SA Archers secure Rio spot

South African archery has hit the mark by securing a slot at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.

An athlete aims during a practice session ahead of the men’s team archery eliminations at the 2015 European Games in Baku on June 17, 2015. AFP PHOTO / TOBIAS SCHWARZ

The target was reached at the World Para-Archery Championships in Donaueschingen, Germany where 27th ranked qualifier Stephan’s Lombaard reached the last 16 of the compound men’s open competition.

He beat Switzerland’s sixth-seeded Martin Imboden to secure the country’s Rio slot.

Known as Fanie, Lombard’s achievement now means that the final decision whether SA will have representation in this code in Rio, lies with Olympic/Paralympic governing body SASCOC, as the slot is earned for the country and not the specific athlete. And SASCCO have the final say in this regard.

South Africa has another para-archer competing in the shape of Shaun Anderson, accompanied by two officials, Dale Jaeger and Barbara Manning.

Almost 300 athletes are shooting, in eight different categories. Lombard, a leg amputee uses both arms to shoot while Anderson uses his mouth to launch his arrows.
The German event is the primary qualifying tournament for Rio.
– African News Agency (ANA)