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DoublIn a precision like performance Para-Archer Imalia Oktrininda dominated the 1/16 Elimination Round of the Open Women’s Recurve, W2, against the Republic of Korea’s Jang Moon Jo claiming the first set 20-16. Oktrininda secured the second set with a win of 27-14 before tying with Jo in the third set with a score of 21.
Oktrininda triumphed in the final set 23-18 to progress to the 1/8 Elimination Round with an overall score of 7-1.
That round saw her up against Italy’s Vincenza Petrilli, who proved too strong for Oktrininda beating her 21-17 in the first set.
Successes kept coming for Petrilli who narrowly captured the second set with a score of 25-24 before nailing the final set 25-23 giving her an overall win of 6-0.
“I’m happy with my shooting, I wish I got further so I could do more matches, as I would have really liked to shoot some more,” said Oktrininda.
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Marking her Paralympic debut and getting her second taste at an international competition she knew coming up against Petrilli who has a top four ranking was going to be tough.
“She has been around for quite a long time, it was going to be a challenge but it was good experience for me,” said Oktrininda.
It isn’t accolades that drive Oktrininda who describes herself as a late starter to the sport, taking it up at 38 years old.
“I want to see how far I can go, but more than that I want to show people that archery is a sport for everyone, it’s very adaptive, there are no age limits, everybody can participate, you just need to put your mind to it,” she said.
“It’s my form of meditation, you need to focus like mediation, I find it relaxing.”
When asked what she will take away from her maiden games Oktrininda said “there are a lot of good shooters out there, and I need to do a lot of international competition and prepare for all conditions whether that be rain, hail or shine.”
Petrilli went on to win the silver medal in the competition after a shoot off with Iran’s Zahra Nemati who took home the gold medal.
Oktrininda will be shooting alongside Taymon Kenton-Smith in the Recurve Mixed Team event on Saturday (11:00 AEST) after Kenton-Smith contests the Men’s Individual Recurve – Open 1/16 Elimination tomorrow (13:25 AEST).
By: Amanda Scott, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 2 September 2021
