Archery has been around for centuries and has become a popular sport all over the world. In 2016, the number of archers — aged six years and older — amounted to approximately 7.9 million people. Archers of all ages all over the world have been working on improving their archery skills; some, like Oh Jin Hyek, even had Olympic aspirations.
According to World Archery, Hyek, the two-time silver medalist and winner of the Hyundai Archery World Cup, is currently one of the most recognizable intentional archers around, but it took a while for him to get to that level and it’s still not easy.
Hyek missed the Korean national archery team in 2016, missing the chance to defend his Olympic title.
“I was too focused on the goal and not the process to get there,” Hyek said. “I was obsessed with the fact that it was for the Olympics. I was disappointed. I was too concerned about the fact that I had to go. “After missing out on the team that year, I had an opportunity to re-evaluate myself. It was an opportunity for me to learn about myself as a person, apart from archery.”
While 44% of all emergency room episodes could have been treated at urgent care locations, there certainly are times when it’s much more appropriate to seek emergency medical treatment. Archery-related injuries, however, especially if the arrows themselves were involved, would require immediate professional medical assistance.
That being said, according to recent National Safety Council statistics, archery is actually more than three times safer than golf, with just one injury for every 2,000 participants.
As Oh attempted to improve his archery skills and become an Olympic champion once again, he began increasing the number of arrows he was shooting in training, thinking it would lead to better results. Instead, it caused a serious shoulder injury that he’s been carrying for nearly three years.
“I realized through this injury that it may be the end of my archery career and it changed the way I thought. I realized things aren’t always in my control but while I have time, I’ll do my best and everything I can,” Oh said. “All four of my rotator cuff muscles are injured. I’d never say I’d quit right now but it all depends on how long my body can keep going.”
Oh was able to return to World Cup stages in Shanghai, earning two medals (silver and bronze) as a team.
Additionally, in other injury-related archery news, a global recall of archery bows has been issued due to injury hazards.
According to News Channel 10, Precision Shooting has recalled archery crossbows due to injury hazard. The crossbows can fire or discharge unexpectedly, posing an injury hazard to the user and to anyone nearby. The recall involves all FANG XT, FANG LT, and THRIVE archery crossbow with serial numbers 2404285 to 2514039.
The serial number is on the bottom of the trigger grip. And the model number can be found on the product hang tag and on the box that the bow came in.
