The pandemic marked a before and after for humanity. The arrival of COVID-19 meant a radical change for many people. Quarantine was synonymous with bad news for some and finding new directions for others. At that moment where everything was ambiguous, Otoniel Hernández found his passion: Archery.
The 16-year-old began watching videos of the Olympics and survival shows. YouTube was his best companion in the moments of confinement. That curiosity grew as the days went by to the point that he began to assemble his own bow and his arrows. What at first was a game became an everyday occurrence.
The videos were not enough and he decided to join a club to practice and improve. Searching the internet she managed to find ATAC (Association of Archery of Comodoro Rivadavia). She liked the logo of a fox with two arrows. “When I saw it I said: ‘I want to train there,’” said Otoniel in dialogue with El Patagónico.
The young man from Comodor had to wait because activities were restricted. The passing of the months allowed the authorities to relax the measures to avoid coronavirus infections. The opening of the quarantine was the chance he found to take the initiation course and be part of the Argentine Archery Federation.
Otoniel’s level was growing meteorically. Puerto Madryn, Puerto Iguazú, CABA and the province of Buenos Aires were some of the places that showed the talent of the promising Comodor native. His travels, training, and studies became an exhausting combo for Otoniel. Together with her family they had agreed that 2024 would be more “calm”, but life had other plans.
His participation in two Pan American tournaments, a regional competition and the national tournaments gave him the biggest surprise of his short archery career. The Pan American that was held in Tecnópolis was key to opening the door to the World Cup in Canada and confirming his participation in the Pan American in Mexico, which will be held in 2025.
However, qualifying for the top continental competition was not easy. At the beginning of the year, the International Archery Federation (World Archery) issued a statement informing that it accepted the participation of the U-18 and U-21 categories. That window was the opportunity for Otoniel.
After meeting the requirements, the young man took an exam in San Nicolás de los Arrochas, in the province of Buenos Aires. He far surpassed the score of 163 points and thus sealed his place in the World Cup.
Raise funds to travel
Canada’s dream is getting closer. The World Cup competition will be held from September 16 to 22 in the town of Lac La Biche, so Otoniel, his family, and the Comodoro Rivadavia Archery Association are holding raffles, selling food and different activities to raise money. money.
“We are doing a lot of things, but it is very difficult. It’s complicated because it requires a lot of things, but I also want to thank my club because everyone is doing a terrible job and carrying the backpack on their shoulders. Little by little we are collecting the money. Together they help me get to Canada,” said Otoniel.
In this sense, on May 19 they will hold a big poll to continue raising money. The chicken with salad will have a value of 13 thousand pesos and orders can be placed at 2974014954 (Yanina). For now the only confirmed pickup point is the Liceo Militar, but in the coming days the pickup location will be confirmed in the northern area and Rada Tilly.
Life after Canada
Otoniel is in his fifth year at the Marine Biology School. He still has two years left to finish high school, but he is already thinking about what he will do in the future. The University is his great desire, but he will not leave aside his passion.
“Last year I thought about dedicating myself 100% to archery, but I realized that the most one can aspire to is the World Cup and the Olympic Games. Eternal glory would be to be world champion and then Olympic champion. After high school, I’m going to study at University, and archery is going to remain the same. I know that the demands of the University are very great, but my passion is so great that I will continue practicing even if I spend sleepless nights,” said Otoniel, who is only 16 years old and is preparing to leave his name engraved at the top of the world.
2024-05-11 23:18:00
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