“On the firing line, it’s just me and the bow and arrow.” astrid barria (AB) he focuses much of his energy and talent on his passion, the sport of archery (archery). A discipline that he has practiced since he was 12 years old (he is now 19), and which he considers a challenge that offers both self-control and adrenaline.
In conversation with Metro Libre (ML)Barría tells of his beginnings in archery, his sports plans and expectations that this activity grow more in Panama.
ML: Why practice archery?
AB: “Archery is a family sport that my father has practiced since I was little. At the age of 12 I received my first bow and from there, at 16, my professional career began. The discipline has something interesting, the story behind it and the fact that, although it is technically an individual discipline you have the opportunity to compete as a team, and also in a mixed way, which would be a boy and a girl”.
ML: What events have you participated in?
AB: “Interclub Tournament 2019-Panama; National tournament 2020-Panama; Qualifier for the Junior Pan American Games in 2021-Colombia; Archery World Cup 2021-USA; Central American Youth Championship 2021-El Salvador; World ranking event 2021-Colombia; Junior Pan American Games- 2021-Colombia; Puerto Rico Archery cup (qualifier for the Central American and Caribbean Games) 2022- Puerto Rico; Bolivarian Games 2022- Colombia; and South American Games 2022-Paraguay.
ML: What sports plans do you have in the short term?
AB: “In the short term, I have the 2022 Pan American Archery Championship in Santiago (Chile), from November 20 (to the 27th) of this year. The other year I have both the Central American and Caribbean Games and the Pan American Games. In the long term, and beyond a tournament, I would like to be in the world top 20, currently I hold position 72”.
ML: How would you describe your style when it comes to competing in this sport and how would you motivate others to continue practicing this discipline?
AB: “I can be described as a social person, however, when it comes to competing I focus on only one thing, the shots. On the firing line it’s just me and the bow and arrow. I make sure to leave everything else behind her before I go inside. For this I have had the facility since, being very competitive, since I was little, I like to win, and this has been a technique that has worked well for me so far.” “It is complex, since unlike other disciplines where the adrenaline and the ‘rush’ of the moment are important, here it is all about calm and control. And that is where we sometimes differ, because it is something that is difficult for me sometimes, but it is always possible to handle it and control the situation.
ML: Where do you train sports shooting in Panama?
AB: “I train at the national preparation center, which is in the Irving Saladino Sports City [Juan Díaz]and it is so far, the only field made by the government that has the measures established by World Archery [federación internacional para el deporte olímpico y paralímpico de tiro con arco].
ML: Do you think that, in Panama, people do not give enough value to archery as a sporting activity?
AB: “It’s an emerging sport, and it’s not that popular, but I think it’s possible that it will become more widely known. Interviews like this and others that I have done have made a little more known about it, I have received a lot of support from people who have been learning about it, through reports and social networks, they play a great role. I do believe that media exposure to both this sport and others helps to make them known and interest people in it”.
ML: What would you ask of the authorities and private companies in Panama to support the sport that you practice, as well as in general?
AB: “Support and understanding. Like everything in life, you have to be patient, and the support you receive plays a big part, not only in the team and monetary factor, but knowing that someone outside your family supports you is a great psychological motivator. I would like us to receive more support, I feel that it is a very beautiful sport and with a great possibility of growth”.
ML: What does it take to be a competitive shooter?
BA: “Discipline. In precision sports that is the greatest requirement. Discipline plays a very important role since it is what is most required of us. It is an expensive sport, comparable to sports like golf. there are no dangers [en la cancha] as such, since accidents are rare, however, without adequate preparation if injuries can be seen, especially in the shoulder area.
ML: Do you think you give up or give up something in your life by choosing sports, instead of doing other things like people your age?
AB: “Last year, since it was my first year, not only competing internationally, but as an adult, and just coming out of a pandemic, I did feel that I was giving up my life for the sport, since I only I was concentrating on this, however, this year I decided to find a balance and allow myself to live my youth while training, it has been difficult, but I have managed to achieve a balance, allowing myself to go out on weekends, but being on the pitch from Monday to Saturday. It is not an easy task, and many of my colleagues still find it difficult, but it is possible to find a balance between the two, it is just a matter of practice and patience”.
ML: How do you see yourself in about five years? Would you like to be a sports manager?
AB: “I see myself as an athlete, since I will only be 24 years old, besides that it is a sport that allows you to be competitively active until advanced ages, but I would like, eventually, to be a leader. Currently, I am satisfied with being able to help and, I would like, inspire other young people interested not only in this sport, but in anyone they aspire to, since saying that you are a national team is something important and a source of pride”.
“2022 has been a busy year, having two games on this calendar (personally) and several level competitions. Within these competitions I have felt good, since I have managed to be in the top 10 of all. It has been a year of challenges, since for health reasons I was incapacitated for a month, just before the Bolivarian games, but I consider that thanks to the intense preparation I managed to maintain the level and recover in the best possible way”, indicated the athlete Astrid barria.
Panamanian Astrid De Los Angeles Barría Graell is 19 years old; She is 1.67 meters tall, with a weight of 65kg. She resides in the Corregimiento of Ernesto Córdoba Campos, in the district of Panama. She is single with no children, she is the eldest of a sister (14) and brother (9). She is a Marine Biology student and her hobbies are reading and go-karting.
