In a landmark achievement, a South African archer has secured a spot in the 2024 Summer Olympics, marking the first time since 2008 that a male archer from South Africa will compete in the Olympics. This significant milestone was achieved at the 2023 African Continental Qualification Tournament in Nabeul, Tunisia. This accomplishment not only highlights his exceptional skill and dedication but also reignites South Africa’s presence in the Olympic archery scene after a 16-year hiatus.

The Olympic archery events have already commenced in Paris, with the ranking round taking place at Invalides. Six African archers are participating in the competition, showcasing their talents on this prestigious platform. The day began with the Recurve Women event, where South Korean archer LIM Sihyeon set a new world record with an impressive score of 694. Among the 64 archers, 18 achieved either their season or personal bests, underscoring the high level of preparation and fierce competition ahead.

Unfortunately, the performance of the African female archers did not meet expectations, with all three ranking at the bottom of the list. Guinea’s Fatoumata Sylla was the only one to surpass the 610-point threshold, scoring 619 points. Tunisia’s Rihab Elwalid ranked 62nd with 593 points, just above Egypt’s Jana Ali, who scored 573 points.

The men’s results mirrored the women’s, with African representatives also ranking at the lower end. Egypt’s Tolba scored 624 points, placing him 62nd, followed by South Africa’s Roux with 601 points, and Chad’s Madaye with 600 points, ranking 63rd and 64th respectively.

Despite the challenges faced by the African archers in the ranking round, the historic qualification of the South African archer for the 2024 Olympics remains a significant achievement. It highlights the potential and dedication of African athletes and sets the stage for future successes in the sport.