22 January 2009 - Africa has its first 1400 archer!

Africa has its first 1400 archer! Johannesburg (RSA) – 22 January 2009  At the Mpumalanga FITA Star Tournament held on Sunday 11 January 2009, in Barberton, South Africa, Nico BENADE from South Africa shot 1405 points in the Compound Men category. This makes him a member of the very exclusive FITA 1400 Club and the first African athlete to break the 1400 barrier.   BENADE has been a competitive archer in the Compound Men category for more than ten years. He is currently one of South Africa’s top archers and 141st in the world. He was the first archer to break the 550 mark in field archery and was African field champion in 2008. He ranked 5th and 6th at the South African National Championships in 2007 and 2008.   “I would like to be a competitive archer for as long as possible and help to grow the sport in South Africa. I am working for a spot in the SA [South African] National team to compete in the FITA world championships in 2009. I am training hard to shoot effortlessly above 550 in Field and breaking a world record in FITA. The 60 club at 90 metres still eludes me, but I am working on it,” BENADE said.   Congratulations to Nico BENADE for this great achievement and good luck for 2009!   FITA Communication Source: South African National Archery Association
www.sanaa.org.za