celebrating his 26th birthday in Tokyo at the Paralympic athletes village.
A winner of the Australian Sports Medal, he is widely recognised and supported by numerous organisations.
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