Casey Kaufhold, the rising star of U.S. archery, is preparing to make her mark at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Known for her impressive skill and dedication, Kaufhold’s journey to becoming an elite archer began at a young age, thanks to her parents’ influence.

Kaufhold, 19, started shooting arrows when she was just three years old. “I got into the sport because of my parents,” Kaufhold told uInterview in May. “They both have done archery their whole lives, so I shot a bow for the first time when I was 3 years old.”

Archery is quite different from many other sports. For instance, archers shoot at a target that’s 70 meters away, which is about the length of a basketball court. The target itself is 144 centimeters in diameter. “We shoot at a really long distance,” Kaufhold explained. “Most sports have targets that are much closer. In archery, we don’t use magnification on our bows, so we see the target just as it is.”

This means that being able to focus on the target from such a long distance is very important. Even if the target looks a bit blurry, archers need to stay focused and aim carefully. “Eye focus is crucial,” Kaufhold said. “You have to be able to concentrate on the yellow part of the target, even if it’s not perfectly clear.”

Kaufhold’s hard work and skill have already made her a standout archer. She became the youngest U.S. archer to qualify for the Olympics at just 19. Her training for Paris involves lots of practice and preparation, as she aims to build on her past achievements and win a medal.

On Aug. 1, Kaufhold was knocked out of medal contention, ending her hopes for Olympic gold.

Check out uInterview’s exclusive videos with 50 U.S. Olympic athletes. 

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