Two-time Paralympian Taymon Kenton-Smith announces retirement
Australia’s two-time Paralympian Taymon Kenton-Smith has announced his retirement from the sport following an inspiring period as one of the country’s best para archers in recent years.
The recurve men open athlete was best known for reaching the semifinals of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where he finished fourth, three years after being eliminated in the first round at Tokyo 2020.
Kenton-Smith then made more of a name for himself at the Gwangju 2025 World Archery Para Championships last year when he set Australian national bests for recurve open in both the men’s and mixed team events.
“Essentially, after my success in South Korea at last year’s Para World Championships, I felt it was a good time to call it,” explained Kenton-Smith, who sealed his place in Paris after winning gold at the Africa/Oceania qualification tournament – his only international medal. “My bow shoulder hasn’t got better and I was ready to go to other things in life.”
“Regardless, there’s two great para recurve archers in Stuart Hume and Thomas Holland who should do well for LA28.”
The 31-year-old from Queensland began archery at just six years of age and promised his grandmother at 14 that he would become a Paralympian.
He did that and more, successfully reaching two editions of the pinnacle of para sport, but it was the sheer grind towards Paris in particular that he revealed forced him to make a decision.
“Not going into details, I basically lost everything right before Paris, largely due to my drive for Paris I might add. I was all but couch surfing right before earning my spot in Dubai, relying on extended family and friendships to keep me going until 2024.”
“But I have new relationships now.”
Whilst Kenton-Smith may be hanging up the bow, he is still planning to travel internationally by completing an enormous hike.
“I’m planning a Grand Camino. I’ve already walked Camino Français and Camino Portugués but I’m planning a large one from Italy to Santiago, starting from either Roma or the Toe of Italy.”
Taymon Kenton-Smith leaves archery as the highest-ranked Australian in recurve open, at 50th.
With special thanks to Guille Garcia Avila.
