Local Paralympic archer believes next year’s Olympics will unite the world
A local handicapped archer believes that, despite the setbacks and disappointments many sportsmen are currently experiencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will also be positive consequences, especially with regard to the delayed Olympics.
The Tuks archer Shaun Anderson believes the postponement of Tokyo’s Olympic and Paralympic Games might not be a bad thing.
“Losing out on an opportunity teaches one appreciation. For this reason, I believe next year’s Games are going to be the Games that will blow the world’s mind. It is going to be a celebration of life. Bringing us together. No athlete is going to take anything for granted ever again,” Anderson explained.
Anderson was left paralysed after a motorboat accident. Before that, his left arm was amputated after he was involved in a motorbike accident a few years ago. Still, he refuses to feel sorry for himself. In 2016 he represented South Africa at the Rio Paralympic Games.
The Tuks archer admits being quite depressed on hearing the Games had been postponed.
“I was starting to find form. In my last competition before the ‘lockdown’, I shot a South African record. It made me believe qualifying for the Paralympic Games would be a mere breeze.
Then the announcement happened,” he commented.
However, after he thought about everything, he realised it is the right decision. The international archery community is quite close. Since the coronavirus outbreak, there have been a lot of messages of encouragement doing the rounds.
“We in South Africa are lucky as we are still able to sort of train. My friends in Italy who are living in apartment buildings can’t. They are not the only ones. It means the Games would not have been a fair contest,” said Anderson.
Despite being in lockdown, the Tuks archer is still training daily.
“I try and stick as closely to my routine as it was before the crisis. It is essential not to give in to the temptation of doing absolutely nothing. When it gets difficult to remain positive, I think why I do what I do. I don’t only want to compete at the Games again, I want to make South Africa proud,” he concluded.
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
