Bellis archer among rural competitors trekking to Namibia, Africa for World competition

Images submitted: Sam Mahon. 

A local contingent of competitors in archery are going half the world away this summer to compete in Africa.

A Canadian All Star team is headed to Walvis Bay, Namibia, in southwestern Africa to represent our country in the African Genesis Archery Worlds competition from July 23-26.

Sam Mahon is one of the accomplished archers from a local team that practices in Smoky Lake, who is travelling for the opportunity. The 18-year-old from Bellis is the three time running NASP Bulls Eye Provincial Champion, the 2025 3D Provincial Champion, and the 2024 National NASP Champion.

“I’ve trained my whole life for this,” Mahon told Lakeland Connect.

Mahon first got into archery nine years ago with his sisters. While he described he was “forced into it” all those years ago, it’s providing him a competitive outlet, and now to see parts of the world you wouldn’t otherwise get to.

Through his strong scores, he was recruited to the Canadian national team in the junior team category.

“Technically, there’s two different tournaments. There is a 3D tournament, which is shooting at foam animals. Then there is a Bullseye tournament, which is just a normal target at the bullseye. You start at 10 metres, three rounds there. You move back to 15 metres, and three rounds there.

“The bullseye, you go through every single target and shoot them to reach the finals. To reach the finals and win, you have to go through around five rounds of shooting, which is around 200 arrows each, 200 arrows for Bullseye and 3D. That’s a lot of arrows in a short amount of time. It’s like six tournaments in one day.”

Beyond this tournament, his experience could lead him one day to the Olympics, if he looks to continue competing.

For now, he’s wrapping up high school graduation, and working after school as a mechanic.