Canadian Kyle Tremblay secures his Paralympic place in archery for Paris 2024

Kyle Tremblay has secured a Paralympic quota spot for Canada in Para archery.

He also has the chance to leave the Parapan American Games with a medal around his neck.

The 32-year-old will compete for bronze on Wednesday after losing the semi-final tiebreaker to Costa Rica’s Diego Quesada in the men’s compound open division on a sunny, warm Monday in Santiago, Chile.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Tremblay told the Canadian Olympic Committee about the Paralympic berth in Paris next summer. “It makes all my training last year worth it and puts everything into perspective of how hard you have to work.”

On Wednesday, the Deep River, Ont., native will face foot-shooting Victor Sardinia. The Mexican was left with the other Paralympic spot for these Games after the United States and Costa Rica previously qualified.

American Kevin Polish faces Quesada in the gold medal competition.

“Having a day in between will give you[me] It’s time to leave the quota [and] what I just went through,” said Tremblay, who will be making his first appearance at the Parapan American Games.

He also plans to refocus on his shooting process and mental strength in high-pressure situations.

Absence of 3 years due to illness.

In the semifinal, Tremblay and Quesada tied 153-153 after five rounds. Wheelchair athletes were given a chance in the tiebreaker, with the closest to the target being declared the winner.

“That last arrow is a matter of holding your nerve, knowing the shooting process without having to think about it and just staying focused on aiming,” said Tremblay, the Canadian record holder in the men’s open field. “Mine was just outside the 10-point mark, [Quesada’s] was in, so clearly he won.”

Tremblay, who returned to competition earlier this year after a three-year absence due to illness, earned a bye to Monday’s quarterfinals by opening the Parapan American Games tournament with a second-place finish in the round. qualifying on Sunday.

He recorded a 139-126 quarterfinal decision over Joffre Villavivencio as the Ecuadorian scored zero points for missing a goal in the second round.

Earlier this year, Tremblay won individual gold and mixed team bronze in the Eastern and Western editions of the Canada Cup Archery.

He also made his third appearance at the world championship and was Canada’s highest-ranked 61st before losing a close match in August in the first knockout round in Pilsen, Czech Republic.

Elsewhere on Monday, swimmer Jordan Tucker earned Canada’s 11th medal of these Games with bronze in the women’s 50m butterfly S5.

The 21-year-old finished in 54.70 seconds behind Estefany Oliveira (47.08) and Darlin Romero of Colombia (51.99). Oliveira’s time set the Parapan American Games record held by Brazil’s Joana Da Silver (47.55) since the 2015 Games in Toronto.

Tucker is an S4 swimmer at the Royal City club in Guelph, Ont., and was competing in the S5 category after finishing sixth in the 150m individual medley.

“I just did everything I could [in the butterfly]”said Tucker, who missed the Worlds in the summer with an elbow injury. “So far I’ve felt great. “I’ve really loved the experience here so far.”