Canadian Para-Archers Win Three Medals at Pan Am Para-Archery Championships

Canada’s para-archery squad delivered a standout performance at the 2024 Pan American Para-Archery Championships in Medellín, Colombia, capturing three medals — including a historic gold — to underscore the nation’s growing strength in the sport as the Paris 2024 Paralympics approach.

The event, held from April 22 to 27 at the Coliseo Iván Vassilev Todorov, brought together over 80 athletes from 15 nations across the Americas. Competing in recurve and compound divisions under World Archery rules adapted for para-athletes, Canadian archers demonstrated precision and resilience under challenging conditions, including intermittent rain and fluctuating winds that tested equipment and focus.

According to verified results from World Archery Americas and the Canadian Paralympic Committee, the medal haul consisted of one gold, one silver, and one bronze — marking Canada’s best-ever performance at the continental championships in para-archery.

Historic Gold for Éric Talbot in Men’s Recurve Open

The standout performance came from Quebec’s Éric Talbot, who claimed gold in the men’s recurve open category with a commanding 6-0 victory over Brazil’s Luciano Rezende in the final. Talbot, a two-time Paralympian who competed at Tokyo 2020, averaged 9.8 points per arrow during the elimination rounds and hit the 10-ring 42% of the time — a tournament-best.

“This medal means everything,” Talbot said in a post-match interview archived by the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “After missing the podium in Tokyo, coming back here and winning gold against such a strong field — it’s proof that the work we’ve put in over the last four years is paying off.”

Talbot’s victory was particularly significant as it marked the first time a Canadian male archer has won gold at the Pan Am Para-Archery Championships in the recurve open division. His path to the final included a semifinal win over United States’ Kevin Mather, whom he defeated 6-2 after recovering from a 2-0 deficit.

Silver and Bronze Podiums Complete Canadian Sweep

In the women’s compound open category, Ontario’s Karen van Nest earned silver after a tight 140-138 loss to Colombia’s María Angélica Bermúdez in the gold medal match. Van Nest, a Parapan Am Games medalist from Lima 2019, led for much of the match but saw her lead erased in the final end when Bermúdez scored two consecutive 10s.

“I’m proud of how I fought,” van Nest said. “María shot incredibly well under pressure, and I’ll seize this silver as motivation to keep improving. The experience of competing here, in this atmosphere, is invaluable.”

The bronze medal came from British Columbia’s Jason Pfeifer in the men’s compound open division. Pfeifer defeated Mexico’s Luis Rodolfo Sánchez 145-140 in the bronze medal match, recovering from a slow start to post three consecutive perfect 10s in the final three ends. His performance included a tournament-high 12 consecutive inner-10s during the qualification round.

“To medal on home continent — well, not home, but close enough — feels amazing,” Pfeifer said, smiling. “We’ve been working on consistency, and to see it come together when it matters most? That’s what we train for.”

Context: Building Toward Paris 2024

The Pan American Championships served as a critical benchmark for athletes aiming to secure Paralympic quota spots or refine form ahead of the final qualification events. While the championships themselves do not allocate direct Paralympic berths, they offer valuable world ranking points and competitive experience.

As of April 2024, Talbot is ranked 11th in the world in men’s recurve open, van Nest 8th in women’s compound open, and Pfeifer 14th in men’s compound open — all within range of potential Paralympic selection depending on final rankings and national allocation policies.

Canada has not yet confirmed its full para-archery team for Paris 2024, but the strong showing in Medellín strengthens the case for multiple entries. Archery Canada’s high-performance director, Mario Trudel, confirmed in a statement to Archysport that the federation is reviewing results alongside upcoming World Cup events in Antalya and Paris to finalize selections by the June 30 deadline.

“These medals aren’t just about today,” Trudel said. “They reflect a deeper talent pool, better coaching integration, and athletes who are peaking at the right time. We’re optimistic about our chances in Paris.”

Challenges and Progress in Canadian Para-Archery

Historically, Canada has struggled to match the depth of traditional powers like the United States, Mexico, and Colombia in para-archery. Prior to 2024, the nation’s best showing at the Pan Am Championships was two bronzes in 2017. This year’s triple-medal performance represents a significant leap forward.

Experts cite increased funding through the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s Podium Program, expanded access to specialized coaching, and greater integration with able-bodied archery development pathways as key drivers of progress. Athletes now train year-round at centralized hubs in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver, with access to sports science support and equipment tuning specialists.

“We’ve moved beyond participation to performance,” said Trudel. “The goal isn’t just to go to Paris — it’s to compete for medals there.”

What’s Next for Canada’s Para-Archers

The next major checkpoint for the Canadian para-archery team is the 2024 World Archery Para Championships in Paris, scheduled for July 8–20 at the same venue that will host the Paralympic archery events. This event will serve as the final direct qualification opportunity for nations yet to secure full teams.

Following that, the Paralympic Games will run from August 28 to September 8, with para-archery competitions taking place at the Esplanade des Invalides in Paris from August 29 to September 5. Ticket sales and broadcast details are being coordinated by the International Paralympic Committee and France Télévisions.

Archers like Talbot, van Nest, and Pfeifer are expected to attend a national training camp in late May at the Olympic Oval in Calgary to fine-tune technique and build team cohesion ahead of the Paris events.

For fans wishing to follow the team’s journey, the Canadian Paralympic Committee provides regular updates via its official website and social media channels, including athlete profiles, training logs, and competition previews. Archery Canada also streams select events on its YouTube channel with commentary in both English and French.

Looking Ahead: A Sport on the Rise

The success in Medellín reflects broader growth in para-archery across the Americas. Participation has increased by over 40% since 2021, according to World Archery Americas, driven by outreach programs in schools and rehabilitation centers. Equipment innovations — such as custom release aids, adaptive bow stands, and sighting systems for visually impaired athletes — have also lowered barriers to entry.

As the Paralympic movement continues to gain global visibility, sports like para-archery offer compelling narratives of adaptation, precision, and mental fortitude. For Canadian athletes, the medals in Medellín are not an endpoint but a milestone — proof that with sustained investment and athlete-centered development, podiums once considered out of reach are now within grasp.

The next chapter begins in Paris. And if the form shown in Colombia is any indication, Canada’s para-archers are ready to write it.

Stay tuned to Archysport for ongoing coverage of the Paralympic qualification journey and exclusive insights from Canada’s para-archery team as they prepare for the Games.