Photos by World Archery
BANGKOK, Thailand – Jason Tabansky delivered a podium performance to open the 2026 international season, earning silver in the W1 men’s division at the inaugural stage of the Hyundai World Archery Para Series.
Competing in the landmark event that signals a new era for global para archery competition, Tabansky advanced confidently through the elimination rounds to reach the gold medal match. The reigning Paralympic champion was seeded three after qualification, before defeating opponents from Hong Kong, India and Chinese Taipei on his path to the final, showcasing the consistency that has made him one of the world’s top W1 athletes.
In the gold medal match, Tabansky faced Korea’s Taejin Ham, ultimately securing silver after a high-quality contest between two of the division’s elite competitors.
The result continues an impressive run of international form for the U.S. archer, who entered the season as world number one in W1 men and off the back of a silver at the 2025 World Archery Para Championships, plus gold in both editions of the Americas Para Archery Cup..
Also representing the United States in Bangkok was Karen Sternfeld, competing in the para recurve women’s division. Sternfeld qualified 16th but - despite a strong start against top seed Ziva Lavrinc (SLO), a mixed team bronze medalist at the 2024 Paralympic Games - went out at the 1/8th stage.
The Bangkok event marked the opening stage of the newly established World Archery Para Series, a significant step forward in creating a structured, high-level global circuit for para athletes. Sternfeld competed in a deep recurve women’s field, while Tabansky’s silver medal performance ensured the USA opened the season with a place on the podium as the 2026 campaign gets underway.
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| EVENT | DATE | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| World Archery Para Series - Stage 1 | March 30-April 4 | Bangkok, Thailand |
| World Archery Para Series - Stage 2 | June 28-July 4 | Nove Mesto, Czech Republic |
| World Archery Para Series - Stage 3 | September 1-6 | Ahmedabad, India |
| World Archery Para Series - Stage 4 | October 13-18 | Santiago, Chile |
| World Archery Para Series - Stage 5 | November 6-14 | Dubai, UAE |
