First world title just in time for Drahoninsky

“I feel very good and I am happy that my hard work is bringing me success. I know I can shoot better, and I will be aiming to do that at the Paralympics.”

David Drahoninsky is fresh off a World Championship victory - perfect timing for the Czech Republic archer with one year out until the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, which begin 7 September 2016.

Drahoninsky won gold in the men’s W1 category at the World Archery Para Championship on 30 August in Donaueschingen, Germany. He defeated Great Britain’s John Walker in the final, and the victory might put him back on the track for Paralympic gold, which he last won in Beijing 2008.

“Now that the World Championships are finished, I can start to relax a little and begin my preparation for Rio 2016,” Drahoninsky said.

“I feel very good and I am happy that my hard work is bringing me success. I know I can shoot better, and I will be aiming to do that at the Paralympics.”

It was the 33 year-old’s first World Championship gold medal, after a silver and bronze in the previous two competitions.

Despite admitting to finding motivation difficult for some events, Drahoninsky has not had a problem when it comes to tight competitions, such as the World Championships, and especially the Paralympic Games.

He won silver in the men’s W1 compound at the London 2012 Games, succumbing to the USA’s Jeff Fabry.

“I will train even harder to continue my success because I know my competitors will be doing exactly the same,” he said. “To be successful at the Paralympics is the ambition of every archer competing.”

Besides his own ambitions, Drahoninsky also wants to help his teammates, targeting success in the team events.

The Czech Republic just missed the podiums in the men’s W1 recurve/compound and men’s open events in Donaueschingen 2015. In the compound mixed team W1 and recurve mixed open, the Czech Republic finished sixth and 17th, respectively. They have 12 months to fine tune their kinks.

“We have some good archers coming through, and with the right guidance and commitment, we can produce a very good W1 mixed and men’s team ahead of future competitions,” Drahoninsky said. “I will do my best to be a success in Rio, but if I can help my teammates, it will be a great tournament.”

Tickets for the Rio 2016 Paralympics are already on sale for Brazilian residents.