By Nolan Kowal, Sport Performance Specialist
A year after the 2019 Canada Winter Games, here’s an update on our Team Manitoba Closing Ceremonies Flag Bearer, Austin Taylor.
When his older brother wouldn’t let him use his $20 bow from Canadian Tire, Austin decided he would go out and get his own.
At the time, Austin was just 13 years old and, according to his own recollection, success in the sport came to him pretty naturally. Now at age 19, he has enjoyed competing all over the globe.
Last year, Taylor was proudly sporting a Team Manitoba uniform at the Canada Winter Games where he earned a gold and silver medal. In August, he represented Canada in Madrid at the World Archery Youth Championships. He claimed silver in the compound junior men’s division.
The archer from Winnipeg is the youngest member of the compound senior national team and now attends college in the States. He tells us he is adjusting quite well to his new surroundings at Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky, and is busy shooting five to six times a week, usually two hours at a time.
He adds weight training to his routine as well and says getting back to school and studying has been more of an adjustment than anything else. Taylor’s calendar of events includes indoor tournaments beginning this month, then his focus will switch to the outdoor season before returning home in May.
We wish Austin all the best!
