Vegas champ Wifler: “Train hard. Get there one day”

Lined up with 16 other archers, including former and current world champions, indoor world record holders as well as past Vegas winners, Alex Wifler shot three 10s in the first pass. In the unique Vegas Shoot-down, where only the highest scoring stay in the competition, the young American moved on to the next phase.

He shot another 30.

Soon, only Alex and Levi Morgan remained on the line. Even to qualify for the shoot-off, both States archers had to shoot clean 900 scores on the three-day Vegas round. (Thirty arrows a day at 18 metres, at a triangular three-spot face and scoring the big 10.)

“Shooting with such professional shooters from around the world was an amazing experience,” says Alex.Head-to-head, Levi blinked bigger. He missed the 10-ring with all three of his arrows, posting just 27 points, while Alex managed one 10, two nines. That one point was all it took: Alex won Vegas.

“Levi was incredibly humble and supportive. He has been in the shoot-off, I think, eight times. He is an incredible archer and a true rolemodel.”

Alex’s coach Mel Nichols provides some insight into his athlete’s success: “As a coach you train your archers for the big stage. You train to win and train to beat everyone. This means training more than you think anyone else is. It’s all about doing what others do not want to do.”

“When you have trained enough, train more. The most important person you have to beat is yourself.”

While obviously proud of Alex’s achievement, it did not come as a surprise to experienced mentor Mel – who said the young man trained hard enough before the event.

“Alex let his training and Vegas preparation do the talking.”

The top qualifier at the 2013 World Archery Youth Championships in China, Alex was only shooting compound at the event because an injury limited his ability with a recurve: “I broke my finger playing disc golf in Texas at a national team qualifier and had surgery on 1 May 2013.”

Alex shot the Gator Cup, a major event in the USA, with his compound later that month – before heading to the world trials at the national training centre in Chula Vista when his cast was off.

He made the USA junior team with his compound, went to Canada and set a 50-metre world record (356/360) then finished with two team medals and a couple of team world records at the youth worlds in Wuxi. But Alex planned to pick his recurve back up when he got home.

“I just couldn’t give up my dream of shooting in the Olympics.”

Back shooting recurve, Alex went to the world indoors in Nimes, France at the start of 2014. His shooting just wasn’t the same – and he came to a shocking realisation.

“My finger has not been the same since the break. It doesn’t bend as well or have the strength it needs. After France, I had to make a tough decision.”

“I’m now determined to be the best compound archer I can be.”

In archery a strong support system is one of the aspects that – for Alex – counts above all else. His mother coaches him on a day-to-day basis, while Mel acts as expert consultant from a distance. Alex credits him has an excellent coach, a friend and part of the family.

“We’re grateful for everything Mel does for us,” he admits.

For the new Vegas Champion, archery is life. He first picked up a bow at the age of 11, courtesy of his cousins, and says he was pretty much immediately hooked. After picking up a used set-up from his local archery shop, Alex starting competing right away.

“My first competition was 10 years ago in Vegas, so it’s funny it’s come full circle,” he jokes. “I remember watching the shoot-off the first time thinking I want to train hard and be there one day.”

The iO Chicago student has not just been there, he’s won it.