The five best photos from the 2023 World Archery Para Championships

Inspiring stories meet incredible competition.

The 14th edition of the World Archery Para Championships finished on Sunday in the centre of the Czech city of Pilsen with 17 new individual and world para championships crowned over a weekend of arena finals.

With only a year to go to the 2024 Paralympics, the event was also the start of the road to Paris. The first 80-plus quota places were awarded.

Between the emotion of winning a world title and the incredible unity displayed by such a diverse field on the competition field, the para championships are fantastic for an inventive photographer.

World Archery photographer Emily Armstrong picked her five favourite images from the competition.

5. Patriotic display

In this detailed shot, Matt Stutzman nocks his arrow with his feet during the compound men’s doubles bronze medal match. The patriotic touches on his bow, stabilizer wrap and shoes add an extra flair to the remarkable display of skill and dedication in adaptive archery.

4. Resilience

Another armless archer in Pilsen. This photo showcases the unwavering determination of Piotr Van Montagu as he draws his bow during the compound men’s bronze medal match, displaying the grit and spirit of these elite archers despite the significant obstacles faced to achieve this level of international precision.

3. Much-coveted quota

The image captures the pure joy and ecstasy on Merve Nur Eroglu’s face as she secures victory in the secondary qualifying tournament, earning Türkiye a quota for the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

2. Home triumph

Czech archer David Drahoninsky radiates enthusiasm as he celebrates his hard-fought and triumphant achievement of winning three medals on home turf – in front of an incredibly supportive crowd.

1. Stand together

The heartwarming capture of armless archer Matt Stutzman cheering on 16-year-old Sheetal Devi as she claims a silver medal at her first World Archery Para Championships. Stutzman, the first international archer without arms, was coaching Devi earlier in the week.