Para archer Acee Green in action at the Caribbean Development Archery Championships which was held in the Dominican Republic earlier this month.
Born with two spinal conditions, spina bifida and scoliosis, Acee Green was prevented from being able to walk, but this is not stopping him from going after his goals as an archer.
The 20-year-old, with only a few months experience in the sport of archery, is already making a name for himself as Jamaica’s first para archer and earning one of the island’s first international medals against able-bodied archers at the Caribbean Development Championships, which was held in the Dominican Republic earlier this month. Para archery is the discipline for athletes classified with a physical or visual impairment.
“My experience was nothing short of extraordinary. I exceeded my expectations, especially after only training for such a short period of time, since March 2022,” Green said. “It was an overwhelming experience that I worked really hard to achieve…and for me to take home the bronze medal was absolutely amazing.”
Green took home a bronze medal in the beginner senior men’s 30-metre category, and said he would like to continue to grow in the sport.
“[I want] to be able to perform at my best and represent my country at the highest level possible,” the national archer said.
Individual growth is just one objective, as Green said he wants to use his platform to encourage people to go after their goals.
“I am participating in something where I can create change and encourage both the disabled and able-bodied communities to believe that anything is possible with hard work and dedication. I feel like I’m a part of a bigger picture,” he said. “It is a sport that allows persons with disabilities to participate, and being the only one in Jamaica who is a para archer at the moment, it is my goal to encourage other para athletes to come and try it out.”
He said the sport of archery has changed his life.
“The sport is really calming to me and teaches me to focus under pressure. When I’m on the shooting line I get that feeling of overwhelming excitement, then the noise stops, I inhale and then release the shot. That’s what I like most about the sport, that euphoric feeling,” Green said.
However, like any other sport, archery comes with some difficulties; with his disability being a factor; but Green said he is determined to overcome these challenges.
“For any para athlete, there are physical/ intellectual challenges that can interfere with being able to perform to the best of your ability consistently,” Green said. “The goal, however, is to be determined enough to use everything you have to overcome the challenges in order to achieve your goal, no matter if it’s sports, academics, or anything else in life.”
Read more at https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/sports/20220920/para-archer-green-shooting-stars
