PARIS - US Paralympic archer Jason Tabansky had no idea he'd be competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games until late June. The first-time Paralympian now holds a gold medal.
Faced with an uphill battle, including a bracket including the world's top-ranked Para archers and an errant penultimate arrow toward the conclusion of his gold-medal match
US Army Staff Sergeant locked in for his third and final shot. He needed just an eight to win, but hit a perfect ten to take the top spot on the podium in the men's solo W1 tournament, winning 134-131.
"Honestly, I remember loading my arrow, hooking my release, drawing back, and then screaming," he recalled of his final shot. "I don't recall the shot. All I remember thinking was, "Put the pin in the gold and let's punch this thing."
"After that it was just a fountain of emotions that I've had going through me for the last seven years."
Tabansky's division, W1, had slightly different results than the Olympic recurve discipline. Instead of winning set points after three arrows, contestants shoot five sets of three, for a total of 15 arrows.
Tabanksy is not done in Paris; he is scheduled to compete in the mixed team event with Tracy Otto on September 2.
"I'm going to take some time to let this soak in," he told us. "Then, after that we'll go give it everything we've got."