Born to shoot, Hemmati could follow in the footsteps of Iranian legend Nemati

As the World Archery award nominations for 2024 were rolled out in December, there were ultimately names that archery fans around the world would’ve expected to see in the nine categories. 

Recurve men archers Kim Woojin and Brady Ellison were no surprises following stellar years, including the pair’s memorable Paris 2024 final, as was Great Britain’s Megan Havers who qualified for her maiden Olympics as a 16-year-old. And who could leave out Matt Stutzman, the para archery pioneer who won gold in his final Paralympics?

Fatemeh Hemmati, however, nominated in the para women’s category, was a name before 2024 few outside of her country Iran knew of, and her rawness to the international stage will mean some still may not but there is plenty of reason to be aware of this prospect.

She was born to shoot.

“My father was a former military serviceman, so firearms were frequently discussed,” explained the 21-year-old Hemmati, who won two silver medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics in the compound women’s individual and mixed team events. “I dedicated countless hours to training, even practicing in the frigid cold of my city.” 

“My expectation was to become the best version of myself. My family and coach were incredibly supportive, and I’ve always maintained a winning mentality throughout my life.” 

Hemmati’s achievements in Paris deserve such a prestigious nomination and recognition in the sport not least considering the Paralympics was just her third international event following an Asia Cup leg in Baghdad and a para archery world ranking event in Nove Mesto, all in 2024.

Les Invalides proved her hard work away from the world junior stage seems to have worked when it mattered. 

She has been practicing archery since 2017, but the rewards she is reaping now is also down to a seismic ripple event that inspired many Iranian women and disabled people to pick up a bow. 

That would be the iconic Zahra Nemati, the three-time Paralympic recurve women open gold medallist and Olympian whose work off the shooting line is as inspiring as on it due to her far reaching social campaigns on women’s rights and disabilities.

This, and her success at a national championship broadcast on Iranian television was enough to change Hemmati’s athletic aspirations from gun shooting to archery seven years ago.

Although different bows, Hemmati could become a protégé of the Bangkok 2013 and Beijing 2017 world champion with Nemati now the head coach of Iran.

“It’s truly an honour to practice with a champion and legend like Zahra Nemati. I hadn’t worked with her before, but her presence in Paris was a huge help.” 

“She strongly supported and energised us throughout the competition. She was so inspiring to me; she is a legend in this field, and I hope we can make her proud.” 

Hemmati will have made her new coach already proud last summer, and Nemati has a super talent potentially on her hands to work with.

Nemati, Iran’s flagbearer at the Rio 2016 Olympic, Paralympic and Tokyo 2020 ceremonies, won her first Games medal at 27 years old in London 2012. Hemmati has tasted Olympic success six years younger.

To equal the record of Iran’s greatest ever Paralympian is a daunting ask to any aspiring archer in the nation, but Hemmati showed in 2024 that she certainly has the technical qualities to do so, and her youthfulness potentially provides an opportunity to even surpass it.

Her humbleness and ability to critically evaluate herself also makes her one to watch.

“It’s not always about getting what you want; sometimes something better is waiting. And even if things turn out worse, there’s always a lesson to be learned,” Fatemeh replied when asked what she had learnt about herself the past 12 months.

“I am incredibly honoured to be in this position, and I thank God and my family. Without their support, I wouldn’t be here.” 

It is not too uncommon to see hot streaks fade out quickly in sport or ‘one season wonders’ as they are referred to in football.

Due to several uncontrollable variables, there will always be that unfortunate chance to affect young athletes.

But Hemmati is in an idyllic spot as she gears up for the rest of her career. A loving, spirited family, an archery legend as coach and maturity beyond her age.

She may not win the 2024 para woman World Archery award with there being four other outstanding candidates, but she can certainly force herself into the conversation and many other important ones in the coming years if things go her way.