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Australia is set to make history in Paris with its largest archery team in four decades, spotlighting a remarkable resurgence in the sport.
The six-strong squad represents a blend of seasoned veterans and dynamic newcomers, all driven by an unwavering determination to succeed on the global stage.
Leading the charge is Jonathon Milne (men’s compound open), a bronze medallist from Rio 2016, now competing at his third Paralympic Games.
Milne is joined by Taymon Kenton-Smith (men’s recurve open), returning for his second Games with renewed vigour, and Amanda Jennings (women’s recurve open), a two-time Paralympian who has made a stunning transition from Para-canoe to archery.
Making their Paralympic debuts are Ameera Lee (women’s compound open), whose perseverance after narrowly missing the Tokyo 2020 team has paid off; Melissa-Anne Tanner (women’s compound open), another former canoeist showcasing her versatility; and rising star Patrick French (men’s compound open), whose rapid ascent in the sport has marked him as one to watch.
Thirty-eight-year-old Milne from Blaxland, near Sydney, is no stranger to the pressure of high-stakes competition. With around 10 top-tier archers all shooting at similar levels, Milne knows that the final outcome will hinge on how well each individual performs on the day.
“The competition is going to be tough,” he said.
“My ultimate goal is, of course, to medal, but more than anything, I want to walk away knowing I shot every match to the best of my ability. If someone outshoots me, that’s how it goes, but I want to leave knowing I gave it my all.”
Milne’s dedication is evident in his recent achievements. He placed third in the men’s individual compound open at the 2023 World Para Archery Championships and secured a bronze medal as part of the men’s compound team at the Archery World Cup in Korea in May this year. Despite his success, Milne has continued to refine his technique.
“I’ve changed the way I set up my bow to improve stabilisation and boost my match play average – these changes have made me more consistent,” Milne explained.
Training the past few days on the competition range has been crucial, allowing Milne to acclimatise to the conditions of the venue.
“It’s a beautiful location, and getting a feel for it has been great,” he said.
Milne will be supported by a large contingent including his parents, partner, sister, grandparents and close friends, all of whom will be cheering him on in Paris.
Meanwhile, 51-year-old Melissa-Anne Tanner from the Gold Coast is about to realise her lifelong dream of becoming a Paralympian. Tanner’s road to archery was unconventional. Originally an elite canoe sprinter, she was forced to pivot to a new sport after a shoulder injury dashed her hopes of competing at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.
Three years ago, Tanner picked up a bow for the first time, thinking archery would be an easy transition, however she quickly discovered the opposite to be true.
“It’s just as challenging as any other sport and requires the same level of commitment and training,” Tanner said.
Tanner embraced the sport wholeheartedly and now stands ready to compete at the highest level.
“I’m just proud to be here, surrounded by like-minded people who embrace individuals with disabilities, supported by a wonderful team,” she said.
When asked about her goals for the competition, Tanner focused on personal performance rather than podium finishes.
“I came here to do the best I can. I just need to shoot the way I do every day in training and try not to put too much pressure on myself,” she said.
“Being nervous is a privilege. Of course, I’m nervous – anything can happen on the line. Archery is one of those sports where anything is possible.”
The team will embark on their campaign without Aussie teammate Christopher Davis, the reigning W1 men’s world champion, following his withdrawal from the team due to injury.
Tanner, Lee and Kenton-Smith start their ranking rounds on Thursday night AEST. Milne, French and Jennings start their campaigns early on Friday morning.
Watch the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on the 9Network and 9Now live and free, and on Stan Sport from August 28 to September 8
By: Amanda Scott, Paralympics Australia
Published: 26 August 2024
