Teacher From Arizona Wins The World Archery Championship – With One Arm
Meet Eric Bennett, the teacher from Arizona that just took home the gold medal at the Archery World Championship in Germany. When Eric Bennett was only 15 he was hit by a drunk driver and lost his right arm. His bow is complex and built with a series of mechanisms that allow his teeth and shoulder take the place of his missing arm. “The part that gets emotional for me is the journey of finally changing my attitude and realizing I can actually shoot a bow if I want to try,” says Eric. Eric Bennett is now on his way to the Paralympics, which is the Olympics for professional athletes with physical disabilities.
Eric Bennett – Video
Two time Paralympian, Eric Bennett, won his place to represent The United States at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. Eric will compete against some of the best archers in the world before bringing home a gold medal.
About Eric Bennett:
Via – TeamUSA
Name: Eric Bennett
Sport: Para Archery
Event: Individual
Height:
Current Residence: Surprise, AZ
College: Northern Arizona State University
Paralympic Experience:
- 2012 Paralympic Games, 4th place individual finish
- 2008 Paralympic Games Beijing, China
Career Highlights:
- 2014 Parapan Am Championships, silver medal, Men’s Individual Compound Open
- 2014 AAE Arizona Cup, silver medal, compound men’s team
- 2011 U.S. Team member, World Archery Para Championships – Torino, Italy
- 2010 AAE Arizona Cup, ninth place, Men’s Individual Compound – Open – Phoenix, AZ
- 2008 U.S. Paralympic Team member, Archery – Beijing, China
- 2008 Gold medal – Endeavor Games, Edmond, Ok
- 2008 Arizona State FITA Champion
- 2007 Fourth place – IPC World Championships, Cheongju, S Korea
- 2007 Gold medal – National Team Round, Colorado Springs, Co
- 2007 Silver medal – State Games of America, Colorado Springs, Co
- 2007 Gold medal – California State Games, Chula Vista, Ca
- 2007 Gold medal, Silver medal – Endeavor Games, Edmond, Ok
Fun Facts: Eric is a high school physics teacher and the boy’s head tennis coach in Glendale, AZ.