5 April 2009 - Dietmar TRIILLUS (CAN) Story

Dietmar TRILLUS (CAN) Story Santo Domingo – 5 April 2009   The reigning world champion and World Cup winner, Dietmar TRILLUS from Canada, talked to us about how he got to archery and how he started to shoot international competitions. Here is his story!   In the year 2000, I bought my first bow for the prime purpose to go hunting in my back yard. I joined a local archery club to learn how to shoot. Since it was the middle of winter where I live, it was quite cold, so my only option to shoot was indoors on paper faces, IFAA 5 spot and FITA 3 spot targets. When the weather warmed up, I started shooting 3D and actually started shooting tournaments in the Ontario area. I became so addicted to shooting that I would shoot at least five times a week at the club and everyday at home.   In the year 2005, I had an opportunity to shoot in our national FITA Field tournament and participated in this event. The event was about 45 minutes from where I lived, and I thought it might be interesting to try this discipline which I had never shot before in my life as I was a 3D shooter. The first day of competition, I shot a score of 358 and set a new national record and followed it up with another 358 the second day. For me this was a great accomplishment to say the least. After this a good friend of mine (Tim WATTS) was trying to talk me in to shooting target archery (FITA) which I had absolutely no interested in even trying. However, I went strong armed into competing in our Provincial Target Championships by Tim. He even picked me up at my front door to make sure I would go. I shot the first day and tied the Ontario record of 1364 which was held by Mr David BARNSDALE from the United States. On the second day, I shot a 1373 to set a new Ontario FITA record.   One of the things I enjoy most about archery is to shoot in the field beside my home and just lose myself in shooting, watching the arrows fly through the air and hit the target at long distance. Another thing I really love about shooting a bow is that it seems to be an escape from life’s little problems when I am shooting my bow and it truly relaxes me. And most of all, I just love to shoot.   After the Ontario Target Championships, I was addicted to target archery and stopped shooting 3D. I started shooting Field and FITA, shooting every weekend and started travelling to the United States for some shoots but mainly stayed in Ontario. I was setting Ontario and Canadian records as well as shooting the first 1400’s to have ever been shot in Canada. I was hooked to say the least!   A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to participate in the Canadian Trials to shoot in at the world championships. Unfortunately, I was feeling quite ill that weekend and opted to not go. The world championships were being held in Germany, where I am originally from by birth. My wife suggested that I go to trials no matter how bad I was feeling and told me that this might actually be the last time I would have the opportunity to see Germany again if I qualify. So off I went and got on the Canadian World Team. Now I had to find the funding to get to the world championships. Since Carbon Express had a new target shaft on the market that they would like to see in competition they help allot with funding this trip as well as Mathews, but this is another story on its own.   Luckily, Carbon Express approached me and offered me a sponsorship as I was, alongside Clint FREEMAN (AUS), the only one using their arrows. Firstly, I warned them that they should not expect any result from me, since I had never shot against so many top-class archers before. I had shot several competitions in USA, but had never faced the top archers in the world! They still agreed to sponsor me, which I gladly accepted.   With this, I had found a sponsor and was assured participation in the world championships. I was so happy to just take part in the competition, just thinking of enjoying every single moment. Results didn’t matter to me.   I got to Germany and the competition run much better than expected, as I unbelievably won the gold medal, and therefore the world champion title, which I never thought I would ever achieve, especially since I just wanted to have fun and never wished to get seriously into archery. Actually, I said that these world championships would be the last target event I would participate in, since I still had a family to maintain and the fun time had to end.   Back home, I passed through airport customs and when the exit doors opened up, I saw the biggest and worthiest award I could ever get ... my two children (10 and 12 years old) were there with my wife holding balloons and looking so proud that it brought tears to my eyes. That was the best part of this adventure. I walked towards them and asked my wife “What now?” She looked and pointed at me saying “You continue shooting!”   After this great achievement, I continued, following my wife’s wish and somehow got to qualify for the 2008 World Cup Final and again won the championship title in Lausanne... a dream come true! The best thing of all this and what I cherish from all of these experiences is that my kids see me as a rock star!   Now, one of my sons is trying archery himself, and I’m just teaching him that the most important thing is to have fun, no matter what the result is.   Although my principal focus to this day remains on enjoying the moment, I dream and aim for qualifying for this year’s World Cup Final and continuously providing my family with a better life!   Chantal STEINER FITA Communication