Shooting and archery are high-profile sports around the world that require exceptional precision and concentration, so many people mistakenly believe that these athletes must have excellent eyesight.

However, this is not the case. This article debunks this myth, and looks at the vision requirements of shooting archery athletes and how they can perform well in competition.

What shooting and archery have in common

Shooting and archery are two sports that share some common characteristics. They are both extremely precise sports. Athletes need to concentrate and master steady movements to accurately hit the target with bullets or arrows.

This requires athletes to have good hand-eye coordination and concentration, traits associated with good vision.

However, this does not mean that every shooting and archery athlete must have perfect vision. Many world-class athletes have some vision challenges but compensate for these deficiencies in other ways.

Vision requirements are not absolute

In shooting and archery, vision requirements are relatively relaxed. This is not to say that good vision is completely unnecessary, but it does mean that athletes can compensate to some extent for lack of vision in other ways.

Auxiliary equipment

Shooting and archery athletes can use a variety of assistive devices to help them aim and shoot. These devices include scopes, magnifiers, front sights, and threaded supports, among others. These devices can greatly enhance an athlete's aiming accuracy, reducing reliance on good vision.

Training and technology

Training plays a vital role in shooting and archery events. Athletes gradually develop superior technique and precise aiming through repeated practice and carefully planned training plans.

This means that even if vision is not optimal, athletes can still train to improve their performance.

psychological quality

Shooting and archery are highly focused sports, in which psychological quality plays a key role. Athletes must control their emotions, stay calm, and stay focused in high-pressure situations.

These factors are far more important than vision because even if you have perfect vision, it will be difficult to perform well in the game if you cannot stay calm and focused.

Vision problems are not uncommon

Although vision requirements in shooting and archery are relatively relaxed, vision problems are not uncommon. Some world-class athletes face challenges in this area.

Myopia and hyperopia

Myopia and hyperopia are two common vision problems that affect a person's ability to see near or distant objects, respectively. Some shooting and archery athletes may suffer from these problems.

But with corrective glasses or contact lenses, they can succeed in competition. These glasses help them see the target clearly and aim.

astigmatism

Astigmatism is another common vision problem that causes light from objects to be poorly focused in different directions. Although astigmatism can affect the quality of an athlete's vision, proper correction methods can correct the problem and allow them to aim more accurately.

Successful examples

There are many examples of shooting and archery athletes being able to achieve outstanding results even with imperfect vision. Here are some successful examples:

- Im Dong-Hyun

South Korean archer Im Dong-Hyun was once a world-class archer despite suffering from severe myopia.

He won multiple medals at the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Summer Olympics, and set a world record in the men's 70-meter archery event at the 2012 London Olympics.

This achievement proves that athletes can still achieve excellence in archery even with vision problems.

- Matt Emmons

American shooter Matt Emmons is another example. He has won several medals at the Olympics, including gold.

However, at the 2004 Athens Olympics, he missed out on a potential gold medal because he aimed at the wrong target.

The lesson of this story is that although shooting is a sport that requires extreme precision, even the best athletes make mistakes.

Shooting and archery athletes do not necessarily need to have perfect vision. While good vision can help an athlete aim more easily, assistive equipment, training, and mental toughness are equally important.

Vision problems are not an insurmountable obstacle, and many athletes have proven that they can still be successful in these sports despite having vision problems.

Therefore, do not be misled into thinking that both shooting and archery athletes must have excellent vision, as their success depends on many more factors, including technique, training, and mental fitness.

These projects showcase the diverse and inclusive side of sport, where everyone has the opportunity to pursue their dreams, regardless of vision.