Photo: Karen Demelo
Karen Demelo has been selected to the Canadian team for the 2024 3D World Archery Championships.
A Kelowna woman has been selected to represent Canada at the 2024 3D World Archery Championships in Mokrice, Slovenia.
International 3D archery competitions take place every two years. 3D archery is the discipline of shooting at stationary foam targets in the shape of different animals that are arranged on a course at different distances, heights and angles.
Karen Demelo, 60, of Kelowna, will compete in the Traditional Women’s division along with Katie Britton, also of BC, Trudy Dryden, NB, and reserve player Bernice Gordon.
“I am very honored. In my entire life I never thought I would be in this position.”
Demelo says she started 3D archery 10 years ago and has gotten better and better. In fact, she did so well that she decided to drop out of the master class and compete against the younger women.
“I have to say I have definitely improved and you know I have to say a big thank you to Katie and Mark Britton, they have been very helpful and given me pointers.”
Demelo says the sport is very social and she spends most of her free time traveling from event to event and training during the summer months Oceola Fish and Game Club in Lake Country when she’s not competing.
“There is no one shooting competitively in Kelowna at the moment. That’s why I’m kind of on my own in my club. Archery is a mental game in many ways, you try to do your best and you try.” “You have to improve your skills every time so it’s a mental game,” says Demelo.
The 3D World Archery Championships 2024 will take place from September 30th to October 6th in Mokrice, Slovenia.
The team was selected following last summer’s Canadian Championships and features a strong mix of experienced international competitors as well as athletes like Demelo, who will be representing Canada on an international stage for the first time.
A total of 18 athletes will travel to shoot in the eight competition categories.
“I’m pretty excited. I am completely new to this level of archery. It’s like I’m saying it’s a big honor and I’m a little bit scared. But you know, I’m not the only one here and BC is.” “quite a 3D powerhouse,” says Demelo.
“Gamer. Introvert. Problem solver. Creator. Thinker. Lifelong food evangelist. Alcohol advocate.”