This week, it’s… Ryan Tyack, who made his Olympic debut at Rio 2016, after being the alternate for the Australian men’s team for both Beijing 2008 - at just 17 - and London 2012.
With teammates Alec Potts and Taylor Worth, Ryan wrote another chapter in the Australian Olympic archery team’s history when they beat China in the bronze medal match in Rio's Sambodromo. They secured the nation its first medal of the 2016 Games, as well as Australia’s first team podium in the Olympic archery competition.
The nation had previously claimed two individual Olympic archery medals: Simon Fairweather’s gold at Sydney 2000, on home soil, and Tim Cuddihy's bronze in Athens, four years later.
1. What was your favourite toy as a kid?
As a kid my favourite toys were actually computer games.
I started archery because of playing Age of Empires.
2. If you could choose one superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation, or ability to travel fast…
Just so I don't have to deal with jet lag and long transits.
3. What is your biggest strength in archery?
It would have to be self-belief.
4. If you were to design your own bow, what would you call it?
I haven't really thought about what I would name a bow, but it would have to be a name that stands out amongst other brands and names, but also gives a buyer an idea of how well it would shoot.
5. How much weight on your stabilisers?
On my bow and stabilisers, I have up to 37oz of weight.
6. Any equipment you change in the wind and/or rain?
Usually I change nothing for the wind and rain, I try to keep things the same as much as possible.
However, I may add a hood to protect my scope from the rain drops.
7. What did you enjoy most in Rio?
The whole Rio experience was amazing, unlike anything I have experienced before. But you can never take away the moment of receiving your first Olympic medal!
8. Do you have a special dream?
I guess the dream was answered by our Olympic medal two months ago… (laughs)
I’m just taking each day as it comes for now.
9. Will you use fat or thin arrows for indoors?
For indoor my usual arrows are the Easton X23 shafts.
They have been one of the best arrows for over 50 years now.
