Join AUS Squad
Back To News
Australia’s Para-archers are using their pre-Games training sessions to acclimatise to the stifling conditions that have greeted them on their arrival in Tokyo.
The four-person team of Rio 2016 bronze medallist Jono Milne and Paralympic first-timers Imalia Oktrininda, Peter Marchant and Taymon Kenton-Smith begin competition at Yumenoshima Park Archery Field on August 27.
Para-archery Head Coach Ricci Cheah said his priority over coming days was to ensure the Team was prepared to perform at their best in a challenging environment.
Buy your green and gold virtual seat and support our Paralympians
“We need to get the team used to the heat, as the weather is quite different from Australia at the moment, its 75 percent humidity and about 32 degrees here,” Cheah said.
“We just need to make sure their bodies are feeling good, they are comfortable and everyone knows what to do.
“The next few days are about familiarising the team, getting them used to shooting at the training range and finals venue, seeing what the differences are with wind and lighting and taking note of all the scoring areas.”
One archer already feeling comfortable is Oktrininda, who took up archery only three years ago.
“It’s hard to describe how I feel, there have been a lot of ups and downs but my goal was to make it to these Games and I’ve made it, so I’m really excited,” she said.
“In terms of preparation, over the next few days I’m just trying to be as normal as possible. I try not to get influenced by the environment too much, I am keeping my processes and practices like I’m still at home.”
Oktrininda will compete in the W2 Women’s Recurve and the Mixed Team Recurve.
“It’s unreal to see all the athletes from all the different countries,” she said. “I’ve never seen so many Para-athletes in one place before. It’s incredible, powerful and really inspiring.”
Watch the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games live and free on Seven and 7plus from August 24 – September 5.
By: Paralympics Australia
Posted: 23 August 2021
