Meet the team: Brit birthday girl Tania’s mixed team

Great Britain has one of the largest teams at the World Archery Para Championships in Donaueschingen, Germany. Two of the team, Tania Nadarajah and Paul Browne, paired up to form the nation’s mixed team in the recurve open competition.

They beat the USA in the first round before losing to the European Champion mixed team Italy in the quarters.

Tania was actually a late addition to the squad, having been added after a teammate was forced to pull out with an injury. On team day in Donaueschingen, Tania turned 35 years old!

We caught up with pair shortly after the competition to discuss their plans for the rest of the week, mixed events being at the Paralympic Games and the difference between a mixed team event and individual competition.

Read on and meet the team…

You’ve just finished your quarterfinal and, unfortunately, lost to Italy. How do you feel about the match?

Paul Browne: “I put in some good arrows, I had one bad end but overall I was pretty happy with how I shot.”

Tania Nadarajah: “We did really well as a team and shot some great arrows. Italy didn’t really give us a lot of room for lower scores but I am really pleased with the team effort. We did well.”

YOU WON A TENSE first match against the United StateS, though…

PB: “It was very, very tense and that one arrow shoot-off is difficult. Luckily, I hit a ten on the first arrow which was a good start, wasn’t it?”

TN: “It was a great start from Paul and took the pressure off a little if I am honest. We have practiced a lot of head to heads and one arrow shoot-offs and I think that paid off. When it came to it, Paul shot brilliantly.”

How is shooting in the mixed team different to the individual?

PB: “You tend to feel kind of guilty if you put in a bad arrow and you have to tackle that issue so it doesn’t drag you down. That is one of the disadvantages of a team event.”

TN: “You have a teammate right behind you, talking you through everything in terms of timing and encouragement. We go in as a team and come out of it as a team. We were happy to have got through the first match and we did some good work.”

This is the third time a para worlds has included the mixed team, Are you excited to see it in the next Paralympics?

PB: “I am looking forward to the mixed competition but I am really going to miss three man teams. I thought that from the spectators’ point of view it was the most interesting to watch, but that’s the way it’s gone.”

TN: “The collaborative effort between the archers is good to watch. You can get some really exciting matches and you’re never quite sure what is going to happen, unlike in the individual events when you know it’s all down to those single people. I think it’s really exciting and there should be a lot more of it.”

And finally, what are your hopes for the rest of week?

PB: “I just want to continue to put in some good shots. My performance so far and today has given me some confidence for the rest of the week.”

TN: “We’re really hopeful as a team, we have some great archers and are putting in a lot of hard work at the moment.”

“Today is also my birthday and I’ve had absolutely great day. It’s been brilliant. We’re going to have a bit of a chill-out tonight with the team in preparation for tomorrow.”