World Field Championships 2014

Zagreb, Croatia

By: Nathan Yamaguchi

Over the past ten days, I have been in Zagreb, Croatia, competing in the World Field Championships, an experience that was only able to happen with the help from organizations like USA Archery Arizona, friends, and family members. Although I have been to world championships before, this was my first field worlds. In fact, this was my second field tournament period, the only previous one being the trials.

During the qualification round, I was fortunate to be in the same target group as some really great guys from all over the world, and who thankfully spoke some pretty fantastic English. After the unmarked and marked distances I had qualified 3rd to my teammate Colin Klimitcheck by 4 points, knocking me out of the team round. Even though this seemed like a bad thing at the time, I now realize that placing second for my country motivated me to shoot even better the next day during the elimination rounds.

Unlike target archery, the eliminations in field are shot by the top 16 after the two days of qualification. The top 16 shoot 12 marked targets, then are cut to the top 8, who then shoot 8 targets, who are then cut to the top 4. After the top 4 are selected, the semifinalists shoot a head to head match that consists of 4 targets. These decide who shoots in which medal match. Fortunately for me, my elimination day was where everything came together. I shot better than I had on the previous day and qualified 1st after each cut. I had made it to the gold medal match!

I am generally a very calm and collected shooter, but when I stepped out onto the finals venue, I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. I tried to stay as composed as possible and tried to make good shots. Unfortunately, no matter how good my shots were, all of my arrows landed just outside of the higher scoring ring. I had to settle for silver on that day.

Although I was slightly disappointed that I did not win the gold medal, I know that this event gave me more than a shiny medal, it gave me valuable experience that I will take with me for the rest of my shooting career.

Plus second in the world is still pretty good ;)