SANTIAGO, Chile – USA took two of the six archery gold medals on offer at the Youth Para Pan American Games, in individual compound U21 men and compound U21 mixed team.
Ephraim Tonn-Bourg struck double gold, joining forces with Sophia Grayson for gold in mixed team, before he went solo for his and the USA’s second archery gold of the event.
Grayson was denied a second medal on Monday afternoon when beaten in the bronze medal match by Carla Veronica Candia Santander (CHI), 137-132. She met teammate Keira Cromwell en route to the bronze medal match, pitting fourth seed against fifth seed.
But Tonn-Bourg was not to be denied. He swept to victory with his best score of eliminations to defeat Gonzalo Alonso Ramirez Blumenberg (CHI) 144-137.
"I feel very happy and very accomplished," began Tonn-Bourg. "I've been practicing a lot these past four weeks just for this moment."
Mixed team success also came against the host nation, with Grayson and Tonn-Bourg justifying their top seed status with a 149-144 win. They had also scored 149 in their convincing semifinal win over Mexico.
For Grayson, this marked a first international award. With her dad in the crowd and mom watching the action unfold from back home, Grayson said, "My mom's been watching the livestream and she just called me in tears because she's so excited.
"I'm just excited to be here. I've practiced and trained a lot to get to this point, so I'm happy."
Archery was added to the program for this year’s Youth Para Pan American Games. It is one of 14 sports on show, the most at this event since its first edition in 2005.
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