Paris 2024: China stand out in strong Para archery field
China's Chen Minyi hopes to break her own records despite a competitive field at Paris 2024 Para archery 25 Aug 2024
Para archery has featured a wealth of athletic talent since the inaugural programme in Rome 1960. In recent years China has led the field, boasting eight medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, with aims for their continued success in Paris.
The sport has gone from strength to strength. At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games there will be nine medal events: the Individual W1 (men and women), Individual compound open (men and women), Individual recurve open (men and women), Team W1 (mixed), Team compound (mixed) and Team recurve (mixed).
In recurve events, a 122cm target is used at a distance of 70m; in compound and W1 an 80cm target is fired at from 50m. Para archery has attracted headlines worldwide with dominance from Great Britain and USA over the years. Great Britain have 62 medals (18 gold, 22 silver and 22 bronze), while USA have won 45 (20 gold, eight silver and 17 bronze medals).
More recently, however, Republic of China has been the nation to beat. They took home four gold medals at Tokyo 2020, thanks in a big part to stars Chen Minyi and He Zihao.
France also have a successful history in the event, with 39 podium appearances (15 gold, 12 silver and 12 bronze)/ The host nation want a “wave of emotion” to propel them to further success on home turf this time around.
Five stories to follow…
Matt Stutzman wants to show the world what's possible
Matt Stutzman, known as America's 'armless archer', has been a Paralympic poster boy since the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
“My expectation for Paris?” he said.
“Of course we’d all like to win a medal, but for me there is a chance that there will be four armless archers at these Games, which will be the first time in history, and if one of them can just podium, or if we can all just podium, that’s the ultimate showing the world that you can do it.”
Chen aims to build on legacy
China's Para archery ace Chen Minyi won two gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games – in the team and individual W1 at Tokyo 2020 – but concedes it won’t be east to defend her titles at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
This has just spurred her on, however. Chen is determined to stay at the top, and break her own individual Games world record of 142, scored in the Tokyo 2020 final victory.
“I feel that, as a Paralympic champion, the pressure will be greater because this limit has been exceeded and you can only go to the next level to be worthy of the title of Paralympic champion,” she says.
Aydin seeks change in attitudes
Yigit Caner Aydin isn’t just hoping to thrive in a sporting sense at Paris 2024 – he is looking to change attitudes towards disability sport across Turkiye.
The W1 World Archery Para Champion at Dubai 2022 has got a great chance of becoming Paralympic medallist. However, he has another passion as a TV presenter back in his homeland: “It’s a role that I take great pride in,” said Aydin.
“It’s incredibly fulfilling to have the opportunity to represent diversity and inclusivity in the media industry and to be able to inspire others who may be facing similar challenges.”
Trailblazer Zuniga has podium in sight
Mariana Zuniga was Chile's first Paralympic compound open medallist, with the W2 athlete gaining silver at Tokyo 2020, and the South American is hungry for more at Paris 2024.
"Whenever an athlete goes to a mega event or tournament in general, he or she always dreams of reaching the podium. If not, I wouldn't be there," Zuniga said.
India’s Devi leads way for next generation
Sheetal Devi was one of the rising stars at the 2023 World Archery Para Championships in Pilsen. Devi shoots in the same style as Stutzman, and helped shoot a new pairs world record at the championship. Now she will look to grab headlines at Paris 2024.
There will lots of athletes to watch at the upcoming Para archery at Paris 2024, contested between 29 August and 5 September at the historic Esplanade des Invalides.
