The USA’s Hardy Ward, winner of the 1969 World Archery Championships in Valley Forge, died in Hong Kong in May at the age of 68.
Ward was born in Texas in 1949 and represented the USA at the 1967 worlds before, two years later, shooting the world’s first 1220+ 1440 Round and winning the tournament at the age of 20.
Although he never shot at the Olympic Games, missing the team when archery was reintroduced to the programme in 1972, Ward left an indelible mark on the archery world.
Famed bow designer Earl Hoyt recalled that Ward was the first archer to win a US national title with a clicker on his bow.
He also went on to found a company that made metal products for the archery and tennis industries, counting Easton among his clients.
Ward eventually became an archery coach and dedicated much of his life to growing the sport at the grassroots level.
Content via USA Archery. Header image from an article featured in 11 August 1969 issue of Sports Illustrated.
