By Jay Rosquites
EBC Florida Bureau
TAMPA, Fla. (Eagle News) — As the Warrior Games hit the halfway mark, the Archery finalists took aim and shot for the bullseye — the Gold medal.
The competition, which began on Monday with the prelims, was made up of five categories: Individual Compound/Recurve Open Visually Impaired, Individual Compound Open, Individual Recurve Open, Team compound and Team Recurve.
Combined Men and Women Competitors had the option to shoot bows from a standing or seated position. Though an individual sport, archery in the Warrior Games allowed the different armed forces to join as a team. Team Australia shared how it was their first time to compete using a compound bow.
“It’s coming from non-archers, it was very stiff [competition],” said Australian Army Veteran, Shannon.
Teammate, Darren Peters added, “All three of us; it’s the first time all picked up a compound.”
“We’re not even joking. Literally, four days ago was the first time all 3 of us picked up a compound bow,” said Carlo Novak, the third member of the Australian team. “And I’m going to flat out brag, but we just hit 199 for our team.”
For some teams it was the first time they medaled.
“This is the first time that Navy’s won a medal for team rounds. And when we did, we got the gold medal. So, it means a lot,” said CPO Josh Erickson, US Navy Veteran.
Tesla DeBarros, Lance Corporal of the USMC, who also competed in powerlifting, valued her spot on the team.
“It means a lot because this was the team sport. It was something we didn’t even know was happening. So, I found out yesterday afterwards that we did it and… I don’t know. It was just really overwhelming, I guess, that I was good enough to make the team”, said DeBarros.
During the announcement of the winners, a second-place tie was announced between the Marine Corps and Army in the Team Compound category forcing these warriors to have one last shootout to determine who would take home the silver.
“Yeah, that was terrifying because since we only got one arrow, every arrow matters so much,” said DeBarros, who helped her team capture the silver medal. “I shot and somehow I hit dead center. And it worked.”
The finalists also shared their experience with Archery and how it took them to new levels in the Warrior Games. Both DeBarros and Erickson said that the Warrior Games has saved their life.
“Warrior Games is amazing! The amount of team spirit and everything. I’m a very competitive person and having something like this to work towards has actually… completely saved my life,” said DeBarros.
Erickson added, “We just come out here. We understand that we been through a lot. And it doesn’t matter team, what country, we know you’ve worked hard to get where you are. So, we help each other make it through it. And that’s what it means to me and why it means so much to me. Archery saved my life. Warrior Games has definitely saved my life.”
(Eagle News Service)