Archery: It's a Mind Game

Copyright: Seven Bueno

By: Seven Bueno

There is something more than just the typical sports you play on the streets, or on the fields and country clubs...

Archery.

The sport is well known as a hunting game or sometimes a show like Robin Hood. I myself am an archer, and I fell in love with the beauty and discipline of the sport.

Unlike basketball and football, archery is a non-contact sport. Other than that, it also doesn't require much movement. It is purely the concentration of your energy and power on your mind, your arms, your eyes, and your back.

It is purely discipline. Practice day and night, not only through physical activities, but also through mental toughness. Competitions aren't really just for stamina. Archery shoot-offs are also intense and the archers themselves are put under much pressure.

Copyright: Geoffrey Divino

Why enhance mental toughness? If you are pressured in a competition, your heartbeat pounds faster. When you have a faster pulse, your arms shake while aiming and eyesight becomes blurry. Therefore, mental toughness is a big thing in archery.

My experience in archery was quite fun. I started off as a member of the Manila Archery Center, then represented the Philippines in the Philippine Thailand Archery Friendly Cup and brought home silver in my division, then currently a representative of the city of Makati in the Regional Meet of the the Philippines (aka Palarong Pangrehiyon ng NCR).

Do I aim to be part of the Olympics someday? Why not!?! Although I am far away from the Olympics, and Southeast Asian games, I do believe that with a lot of training, someday it can be possible.

Anyways, it's really just in the brain.

Copyright: Seven Bueno

I've gone through several coaches of different nationalities. All they tell me? "It's just in the head!" or "Nasa isip mo lang yan!" or "ilgo!" and even "tête dans le jeu". Whatever language it is, or whatever challenge you face, push through it and think positive. That's one of the life lessons I've learned in archery.

Archery? It's truly a mind game.