In 2017, and for the second year in a row, Paralympian Jane Karla Gogel made Brazil’s able-bodied team, too.
The wheelchair compound archer, who counts winning the Para Pan American Games among her major achievements since switching sports – she was previously a Paralympic table tennis player – competed at the Hyundai World Archery Championships in Mexico City.
“I feel very grateful for the opportunity to shoot with so many good and experienced archers,” said Jane. “It’s a huge experience that motivates me to train even harder to get at the best level.”
“I’ve been watching all the top athletes competing here and have kept all the best in my mind.”
Seeded 57 with 670 out of a possible 720 points over the compound women’s 72-arrow 50-metre ranking round, Jane beat Turkish archer Aleyna Akcinar in the first round by one point, 138-137, before meeting two-time World Archery Champion Kristina Heigenhauser in the second.
“When I saw that I was shooting against Kristina I got a bit nervous and knew it was going to be hard. It was a nice match and an honour to have shot with her,” said Jane, smiling.
Kristina won the match, 143 to 140, eventually taking bronze ahead of world number one Sarah Sonnichsen.
Jane finished 33rd overall.
“Every result I get in competition, I always analyse it with my coach to identify what’s good and what can be improved. This was definitely part of my learning process and I will continue,” she said.
Jane Karla, Alberto Simonelli (who won a team silver medal with Italy) and Luc Martin were the three impaired athletes to compete at Mexico City 2017, which was held just one month after the world paras in Beijing, China.
Both trips were significant for 42-year-old Jane, who announced she would open an archery field in Goiania at the start of 2017.
“Sometimes life will give you difficulties that you will need to work on to get over them. To never give up on your dreams is the only thing that will help you get though it. That’s what I have done and here I am,” she said.
“I feel good when I win, so I will continue working to get that feeling with me as much as I can.”
The 2017 Hyundai World Archery Championships ran 15-22 October in Mexico City, Mexico.
