🇫🇷🔍 Sport Explainers - Paris 2024: All You Need to Know about Para Archery 🏹🎯

Summary

Para archery at the Paralympics showcases athletes' precision using adaptive techniques with various impairments. Competitors in Open and W1 classes use recurve or compound bows, shooting from 70 meters in traditional style or 50 meters with compound bows. Athletes balance concentration and physical abilities, overcoming challenges like weather and noise, aiming for glory at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Takeaways

• 🎯 Para archery focuses on precision by shooting arrows as close to the center of the target as possible.
• 🏹 Athletes may use adaptive methods such as hooks, straps, or even their mouths to shoot arrows.
• 💪 Archers adapt to their different physical abilities, making archery work for their bodies.
• 🏅 Paralympic archers compete in two categories: Open and W1 classes.
• 🦽 The Open class is for archers with impairments in either the top or bottom half, or one side of their body.
• 🔄 Archers in the Open class can compete using recurve or compound bows, standing or seated.
• 🎯 Recurve bow archers shoot targets from 70 meters, the same as in the Olympic Games.
• ⚙️ Compound bows use pulleys to reduce tension and shoot at smaller targets from 50 meters away.
• 🦼 W1 class is for archers with impairments in both the top and bottom halves, using compound bows in wheelchairs.
• 🏹 Archers compete individually or in mixed team events, aiming to balance concentration, weather, and internal challenges.

Q & A

What is the primary objective in Para archery?

In Para archery, the primary objective is to test precision by shooting an arrow as close as possible to the center of the target.

What are some ways Para archers hold the arrow?

Para archers might hold the arrow with hooks, straps, or even their mouths, finding creative ways to adapt to their different bodies.

How are classes determined for archers at the Paralympics?

At the Paralympics, archers compete in the Open or W1 classes. Open is for those with impairments in one half or one side of their body, while W1 is for those with impairments in both the top and bottom halves of their bodies.

What types of bows can Para archers use in competition?

Para archers can compete with either a recurve or compound bow.

What is the traditional archery method used in Para archery?

Using a recurve bow is the traditional archery method in Para archery.

How far is the target from the archer when using a recurve bow?

The target is 70 meters away when using a recurve bow, similar to the Olympic Games.

How does a compound bow differ from a recurve bow?

A compound bow has pulleys that help reduce the tension when pulling the arrow back, making it easier for some archers.

What is the shooting distance for archers using a compound bow?

Archers using a compound bow shoot from 50 meters away.

Can Para archers compete standing or seated?

Para archers can compete standing or seated, using a stool or wheelchair, depending on their class and personal preference.

What are the different formats in which archers can compete?

Archers can compete in individual or mixed team events for both classes and bow types.

How do archers advance in the competition?

Archers start by shooting 72 arrows. They advance by winning the most sets or achieving the highest cumulative score in head-to-head matches.

What challenges do Para archers need to overcome during competition?

Para archers need to balance their bodies and concentration, and fight against weather, noise, or even their own physical or mental challenges.

When is the next Paralympic Games featuring Para archery?

The next Paralympic Games featuring Para archery is in Paris 2024.