GWANGJU, Korea – The U.S. Para Archery Team has arrived in Gwangju with confidence, momentum, and determination as they prepare to compete at the World Archery Para Championships. The event marks a return to the same city that hosted the World Archery Championships earlier this month, and Team USA is ready to take center stage.
Ten athletes will represent the United States across multiple categories, including a Paralympic medalist and seasoned international competitors. Among them is reigning W1 Open Men’s Paralympic champion Jason Tabansky, who will be joined by fellow Paralympians KJ Polish and Jordan White. Tabansky and Polish won gold at the 2025 Americas Para Archery Cup Leg 2 last month in Chicago.
Polish, competing in the Compound Open Men division alongside Richard Burkett Jr. and Ben Thompson, enters the tournament with a sharp focus following last year’s Paralympic Games.
“For me, the World Championships is a big deal, especially after Paris,” Polish explained. “I gave everything I had in Paris, but it feels like unfinished business. This is my next step, to move on, go win this, break records, and do it with even more confidence.”
Team USA’s Compound Open Women’s roster features Catalina Bustamante, Wendy Gardner, and Brandi Jones, bringing both experience and fresh energy to the championship stage.
In Recurve Open, White will compete in the men’s division, while Karen Sternfeld represents the women’s side following her recent silver medal at the Para Americas Cup Stage 2 in Chicago. Sternfeld said that event gave her a valuable boost heading into Korea.
“I think we’ve got a good team going,” Sternfeld noted. “It’s about peaking at the right time. I hope I can take the same feelings I had in Chicago and apply them in Korea, in a completely new setting.”
Also making her mark will be Janice Walth, competing in the Visually Impaired 1 category, adding further strength to the U.S. contingent. Walth was gold medalist at the 2015 edition in Germany, having taken bronze six years earlier in Czech Republic.
While Tabansky admits there was once pressure to follow up his Paralympic gold medal performance, he approaches Gwangju with a renewed mindset.
“At first, I thought everybody expected me to win because of Paris,” Tabansky said. “But with the help of sports psychologists and my coaches, I’ve shifted my perspective. I’m here to enjoy it - this is fun for me. I lived in Korea for three years while in the military, so it’s also special to be back, reconnect with the culture, and compete with friends.”
The Championships also bring a meaningful reunion for Tabansky, who will meet Australia’s Christopher Davis - the athlete whose injury opened the door for his Paris Paralympic opportunity.
“I’m very thankful for his sacrifice, but I was gutted for him. I know what it feels like to miss out. To see him back, recovered, and competing again - it’s great for the sport, and I’m looking forward to shooting alongside him.”
The World Archery Para Championships run from September 22-28. Official practice and equipment inspection took place on day one, before qualification begins Tuesday (local time). Keep up with all the latest scores and results, while there is live coverage of finals from Gwangju with a subscription to archery+.
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Richard Burkett Jr. |
Compound Open Men |
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Catalina Bustamante |
Compound Open Women |
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Wendy Gardner |
Compound Open Women |
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Brandi Jones |
Compound Open Women |
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KJ Polish |
Compound Open Men |
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Karen Sternfeld |
Recurve Open Women |
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Jason Tabansky |
W1 Open Men |
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Ben Thompson |
Compound Open Men |
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Janice Walth |
V.I. 1 |
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Jordan White |
Recurve Open Men |
