Argentine compound archer Iván Nikolajuk secured a silver medal in the men’s team event at the South American Games, continuing an elite competitive career that nearly ended following a severe carbon monoxide poisoning incident in June 2022, according to regional sports reports.
The Near-Fatal Incident in Bahía Blanca
On Monday, June 6, 2022, Nikolajuk suffered a severe carbon monoxide leak from a heater inside his apartment in Bahía Blanca, where he trained with the Círculo Bahiense de Arquería, as documented by sports coverage from TyC Sports. Because the gas is colorless and odorless, he remained exposed throughout the day. Around 18:00 local time, while speaking on the phone with his current girlfriend, he lost consciousness. When he stopped responding, she went to the apartment and found him collapsed near the floor at approximately 23:00.
Emergency responders rushed him to the Municipal Hospital of Bahía Blanca, where doctors placed him in a medically induced coma with orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Medical evaluations confirmed acute carbon monoxide poisoning, though an initial brain CT scan yielded normal results. Nikolajuk later recounted that medical staff informed his family that his survival was uncertain. He spent three days in intensive care before waking up. “I woke up the next day in a hospital, tied to a stretcher, surrounded by people, and I didn’t understand anything,” Nikolajuk recalled, adding that his girlfriend effectively saved his life.
Rapid Athletic Recovery and Continental Gold
Despite the severity of the trauma, Nikolajuk’s physical and athletic recovery progressed swiftly. After spending roughly a week recovering at home, he resumed training after just one month away from the sport. Four months after the incident, he competed at the South American Games in Asunción, Paraguay, where he captured the gold medal in the individual compound archery tournament, defeating entrerriano archer Nelson Salinas 144–141 in the semifinals, according to tournament records.
In the mixed team category in Asunción alongside partner Eugenia González, Nikolajuk finished just off the podium, dropping the bronze medal match to the Chilean pair 154–152. That continental success added to his prior gold medal victory at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. Reflecting on how the near-tragedy reshaped his athletic mindset, Nikolajuk stated that he resolved not to experience undue stress over competitive outcomes.
Silver at the South American Games
Four years after his hospitalization, Nikolajuk returned to represent Argentina in compound archery at the South American Games. Competing alongside his teammates in the men’s team event, the Argentine squad advanced to the final round to face Colombia, widely regarded as a continental powerhouse in the discipline. Although Colombia claimed the top spot, the Argentine team secured the silver medal.
“It is an immense joy,” Nikolajuk told reporters regarding the team podium finish, as noted by La 100 coverage. “This medal was won by the team. It was a dreamed result for us; we faced Colombia in the final, which is a powerhouse. Competing against them was already crazy.” He also noted the energy of the crowd during the finals, observing the stands packed with cheering supporters.
Next Steps in Competition
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